Development of Two Test Level 2 Bridge Railings and Transitions for Use on Transverse Glue-Laminated Deck Bridges

The Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory and FHWA, designed two bridge railing and approach guardrail transition systems for use on transverse glue-laminated timber deck bridges. The bridge railing and transition systems were developed and crash tested for use on medium-service roadways and evaluated according to the Test Level 2 safety performance criteria provided in NCHRP Report 350. The first railing system was constructed by using steel hardware, whereas the second railing system was built by using glulam timber components. Four full-scale crash tests were performed, and the bridge railing and transition systems were determined to be acceptable according to the current safety standards in NCHRP Report 350.