Barrier Wall Variations in Texas

There are a variety of barrier walls used on highways and major roads throughout Texas. With so much road, Texas requires mass amounts of barrier wall to help protect drivers and help prevent damage to road construction projects. Based on regulations of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), only some types of barrier walls are permissible in Texas, but Texas does have more lenient regulations than many states, and most of the major types of PCTB (Precast Concrete Traffic Barrier) available throughout the U.S. are permisseable in Texas. Here is a quick overview of barrier wall variations in the Lone Star State:

Jersey Barrier

This is the most common kind of PCTB (Precast Concrete Traffic Barrier). used Jersey barrier wall was first engineered in New Jersey in the 1950s, hence the name, and has been popular throughout the country since. Jersey barriers are specifically designed to minimize damage to vehicles in the event of collisions thanks to their lower sloped faces, which allow car tires to ride up their walls. Their design and shape also helps prevent a vehicle that hits them from bouncing off and swerving into another lane. Jersey barriers come in several different sizes, making them ideal for a variety of road conditions. Sometimes, you may hear water-filled plastic barriers referred to as jersey barriers if they meet shape requirements.

Texas Barrier

Usually between 5 and 10-feet tall, Texas barriers come with the advantage of a rectangular ledge that helps prevent destruction to both vehicles and the barrier wall itself. They’re shaped very similarly to Alaska Barrier, which is the tallest type of PCTB (Precast Concrete Traffic Barrier), clocking in at 20-feet tall.

F-Shape Barrier

used F-Shape barrier is one of the newest types of barriers, and it’s engineered for maximum safety. It has a special shape that helps prevent damage to vehicles beyond what a Jersey barrier can provide. The “F” shape of this barrier helps absorb impact energy, reduce vehicle lift on impact, and also helps prevent car rollover. You can expect to see more F-shape barrier walls in Texas in the coming years, as this type of wall goes above and beyond in terms of safety.

Single Slope Barrier

Single slope barrier consists of reinforced concrete that has a single slope in order to separate lanes and offer protection between them. This is the top choice PCTB (Precast Concrete Traffic Barrier) for roads that are being repaved or resurfaced because variations in asphalt height don’t impact its ability to prevent damage to vehicles. Single slope barrier is also great for use on curved ramps and ramps that are both curved and elevated.

Low-Profile Barrier

This wall type was popularized in Florida but has become increasingly common in Texas. It’s only around 12-18 inches in height and is used to shield cars from obstructions like light poles and trees. It’s lightweight and portable, but because of its shape, it is not suitable for heavy duty jobs or a suitable replacement for any of the other options listed above. It does not meet regulations for many situations and placements on the road but works for small-scale jobs.

The types of barrier walls listed above help keep Texas drivers safe and help road projects accomplish their goals. Barrier walls have saved countless lives across the U.S. and Texas, and innovations in barrier wall design like those seen in F-Shape barrier and constant slope barrier are impressive feats. It will be exciting to see what innovations in barrier wall construction happen in the coming years and hit the Texas highways and roads.

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