Precast Concrete Barriers for Safe Tunnels & Bridges

In the United States and many parts of the world, the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) serves as the benchmark for evaluating longitudinal barrier systems. Ensuring the safety of road users is a top priority, especially on bridges and in tunnels, where the risks and constraints are strikingly present.

Safety Risks on Bridges and in Tunnels

Bridges and tunnels are vital components of the national transportation network, enabling the continuous flow of people and goods. However, they also represent bottlenecks in road infrastructure. Their structural limitations, confined spaces, and lack of alternate routes make them highly vulnerable in the event of an accident. Crashes in these areas are often more severe due to reduced emergency access, limited escape options, and elevated risks such as fire and structural compromise.

Deploying effective longitudinal barrier systems in such environments presents unique challenges. Traditional safety barriers often require more space than what is available in tunnels and on bridges. Additionally, infrastructure constraints may prevent permanent anchoring solutions. Maintenance or construction work in these areas cannot afford extended lane closures or long installation periods, making flexibility and speed essential. Moreover, safety systems must be scalable to meet different impact levels, from light vehicles to heavy trucks.

MASH-Compliant REBLOC Barriers

REBLOC offers a range of temporary and permanent precast concrete barrier solutions that address these exact challenges. Compliant with MASH standards from Test Level 3 (TL3) to Test Level 5 (TL5), REBLOC concrete barriers provide tailored protection for various traffic conditions and vehicle types. These systems are designed specifically for use in confined and sensitive locations such as tunnels and bridges.

REBLOC concrete barriers feature a narrow footprint that makes them ideal for environments with limited space. On bridges, freestanding variants eliminate the need for drilling or anchoring into the bridge deck, preserving structural integrity. Their stability and performance are proven even without fixed installations, allowing for effective containment of vehicles while maintaining infrastructure integrity.

In tunnel environments, every inch of space counts. REBLOC concrete barriers are designed to provide high containment with minimal space usage. Moreover, the barriers can be installed quickly and efficiently (freestanding and anchored variants), reducing downtime and limiting the disruption of tunnel operations.

A unique feature of the REBLOC systems is the proprietary coupling system without any loose parts that provides exceptional ease of deployment. These barriers can be installed and removed rapidly, which is essential in minimizing traffic disruption and enhancing the safety of road crews during setup. This feature is particularly advantageous in temporary traffic management situations or emergency deployments.

Scalable Protection from TL3 to TL5

With systems tested to meet MASH TL3, TL4, and TL5 requirements, REBLOC can provide the right level of protection for any scenario. TL3 systems are ideal for standard passenger vehicle containment, while TL4 and TL5 systems are engineered for impacts involving medium to heavy vehicles. This scalability ensures that safety solutions can be tailored to meet the specific risk profiles of different bridge and tunnel projects.

As traffic volumes grow and infrastructure ages, bridges and tunnels become increasingly critical and vulnerable elements of the U.S. road system. Addressing the safety challenges they present requires innovative and adaptable solutions. MASH-compliant REBLOC concrete barriers offer a strategic response to these challenges, combining high performance with space efficiency and rapid deployment. By integrating such systems into infrastructure planning and maintenance, stakeholders can significantly enhance safety while minimizing operational disruptions.

Author:
REBLOC Inc.
1000 N West Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
www.rebloc.com
[email protected]