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WK13074 New Terminology for Standard Test Method for Crash Testing of Low Speed Pedestrian Barriers

Developed by Subcommittee: F12.10
See Related Work by this Subcommittee
Date Initiated: 10-24-2006

1. Scope

1.1 This test method provides for lower speed vehcle and surogate testing for bariers used to secure entrances or exposed frontage from intentional or accidental vehicle incursions and impacts. This could include bollards, barriers, gates, planters, etc. Property owners or responsible agencies may select different levels of resistance depending on pedestrian exposure, traffic speed, presumption of public safety, or other site specific requirements. 1.2 Compliance with these test procedures establishes a measure of performance but does not render any perimeter barrier invulnerable to vehicle penetration. Caution should be exercised in interpreting test findings and in extrapolating results to other than test conditions. While computer simulations are powerful tools that are useful in the development of new and improved barriers or in estimating performance under differing conditions, use of only the results from computer simulation for fielding a product is strongly discouraged. When performing a test, developers and users are encouraged to address specific or unusual site conditions as needed. Often local terrain features, soil conditions, climate or other items will dictate special needs at specific locations. Therefore, if site conditions are likely to degrade a barriers performance, the agency in need of a perimeter barrier should require testing with the specific site conditions replicated for surrogate or full-scale crash testing. 1.3 Product/design certification under this test method only addresses the ability of the barrier to withstand the impact of the test vehicle. It does not represent an endorsement of the product/design or address its operational suitability. 1.4 The values in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values shown in parentheses are for information only. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A majority of applications for barriers is to protect people or property from accidental or intentional vehicle incursions. One example is protecting pedestrians or students from vehicles on adjacent surface streets. Another example is protecting store fronts or mall entrances from vehicles which might approach at high speed due to operator pedal error. Anti-ram and security applications also need to be addressed, for those times when vehicles are employed as a means to gain illegal access. Currently no testing standards exist, and consequently, specifiers do not know what type of products to deploy and how to qualify either a product or a manufacurer. As a result, the public is left undefended in too many instances.

Keywords
pedestrian safety; employee safety; perimeter security; barriers; bollard; gate; fence; planter; anti-ram barrier; security barriers

The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.