Patent ID: 7104720

Claim:
A traffic noise barrier system for use alongside a path of traffic, the traffic noise barrier system comprising: a longitudinal barrier including: a front surface facing the path of traffic and configured to redirect an errant vehicle, a top surface adjacent the front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface; and a traffic noise barrier wall supported by the longitudinal barrier and spaced apart from the back surface in a direction away from the path of traffic, wherein the traffic noise barrier wall includes: a plurality of upstanding posts spaced apart from the back surface of the longitudinal barrier in the direction away from the path of traffic, a plurality of transparent panels supported by the plurality of upstanding posts, and a plurality of load-bearing transverse, relative to said longitudinal barrier and to said plurality of transparent panels, beams each extending from the back surface of the longitudinal barrier to one upstanding post in the plurality of upstanding posts for supporting the traffic noise barrier wall wherein in a region extending from the top surface of the longitudinal barrier to about 96 inches above a terrain surface of the path of traffic, the traffic noise barrier wall is positioned at a distance greater than about 34 inches from a vertical plane disposed at the front surface of the longitudinal barrier forming a Zone of Intrusion buffer effective to reduce vehicle impact with the transparent panels lessening a hazards from falling debris, vehicle snagging and vehicle intrusion.