The NHCRP - Report 350


    The BRIFEN Cable Barrier has been tested to European and US Standards. The US Standard is based on the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, witch is administered jointly by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the the Federal Highway Administration.


Report 350 was released in 1993 and spells out the procedures for the safety performance evaluation of highway features, including all forms of median and roadside barriers. Canadian Ministries of Transportation look at these testing standards as a benchmark.


For Longitudinal Barriers such as the BRIFEN Cable Barrier, there are 6 test levels.


Test Level 3 is the basic level required for acceptance as an approved barrier for the US National Highway System.


    The BRIFEN Cable Barrier was accepted as a Test level 3 barrier in April 2001. This tests required that the BRIFEN Cable Barrier successfully contain and redirect a 900 kg car and a 2000 kg pickup truck propelled into the BRIFEN Cable Barrier at 100 km/h at a 20° angle of impact.


Test Level 4 was achieved in March 27, 2005. In this test, the BRIFEN Cable Barrier successfully contained and redirected an 8000 kg truck and a 900 kg car.


The BRIFEN Cable Barrier was the first Cable Barrier to achieve Test Level 4.


European Standard EN - 1317-2


    BRIFEN is the most tested cable barrier system in the world. It has been test to the American as well as the European Standard.

The European Standard is EN 1317-2:1998, Part 2. Road Restraint Systems - Performance classes, impact test acceptance criteria and test methods for safety barriers.

This standard outlines the three main criteria for vehicle restraint systems;


1. Containment level

2. Impact severity

3. Deformation, as expressed by working width

Containment is broken down into 10 levels:


Low Angle Containment

    T1

    T2

    T3


Normal Containment

    N1

    N2


Higher Containment

    H1 - BRIFEN

    H2

    H3


Very High Containment

    H4a

    H4b


Brifen has achieved a containment level of H1. To be accepted at this level the barrier must pass 2 tests, TB42 and TB 11.


    TB 42 - the barrier must contain a 10 000 kg truck, going 70 km/h impacting at an angle of 15°

    TB 11 - the barrier must contain a 900 kg car, going 100 km/h impacting at an angle of 20°


Other Approvals include:

    The TL3 Acceptance Letter

    The TL4 Acceptance Letter

    The BC Ministry of Transport Approval and Technical Bulletin