W Beam Guardrail: A Critical Component of Highway Safety
Guardrails are one of the most important safety features on highways, protecting drivers and passengers from serious injury or death in the event of a crash. Among the different types of guardrails, the W-beam guardrail is the most commonly used in North America. In this article, we will take a closer look at the W-beam guardrail and its importance in highway safety. What is a W-beam Guardrail? A W-beam guardrail is a type of safety barrier used on highways and roads to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway and colliding with obstacles or hazards. It consists of a series of steel posts, connected by a W-shaped steel beam, and is designed to absorb the impact of a vehicle and redirect it back onto the roadway. The W-beam guardrail system is flexible and can adjust to different slopes and curves, making it ideal for use in a wide range of terrain types. The standard length of a W-beam guardrail is 12.5 feet, and it is usually installed at a height of 2 to 3.5 feet above the ground. ...