Development of a Precast Slim Temporary Concrete Safety Barrier STCSB 50 for Work Zone Applications

Selecting proper restraint systems for road work zone areas is essential in ensuring the safety of motorists and construction workers as well as preventing occurrence of severe accidents. Regulations surrounding these choices vary greatly with some countries leaving the discretion to the managers while others mandate the use of barriers meeting specific requirements based on how they will be used. However, some nations have very detailed specifications including requirements for barriers to meet specified performances with respect to their application areas. Identifying performance criteria and making the right choices will determine how well authorities and traffic managers are able to provide safer environments for their workers.

This paper summarizes performance requirements and development details of a precast slim temporary concrete safety barrier, STCSB 50, mainly utilized to guide the traffic flow and safely divide lanes on motorways. Having 50  cm in height with a width of only 24  cm at the base and 12  cm throughout its height makes STCSB 50 a very narrow and low profile work zone barrier. The design was crash tested according to EN 1317 requirements and its performance clearly demonstrated its robustness as a state of the art safety barrier for work zone applications. Its implementation is therefore recommended to protect both road users and construction site workers at work zone areas.