Racetrack SAFER barrier on temporary concrete barriers

Authors

John D. Reid, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Robert W. Bielenberg, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Ronald K. Faller, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Karla A. Lechtenberg, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Dean L. Sicking, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Ronald K. Faller

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Published in International Journal of Crashworthiness 18:4 (2013), pp. 343–355. doi: 10.1080/13588265.2013.794321.

Comments

Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis. Used by permission.

Abstract

Previously, the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier system was successfully developed and crash tested for use in high-speed racetrack applications for the purpose of reducing the severity of racecar crashes into permanent, rigid, concrete containment walls. The SAFER barrier has been implemented at all high-speed oval race tracks that host events from NASCAR’s top three race series and IRL’s top series. However, there are a number of racetrack facilities in the United States that use temporary concrete barriers as a portion of the track layout during races. These barriers are typically used on race tracks to shield openings or protect portions of the infield. Some of these temporary barrier installations are in areas where current safety guidance would recommend treatment with the SAFER barrier. Thus, a system was successfully designed, tested, and evaluated for a system targeted towards the most pressing need in the US motorsports industry, a system for spanning openings between rigid concrete parapets on the inner walls of various race tracks.