Bridges

Road bridge barriers have become a critical part of road safety strategy. The primary function of road bridge barriers is to contain and redirect errant vehicles, providing protection to and from roadside and under-bridge hazards. Over the past 80 years knowledge and understanding of road bridge barrier performance has increased through research and in-service experience. Combined with changing attitudes to road safety, this has led to significant changes to the requirements in standards for the design of road bridge barriers. The most substantial change to the requirements of Australian standards occurred with the introduction of AS5100-2004 Bridge Design.

This paper outlines the history of road bridge barrier design requirements in Australian standards, and the impacts these changes have had on bridge design and construction. Current Australian design and construction practices are discussed, and recommendations made that would lead to more cost-efficient road bridges.