Wire (cheese cutter) barriers

[Max Preload]

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The Centennial Highway stretch of cheesecutter runs around several corners -- that road is quite windy -- so even relatively short disruption (say over 100m) would create more than enough slack to allow an impacting vehicle to travel completely across the opposite lane.

The grim reality is that cheesecutter is intended to be nothing more than a "psychological" barrier. It's cheap, easy to erect, but otherwise useless/lethal. Traffic planners probably believe that by sanctioning its use they can't then be attacked for not doing anything on "problem" stretches of road.

I get the impression it isn't so much a 'safety barrier' (since it clearly doesn't add any real safety where and in the style they've used it) but simply as a more effective double yellow line measure - no overtaking possible. So once again we're catering for the lowest common denominators, who in reality shouldn't even be driving in the first place.

[rwh]

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I get the impression it isn't so much a 'safety barrier' (since it clearly doesn't add any real safety where and in the style they've used it) but simply as a more effective double yellow line measure - no overtaking possible.

No overtaking or corner cutting. I do see merit in that. Just not the design.

Richard

[Max Preload]

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No overtaking or corner cutting. I do see merit in that. Just not the design.

Exactly. Just as easily achieved with a narrow median...

[Ocean1]

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The grim reality is that cheesecutter is intended to be nothing more than a "psychological" barrier. It's cheap, easy to erect, but otherwise useless/lethal. Traffic planners probably believe that by sanctioning its use they can't then be attacked for not doing anything on "problem" stretches of road.

So, a design intent effectively purpose built for the market then, given that the cheques are written by politicians rather than engineers.

Note that pet engineers are still required in this brave new infrastructure development paradigm, ya gota have someone to blame…


Exactly when did I get quite so cynical?

[Marmoot]

Just noticed this stated in LTSA road safety strategy to 2010

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/strategy-201...mentation.html

developing innovative, low–cost safety engineering solutions on the state highway network by trialling installation of median cable barriers to separate traffic flow and clearance of roadside hazards

Tell us again that it is NOT about cost cutting?

[Shadows]

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Quote:

installation of median cable barriers to separate traffic flow and clearance of roadside hazards

That would have to rate as one of the more contradictory sentences I have read.

[Colapop]

So... present clearly stated and proven statistics that WRB's are NOT the most cost effective solution... For every statement that is made or can be found we must present evidence (not anecdote) that refutes their statements...

[pete376403]

The new barrier just north of Melling bridge (Lower Hutt) is a real shitty piece of work, even by transit standards. The ground the posts are set into is about 300 mm LOWER than the road surface. Any vehicle, especially a high C-O-G SUV on tall suspension and big flexy sidewall tyres, if the outer wheels fell down into that depression and snagged on the wires, would probably flip right over the barrier.
Possibly someone in Transit thinks that too, as I've noticed that for the past few days a line of cones has been placed either side of the barrier -makes it much safer

[Ocean1]

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The new barrier just north of Melling bridge (Lower Hutt) is a real shitty piece of work, even by transit standards. The ground the posts are set into is about 300 mm LOWER than the road surface. Any vehicle, especially a high C-O-G SUV on tall suspension and big flexy sidewall tyres, if the outer wheels fell down into that depression and snagged on the wires, would probably flip right over the barrier.
Possibly someone in Transit thinks that too, as I've noticed that for the past few days a line of cones has been placed either side of the barrier -makes it much safer

Yes, interesting variation on the theme. Yet more of the stuff going in a mere couple of feet from the traffic flow. I live just north of that, and I'm watching developments with a close, (if slightly jaundiced) eye.

[Hitcher]

I see that somebody/thing has clipped the lefthand WRB on SH2 about opposite the Horokiwi turnoff. What's left is a great example of how useless this stuff is at stopping anything.

[Ocean1]

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I see that somebody/thing has clipped the lefthand WRB on SH2 about opposite the Horokiwi turnoff. What's left is a great example of how useless this stuff is at stopping anything.

Clipped as in impacted with? Or as in cut with malace of forethought?

Some of that new stuff had yet to be tensioned as of a week or so ago...

[MSTRS:Me]

Quick....someone get a photo or two of that.

[Hitcher]

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Clipped as in impacted with? Or as in cut with malace of forethought?

As in impacted with. Missing posts, carnage! This reinforces my view about the weakness of WRB being just before the convex apex.

[Drum]

The posts are supposed to be destroyed in an impact. That's why they are fitted inside a sleeve, so they can be easily replaced.

[Hitcher]

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The posts are supposed to be destroyed in an impact. That's why they are fitted inside a sleeve, so they can be easily replaced.

Which further reinforces my thesis that the way these things are installed, they are incapable of stopping a rogue vehicle crossing the median into the path of oncoming traffic.