The Versatile 70-Year-Old Steel Guardrail Survives its First Crash near Bochum
A nostalgic glimpse into the road safety evolution across Germany
- *
Celebratory milestone: Bochum collision marks first crash for 70-year-old safety barrier - Busy Street Collision in Bochum: 70th Vehicle Hits Guideboard Initially
Here's a story about a sturdy, 70-year-old guardrail, standing strong since the A40's edge near Bochum. Within just 3 days of its installation, it faced its first real test when a speeding trailer crashed into it. But thanks to its steely determination, the tragic encounter didn't have the catastrophic consequences one might expect. The vehicle, a bitumen truck, was saved from plummeting into the abyss and was rolled back onto the road.
The steel guardrail, introduced as a pilot project in 1955, was initially thought of as a visual "guide," elegantly marking the roadside with a vibrant band. However, after several accident analyses performed by experts in the journal "Street and Highway" in 1960, it became clear that the guardrail's significance went far beyond its intended purpose.
This guardrail represented an evolution from the so-called "Alpine crossing," which were crash barriers interconnected with wooden or concrete beams at steep points. The steel safety barriers, as seen in the United States since the 1930s, gradually replaced these older systems.
Regional preferences: A and B profiles
Two distinct construction methods, known as A-profile and B-profile, were introduced in Germany and remain prevalent today. These profiles are incompatible with each other, and attempts to agree upon a single standard have proven unsuccessful. Approximately 80 percent of all safety barriers in Germany are fitted with the B-profile, but Rhineland-Palatinate and some northern regions persist in their use of the A-profile.
Despite differences, both A- and B-profiles have proven their worth over time. Modern guardrails boast an extended "crumple zone" and additional safety features designed to prevent breaking, even under the weight of heavy trucks, and keep them safely on the road.
- Steel
- Bochum
- Germany
- Guardrail
- Traffic
- Federal Autobahn GmbH
- Vehicle
A Brief Dive into the Past
The specific evolution of steel guardrails in Germany has not been extensively documented. However, the broader context surrounding structural safety standards and the development of guardrail design provides valuable insights into the historical landscape. In Germany, like other nations, growing motorized transportation after World War II necessitated enhanced road safety measures, leading to the emergence and standardization of materials like steel for guardrails. The development of technical regulations (such as the German DIN and TRXV glass standards) highlights Germany’s persistent emphasis on engineering safety and regulation[4]. It is reasonable to infer that steel guardrails were standardized in line with these evolving safety standards.
Guardrail Profiles: A and B
Two predominant steel guardrail designs in Europe include the A-profile and B-profile. For clarity, let's compare their key features based on established engineering principles:
| Feature | A-profile Guardrail | B-profile Guardrail ||-------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|| Design | Thicker steel in an "A" shape cross-section | Thinner steel in a "B" shape cross-section || Use | High-speed, high-traffic areas | Lower speed, less critical locations || Energy Absorption | Higher, due to robust construction | Lower, adequate for minor impacts || Safety | Designed for greater vehicle containment | Sufficient for minor deviation protection |
A-profile guardrails are more commonly seen on freeways and high-speed roads, where vehicle containment is crucial. B-profile guardrails are more common in rural and secondary road applications, where impact risk and vehicle speeds are comparatively lower.
The Impact on Road Safety
The introduction and standardization of guardrails — including steel types — have undeniably improved road safety by preventing vehicles from leaving the road or colliding with oncoming traffic. A-profile guardrails, in high-speed environments, are particularly efficient in containing heavy vehicles and reducing fatalities. Meanwhile, B-profile guardrails play a crucial role in less critical areas, reducing run-off-road incidents.
Although specific DIN standards for steel guardrails in Germany are not well-defined in the existing literature, the country's unyielding focus on infrastructure safety—which extends to other structural elements—ensures that guardrail selection and installation processes are meticulously overseen, enhancing their efficacy in saving lives and alleviating serious injuries[4].
- Vocational training and skill development in the automotive industry, especially focusing on the fabrication of steel guardrails, could be a beneficial addition to community policy in regions such as Bochum, thus ensuring the production of safe and durable traffic safety infrastructure.
- Finance and transportation sectors might collaborate to explore potential funding opportunities for updating and maintaining the aging steel guardrails on Germany's Federal Autobahn network, considering the significant role they play in road safety, particularly during vehicle accidents, while promoting the usage of modern steel types and designs.
