Roadside Safety Research Group
This branch is responsible for evaluating the crash worthiness of roadside safety technology such as barriers, guardrails, crash cushions, bridge rails, sign supports and other hardware. The branch conducts full-scale crash tests on roadside safety hardware designs developed by Caltrans to assure that these designs comply with applicable crash performance criteria. It also evaluates the crash worthiness of proprietary hardware developed by others to assure that such hardware is acceptable for use on state highways. Finally, the branch provides support to Caltrans Legal in tort liability cases by conducting crash tests and providing technical assessments and expert witness testimony.
People
- John Jewell
- Dave Whitesel
- Mike O'Keeffe
- Larry Moore
- Bob Meline
- Ali Zalekian
- Christopher Caldwell
- Vue Her
Crash Testing Final Reports
- Type 60K (PDF, 3.2MB zipped)
- Type 50K (PDF, 3.9 MB)
- Type 80 (PDF, 6.9 MB)
- Type 80SW (PDF, 5.26 MB)
- Type 70 (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- Type 90 (PDF, 2.8 MB)
Contacts
- John Jewell
Email: John.Jewell@dot.ca.gov - David Whitesel
Email: David.Whitesel@dot.ca.gov - Bob Meline
Email: Bob.Meline@dot.ca.gov - Christopher Caldwell
Email: Christopher.Caldwell@dot.ca.gov - Vue Her
Email: Vue.Her@dot.ca.gov
Recent Research Completed
- Development and Crash Testing of an Aesthetic, See-Through Bridge Rail, Type 90
- Development of Staking Configurations for K-rail
- Development of Weed Control Barrier Beneath Metal Beam Guard Railing
Research in Progress
- Development of an Aesthetic / Low Maintenance Guardrail System
- Development and Testing of a Low-Profile Barrier
- Development of a Self-Restoring Impact Attenuator
- Crash Testing for Variable Speed Sign (Radar Speed Sign) with Solar Panel
- Compliance Crash Testing of the Caltrans Type 26 Bridge Rail
- Roadside Safety Computer Simulation
Roadside Safety Research Implementation Information
The following table is intended to provide links to details and final reports for research performed by the Roadside Safety Research Branch in recent years.
Crash Testing Highlights
- Transition Barrier
- Type 732S
- Type 60K
- Transition Crash Test Video (zipped, 6.5 MB)
- Crash Testing of Various Textured Barriers (PDF, 11.1 MB)
Must have Quick Time Plug-in to view the Crash Test Video
Transportation Research Board Roadside Safety Design Committee Reports
Crash Testing Final Reports
- Vehicular Crash Tests of the California ST-20 Bridge Rail
- Vehicular Crash Tests of a Nested Thrie Beam Transition Barrier
- Crashworthiness Testing of a Portable Maintenance Work-Zone Barrier
- Development and Crash Testing of an Aesthetic, See-through Bridge Rail, Type 90
- Development of Weed Control Barrier Beneath Metal Beam Guard Railing
Disclaimer: Upon further analysis of this unsuccessful Transition Crash test, the design was later modified to prevent vehicle rollover.