One effective way to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians is to install road barriers. Effective safety barriers prevent vehicles from veering into oncoming traffic or off the road, significantly reducing the risk of crashes.
Safety barriers are more than infrastructure; they are life-saving tools capable of absorbing impact and slowing down vehicles during collisions.
At Ozcast, we can provide you with efficient safety barriers for your next major infrastructure project.
Why Barrier Design Matters
The way precast concrete barriers are designed allows them to absorb the impact of a crash. These deform or flex when forcibly stuck, helping a vehicle slow down gradually rather than stopping abruptly. By deforming on contact, barriers reduce the severity of injuries.
Aside from absorbing crashes, precast concrete barriers redirect the movement of vehicles. For instance, these can help cars avoid steep drop-offs or pedestrian crossings.
Safety precast concrete barriers in Australia must comply with the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) and Australian Standards. These regulations ensure precast barriers meet the strict criteria for strength, performance, and crashworthiness under local conditions.
MASH guidelines have evolved over the past few years, taking into account current technology and the judgment and expertise of professionals in roadside safety design. MASH provides the following:
- A basis for researchers and agencies to compare the impact performance of various safety barrier systems
- Guidance for the creation of new safety barrier systems
- Basis for agencies to create performance specifications for safety barrier systems.
MASH also outlines basic performance testing procedures for road safety barrier systems, as specified in AS/NZS 3845.1:2015, Road Safety Barrier Systems and Devices.
Poorly designed or incorrectly installed barriers turn these into hazards themselves. Therefore, these standards must be closely followed to ensure roads are safe and lives are saved.
Real-World Data: How Barriers Reduce Fatalities
Although data specific to the use of precast safety barriers may not be readily available, the following statistics demonstrate the vital role safety barriers play in enhancing road safety in Australia.
- In 2022, Australia recorded 1,192 road fatalities. This represents a 5.6% increase over 2021.
- A total of 107 deaths were reported in March 2023 alone. This figure is 2.3% higher than the average for March over the past five years.
- Run-off-road crashes account for 30 to 40% of fatal crashes in many countries, including Australia.
- A study revealed Sweden, a leader in road safety, uses flexible barriers to reduce fatal road injury crashes on treated routes by as much as 90%,
New Safety Barrier Technology
Meanwhile, a crash test of Australian road barriers using recycled tyres was found to be safer. The Rubber T-Lok concrete road barriers were developed by the University of Melbourne and Saferoads, with funding from Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA).
The crash test involved driving a Chevrolet ute through barriers at 100 km/h to simulate a high-impact crash. The results showed that the new barriers improved safety, with a 10% higher total energy absorption than traditional concrete road barriers. Installing rubberised concrete barriers reduced the force of impact, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury or death and minimising damage to the barrier itself.
Case Studies: When Barriers Made the Difference
Concrete barriers reduce vehicle crashes and have also helped save lives on major Australian roads and bridges. Here are two examples:
West Gate Freeway, Melbourne (Victoria)
The West Gate Freeway is one of Melbourne’s busiest roads, with frequent crashes occurring across the median. The installation of concrete barriers along its key sections from 2000 to 2010, along with other major upgrades, has resulted in a decrease in incidents. Barriers helped prevent vehicles from entering the oncoming traffic, dramatically reducing the risk of serious head-on collisions. Concrete barriers topped with a wire mesh fence were installed in 2009 to act as a suicide barrier, reducing suicides by 85%.
Pacific Highway Upgrade (New South Wales)
The multi-million dollar Pacific Highway Upgrade was necessary to reduce the increasing rate of head-on collisions and fatalities. Improvements began in the early 2000s, which included the installation of concrete barriers to separate moving traffic from work sites. This resulted in a drop in crash rates. Moreover, investigations reported that vehicles hitting the concrete barriers were contained, which prevented dangerous crossover collisions. Other changes made included reduced speed limits, traffic control measures, night work, and the removal of overtaking lanes and rest areas.
What Makes a Barrier Truly Effective?
Safety barriers can only be called safety barriers when they possess the following qualities:
MASH or AS 5100.2 standard compliance
Effective road barriers must meet national standards such as the MASH and the Australian Standard AS 5100.2. These standards ensure barriers perform reliably in protecting drivers and pedestrians.
We design and manufacture fully compliant precast concrete barriers, each one engineered to provide the maximum safety required for Australian roads.
Impact-tested in real crash simulations
The best safety barrier is tested in full-scale crash simulations. These prove their ability to safely absorb the impact of crashes and redirect vehicles for total safety.
Our products undergo rigorous crash testing in our fully-equipped facility, considering real-world performance to help save lives and reduce serious accidents and injuries.
Durable and weather-resistant
Top-quality concrete barriers must be able to withstand Australia’s harsh climate. From sweltering heat to heavy rains, these barriers must never lose their effectiveness or strength, ensuring optimal performance day in and day out.
Our precast concrete barriers are made from high-grade concrete mixes and created using our advanced manufacturing process. These ensure they remain strong and reliable, regardless of the weather.
Quick installation with minimal maintenance
Effective safety barriers must be easy and quick to install to reduce traffic disruption, keeping roads safer ASAP. The best barriers also require little upkeep.
We create precast concrete barriers that are easy to handle and install, helping you save time and costs during placement and maintenance.
Choose Ozcast for Safety-Focused Barrier Projects
When you think of precast concrete barriers, think of Ozcast. Our quality precast barriers are used in major Australian roads and various infrastructure projects. You can count on us for effective, easy-to-install, maintenance-free precast concrete barriers to keep your community or establishment safe.
We are proudly ISO accredited, demonstrating our deep commitment to quality and safety in every precast barrier we produce. We are a member of the National Precast Concrete Association Australia and are recognised among leading forecasters, ensuring best practices and innovation.
We have a track record of delivering custom precast concrete barrier solutions despite tight deadlines. We can help you meet urgent project demands without compromising safety and compliance.
When lives depend on the quality and performance of safety road barriers, partner only with a supplier that has the expertise and dedication to quality. With us, you can guarantee that every precast barrier is built with precision and care.
Need high-quality, project-ready precast concrete barriers? Talk to Ozcast today about your upcoming road or infrastructure project.
