Abstract: Devices and methods for supporting guardrail terminal installations that incorporate safety end treatments such as the GET and the SRT. Preferred embodiments are described wherein guardrail terminal installations are primarily anchored to the ground using weak support posts that are preferably made of metal. The ends of the guardrail installation are secured to the ground using breakaway posts. In operation, the weak posts permit the central portion of the guardrail installation to contain and redirect the vehicle during a lateral collision to the rail member. The anchorage provided by the breakaway end posts helps prevent the guardrail from being excessively displaced, thus preventing the impacting vehicle from breaking through the guardrail. In operation, guardrail terminal assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention provide an improved support system for the rail member which is more forgiving than conventional strong post anchorages, thereby providing an improvement in safety.

Abstract: A guardrail extruder terminal includes a rail feeder chute associated with a downstream end of the guardrail extruder terminal. The terminal also includes an impact portion associated with an upstream end thereof. The impact portion is coupled to the upstream end of the rail feeder chute and includes an impact plate positioned to face oncoming traffic, a first side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned on a roadway side of the guardrail extruder terminal, and a second side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned opposite the first side member. The impact portion may include a top plate and a bottom plate, each being coupled between the first and second side members. The top and bottom plates each have a traffic side edge positioned to face a roadway that is approximately flush with a traffic side of the rail feeder chute.

Abstract: Guardrail installation designs are described that incorporate a box beam rail as the structural rail member. The box beam rail member may have an open cross-section or a closed cross-section. An impact head is provided to bend and deflect the rail member during an end-on collision, allowing the rail member to be deflected away from the roadway and out of the path of an end-on impacting vehicle. The impact head includes a striking face and a chute portion that receives the box beam rail member therewithin. In addition to bending and deflecting the rail member, the impact head may also include a flattening section for flattening the rail member.

Abstract: A head assembly for a guardrail extruder terminal device. A head assembly is described that is lighter and more effective than prior art head assemblies. The head assembly provides a throat that receives a corrugated guardrail. The rail is flattened by a narrowing of the throat or through combined action of the throat and a curved deflector plate. A curved plate contacts the flattened rail and extrudes it away from the head assembly. The throat is constructed from a pair of side members. The first side member is an elongated plate while the second side member is a short plate. The impact plate of the head assembly is vertically elongated and presents upper and lower overhangs that assist with vehicle engagement. In addition, the impact plate is provided with flanges on either side to help stiffen the plate. The head is also asymmetrical and streamlined. When the impact head is mounted on a rail member, the central point of impact is off-center with respect to the axis of the head.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preventing penetration of vehicles by causing the guardrail extruder terminal to contact and engage the frame or chassis of vehicles in a collision. In preferred embodiments, a guardrail extruder terminal end treatment is adapted for improved operation during impacts by attachment of a frame catcher penetration guard. The frame catcher adaptation extends below the usual lower edge of the impact head of the guardrail extruder terminal design in order to contact portions of the chassis of a vehicle during an impact at the guardrail end. In several embodiments, the impact head of a guardrail extruder terminal includes a substantially rigid downwardly extending portion which presents an expanded contact area, the location of which approximates the location of a portion of the vehicle's chassis. The frame catcher devices may be retrofitted onto existing guardrail extruder terminal impact heads.

Abstract: A low profile road barrier that minimizes obstruction to vision and the ramping and rolling of automobiles which may be comprised of one or more interconnected concrete barrier segments stationed along the road or cast in place. The road barrier usually lies substantially parallel to the direction of traffic, may be up to about 24 inches in height and has a sidewall facing toward the road which angles outwardly from the barrier base. Abutting ends of contiguous segments are interconnected by economic, easily installed and removed devices, which preferably comprise bolts with two threaded ends insertable through apertures in the segment ends secured by corresponding nuts.