Currently operational guardrail systems have been developed for 60-mph, 25-degree impacts with 4,500-lb vehicles. The use of design criteria based on this severe test condition has resulted in relatively expensive installations (e.g., high-cost terminal anchorage systems). For low service level roads, there is a need to determine the conditions under which less stringent guardrail requirements are warranted in order to reduce costs while providing safety performance based on demonstrated need.

The objectives of this project were: (1) to examine the need for guardrails on low service level roads and develop performance standards for guardrails, transitions, and terminals and (2) to design, test, and develop low-cost guardrail systems based on these performance standards.

Four low-service-level barrier systems were developed and crash tested during this project. The correlation of the crash test conditions with field conditions will take place as part of NCHRP Project 22-5A.