QUICKCHANGE moveable concrete barrier system (FHWA-OK-92-06) 2721

Abstract

Highway construction operations must often be carried out in locations adjacent to active traffic lanes. When this happens, both workers and motorists are exposed to greater hazard levels than would be the case on a "closed roadway" worksite. Project I R-240-4(324)000 included a situation where contract requirements specified that lane closures could take place only between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Both traffic conditions and the nature of the work on this project indicated a need for a barrier system between construction operations and motorists. A Quickchange Moveable Concrete Barrier (QMCB) System was purchased to .meet the requirements of this project. The QMCB Systen was evaluated by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Research and Development Division. During Project I R-240-4(324)000 14,600 L.F. of QMCB Barrier was produced by a subcontractor and used on this project. 88 separate QMCB barrier wall shifts were made during work on the project. A total of 393, I 0 I L.F. of QCMB barrier was shifted. Information regarding barrier wall shifts was obtained by monitoring shifts, and by interviewing ODOT Construction personnel and contractor's employees. During the study, numerous collisions involving the QMCB Wall occurred. Only 12 of these accidents were reported to authorities. Accident Reports were requested from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Selected items of information from these reports were analyzed. Performance of the QMCB System on this project was considered to be positive, both from an operations standpoint, and regarding its effectiveness as a protective barrier.