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                W-Beam Guardrail Repair: A Guide for Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel
fhwasa08002.pdf (1.3 MB)


A Guide for Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel



**November 2008**

Cover page

1. Report No. FHWA FHWA-SA-08-002
			2. Government Accession No.
			3. Recipient's Catalog No.4. Title and Subtitle W-Beam Guardrail Repair: A Guide for Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel
			5. Report Date August 20086. Performing Organization Code7. Authors William J. Fitzgerald, P.E.
			8. Performing Organization Report No.9. Performing Organization Name and Address
			10. Work Unit No.Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc
			8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 700
			Vienna, VA 22182-2626
			PerformTech, Inc.
			810 King Street
			Alexandria, VA 22314
			11. Contract or Grant No. DTFH61-05-D-0002412. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
			Office of Safety
			Federal Highway Administration
			U.S. Department of Transportation
			1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
			Washington, D.C. 20590
			13. Type of Report and Period Covered Final Report14. Sponsoring Agency Code15. Supplementary Notes: The FHWA Office of Safety Contract Task Order Manager was Dr. Clayton Chen. The Technical Oversight Working Group included Ed Denehy-NYSDOT, Tom Nutini-Franklin Co, OH, Dennis Randolph-Calhoun Co, MI, Gary Rohrer-Washington Co, MD, and Glenn Schulte-UDOT.16. Abstract Roadside barriers are a critical safety device as they shield motorist from what might be a more severe crash when leaving the roadway. Therefore, when damaged they need to be repaired so that they can perform this function. The purpose of this guide is to provide highway and maintenance personnel with up-to-date information on how to repair damaged W-Beam guardrail, the most frequently used barrier system. Three levels of damage are described and guidance is provided on the need and procedure for appropriate repairs. Appendices provide information on the resources (equipment, tools, crew, and time) that will be needed and forms for inspection and maintenance. This guide is an update of a document, *W-Beam Guardrail Repair and Maintenance: A Guide for Local Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel*, published in 1990 by FHWA.17. Key Words W-Beam guardrail, repair, maintenance
			18. Distribution Statement No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.19. Security Classif. (of this report) Unclassified
			20. Security Classif. (of this page): Unclassified
			21. No. of Pages: 53
			22. PriceACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This guide was prepared by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) under FHWA Contract DTFH61-05-D-00024. Ms. Leslie Wright, Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety, was the initial Task Order Manager; she was replaced by Dr. Clayton Chen. The principal investigator and author was William J. Fitzgerald, P.E. as a consultant from PerformTech, Inc., to VHB. Technical editing was provided by Dr. Hugh McGee, P.E. and Ms. Vicki Glenn and document preparation was performed by Ms. Michelle Scism, all from VHB.

A Technical Working Oversight Group was formed to guide the preparation of this document. The members included:

Edward Denehy, New York State Department of Transportation
	Thomas Nutini, Franklin County (OH) Engineer's Office
	Dennis Randolph, P.E., Calhoun County (MI) Road Commission
	Gary Rohrer, P.E., Washington County (MD) Public Works Department
	Glenn Schulte, Utah Department of Transportation
      
  I. INTRODUCTION: INTENT AND CONTENT
                II. IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND PLAN APPROPRIATE ACTION
                III. REPAIR SEQUENCE GUIDANCE
                IV. REPAIR RECORD
                REFERENCES
                APPENDIX A: ESTIMATING RESOURCES FOR W-BEAM GUARDRAIL REPAIR
                APPENDIX B: VIRGINIA DOT REPAIR GUIDANCE
                APPENDIX C: MAINTENANCE GUIDANCE
                APPENDIX D: CLEAR ZONE DESCRIPTIONBook traversal links for W-Beam Guardrail Repair: A Guide for Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel
      I. INTRODUCTION: INTENT AND CONTENT ›
                
                Book:W-Beam Guardrail Repair: A Guide for Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel
              I. INTRODUCTION: INTENT AND CONTENT
                II. IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND PLAN APPROPRIATE ACTION
                III. REPAIR SEQUENCE GUIDANCE
                IV. REPAIR RECORD
                REFERENCES
                APPENDIX A: ESTIMATING RESOURCES FOR W-BEAM GUARDRAIL REPAIR
                APPENDIX B: VIRGINIA DOT REPAIR GUIDANCE
                APPENDIX C: MAINTENANCE GUIDANCE
                APPENDIX D: CLEAR ZONE DESCRIPTION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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