Assessment of the Effectiveness of Different Safety Measures at Tunnel Lay-Bys and Portals to Protect Occupants in Passenger Cars

Ernst Tomasch*, Simon Franz Heindl, Gregor Gstrein, Wolfgang Sinz, Hermann Steffan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Tunnel portals and tunnel lay-bys are hazardous spots for road users. Different infrastructure safety measures are in use, but the protection level is not known. In this study the following safety measures for reducing the injury risk are investigated: angular positioned 4 m and 8 m concrete barrier, crash cushion Alpina F1-50 and Alpina <prototype> crash cushion. A passenger car equipped with a data acquisition unit is accelerated to 100 km/h and impacts the safety measure. The assessment of the latter is based on the EN 1317 criteria, specifically the Acceleration Severity Index (ASI), Theoretical Head Impact Velocity (THIV). Further assessment criteria are related to intrusions into the passenger compartment and post-crash motion. The best result in terms of ASI and THIV was achieved by the 8 m (ASI: 1.6, THIV: 30 km/h) concrete barrier. The crash cushion Alpina <prototype> showed good results for the ASI (1.8) but the THIV (57 km/h) was less satisfactory, while the angular positioned 4 m concrete barrier (ASI: 2.9, THIV: 53 km/h) and the crash cushion Alpina F1-50 (ASI: 3.3, THIV: 74 km/h) performed worst. Even though some of the measures showed good results, no protection measure tested currently complies with all the assessment criteria used.
Original languageEnglish
Article number81
Number of pages21
JournalInfrastructures
Volume6
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 May 2021

Keywords

  • Concrete barrier
  • Crash cushion
  • Road restraint system
  • Run-off-road accident
  • Tunnel lay-by
  • Tunnel portal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • General Materials Science
  • Building and Construction
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

Fields of Expertise

  • Mobility & Production

Treatment code (Nähere Zuordnung)

  • Application

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