Civil and Environmental Engineering

 

ORCID IDs

Ronald K. Faller

Date of this Version

5-22-2007

Comments

United States Patent No. US 7,220,077 B2
Humphries et al.
Date of Patent: May 22, 2007

Abstract

A crashworthy traffic noise barrier system for use alongside a path of traffic, the crashworthy traffic noise barrier system comprises a crashworthy longitudinal barrier extending substantially parallel to the path of traffic and a crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall supported by the longitudinal barrier. The crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall includes a plurality of upstanding posts attached to the traffic noise barrier wall, at least one panel supported between each adjacent pair of posts in the plurality of upstanding posts, and at least one longitudinal beam spaced above a top surface of the longitudinal barrier and extending across the plurality of upstanding posts for redirecting a portion of an errant vehicle away from the at least one panel. The longitudinal beams redirect energy of the errant vehicle away from the panels such that the panels and any fragments of the panels, remain attached to the traffic noise barrier wall. The panels may be transparent and may be reinforced with plastic bands, plastic threads, or a plastic net.

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