Good stir = DomPost Pg4 (7 Sept 07)

**Grub** · 7th September 2007, 10:27

It's all KB's fault of course. I came across the older cheescutter threads one day and had a bit of a read. Then as I had to pass the roadworks installing even more twice a day, I wondered if ACC knew about the amputation stats around them. I dropped them an email and BCC'd it (hehe) to the DomPost.

Faced with the overseas evidence, DomPost have taken it up as a cause and today's article is I understand just a tickler.

The stuff that got me motivated was
- Norway has banned them altogether
- Belgium is ripping a section out every year until they're all gone
- Victoria is looking at banning them
- The Netherlands has banned them
- In France they alll have to be filled in with a plastic tube called "Moto-tub"
- 85% of motorcyclists hitting these bariers at over 70kmh loose a limb

There's lots more but that's the stuff I passed to ACC and DomPost and it seems they've started doing their own research too ... maybe it'll do some good.

**Swoop** · 7th September 2007, 10:42

Nice work!

**Macktheknife** · 7th September 2007, 10:46

Well done Grub, bloody good effort there mate, let's hope they get the message and get rid of the bloody things.

**ajturbo** · 7th September 2007, 10:59

but they look so cheep....
why get rid of them?....
they stop nothing but limbs

**janno** · 7th September 2007, 11:04

Oh good job that man!

Thank you for being so proactive.

They scare the crap outta me, them cheesey things. They are going in at a rate of knots around Brisbane.

As I understood it, they weren't even that good at stopping cars from getting in to on coming traffic. Isn't it reasonably easy for the car to get over the top and keep going?

**Grub** · 7th September 2007, 11:05

Originally Posted by ajturbo

but they look so cheep....

Yeah they are, that's prolly why they do them.

Wire rope Barrier = $5/m
Concrete Barrier = $20/m

But guess what ... the UK has just finished a study which has led to them making the decision that concrete is cheaper in the long run because of maintenance and repair issues.

**KoroJ** · 7th September 2007, 12:49

I noticed yesterday...and it's a bit disconcerting, that they appear to be replacing the armco barriers on the harbour side of the Hutt Road with this stuff.

**WRT** · 7th September 2007, 13:08

There are quite a lot around now that haven't been repaired after an accident either, especially on SH1. I would imagine that a second vehicle hitting a previous crash site wouldn't be stopped all that effectively.

**Nasty** · 7th September 2007, 13:17

Originally Posted by Grub

... It's all KB's fault of course.

You make me so proud .. you stirring git ... LOL ... weird to see your real name in print .. but I guess it ain't gonna be the last time

**clint640** · 7th September 2007, 13:33

Originally Posted by KoroJ

I noticed yesterday...and it's a bit disconcerting, that they appear to be replacing the armco barriers on the harbour side of the Hutt Road with this stuff.

Damn right, They're popping up on the edges of some South Is roads too, Choosing between one of these barriers & oncoming traffic is one thing, but if it's choice between tumbling down a bank or hitting a cheesecutter, I'll take my chance with gravity every time thanks.

Clint

**Albino** · 7th September 2007, 14:03

For those without access to a Dom Post: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4192789a11.html

Nice work that man.

**sunhuntin** · 7th September 2007, 17:38

read the article at work today... didnt know it was a kber! well done! up here between wangas and palmy, they are putting in more armco barriers on the sides. some are nothing more than the wooden stakes at the moment.

**merv** · 7th September 2007, 18:14

I can't find reference now but I thought I read somewhere that Transit thinks these wire rope barriers are far superior (for cars and trucks that is) because they arrest an out of control vehicle by bringing it to a slower hault and keeping it at that side of the lane instead of a hard crunch against armco or concrete and the chance of it bouncing back into traffic on that side of the road (not as important here as on a mulitlane highway). Bikes I am sure are totally forgotten in this equation.

Rule number one team - don't bother crashing along that highway - it might hurt.

p.s. I guess Grub knows that Brett guy quoted in the paper pretty well then.

**R6_kid:Me** · 7th September 2007, 18:34

I've seen what they do to a car, and lets just say i'm not too keen on meeting one at any speed of walking pace.

I'd say the french idea is the best we'd get though, although ACC/LTSA likes to make it obvious that bikes are dangerous, they certainly don't mind making it more dangerous for us by not taking us into consideration when designing such median "barriers" (it's more of a fence!)

**RantyDave** · 7th September 2007, 18:43

Transit's general manager network operations, Roly Frost, said Transit had taken motorcyclists' concerns seriously - but international research showed wire rope median barriers were no more dangerous to motorcyclists than other types.

Perhaps we should cut one of his arms off?

Good work Grub!

Dave