Snoline SAB

Central reservation longitudinal side impact crash barriers on dual carriageways may often have openings or gaps in them at 2 to 4 km intervals which allow for the emergency vehicles to cross over.

The advantageous of these gaps is that they also help to divert road traffic when major accidents occur or major maintenance road works are underway. However the gaps when left open can cause major accidents because of drivers attempting to ‘U’ turn through them or driving through them to avoid a possible vehicle collision . Some drivers have been known to drive through the open gaps and continue to drive the wrong way down the adjoining carriageway with horrific accident results. If the gaps are closed up by extending the crash barrier across them then their advantageous to emergency vehicles and traffic diversion points to help with major accident and maintenance situations are lost.

The Snoline S-A-B® removable barrier can safely maintain these gaps. The S-A-B® is a special modular barrier which acts as a vehicle restraint system whilst providing a quick and easy opening mechanism. The modules are about 4 m long and are joined to each other by double steel hinges. The end supports are anchored to the ground and have lateral coupling connections to the adjoining crash barrier which can be steel or concrete. Each module is formed from a triple wave steel beam strip with a further steel longitudinal running beam that is designed to the wheels of any impacting vehicle. The sides of the module are joined by strong steel supports which include the mounting supports for the hinges and the removable frame posts. The wheel units are located between the sides panels and are lowered to the ground when the barrier is opened.

The S-A-B® is designed so that the modules can be opened singularly or in parts - to get a quick emergency route - or as a whole which can quickly provide a two lane traffic diversion contra-flow route for traffic. The S-A-B® removable barrier can be opened by 2-3 personnel in a few minutes without the need for any special equipment

The S-A-B has been the subject of a major development programme and it performs in its closed position as a normal vehicle restraint system. A crash test using a 13,000 kg bus (level H2) caused it to buckle by about 1 m but the bus was only slightly damaged which did not prevent the bus being driven away from the crash site back to its depot without any assistance. A 900 kg car crash test resulted in an ASI = 1 (level A) and no windows in the car were shattered.

The S-A-B® removable barrier meets the requirements of ENV 1317 –4 at the H2 and TB 11 test levels.

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