Do I want a Barrier or a Barricade? What is the difference?

Barriers vs. Barricades: Essential Devices for Traffic Safety

In the traffic safety and work-zone industries, barriers and barricades are essential for controlling traffic flow, protecting workers, and ensuring the safety of motorists and pedestrians. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.

Barriers

Purpose and Function:

• Vehicle Containment: Help prevent vehicles from entering restricted areas or redirect errant vehicles away from hazards.
• Protection: Provide a physical shield between traffic and work zones, pedestrians, or other vehicles.

Characteristics:

• Structural Integrity: Built to withstand or slow vehicle impacts, absorbing energy and minimizing damage.
• Materials: Typically made from concrete or heavy-duty plastic, often filled with water or sand for added weight and stability.
• Permanent or Semi-Permanent Installation: Commonly used for long-term construction projects or heightened security areas.

Examples:

• Concrete Barriers (Jersey Barriers): Heavy concrete blocks for separating traffic lanes or protecting work zones.
• Water-Filled Barriers: Lightweight plastic barriers filled with water, ideal for temporary setups with substantial protection.
• Guardrails: Steel barriers installed along roadways to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway.

Barricades

Purpose and Function:

• Traffic Guidance: Alert and guide motorists by indicating changes in traffic patterns, road closures, or hazards.
• Visual Warning: Provide a visual cue to drivers and pedestrians about potential dangers or areas to avoid.

Characteristics:

• Lightweight and Portable: Easier to move and set up compared to barriers, facilitating quick deployment.
• Materials: Made from lightweight plastic or metal, often with reflective surfaces or lights for visibility.
• Temporary Use: Ideal for short-term projects, emergencies, or events requiring immediate traffic control.

Types of Barricades:

• Type I Barricades: One reflective rail, used for sidewalk closures or minor roadwork.
• Type II Barricades: Two reflective rails for increased visibility, suitable for street closures or detours.
• Type III Barricades: Three reflective rails, ideal for road closures covering the full lane width.
• A-Frame Barricades: Foldable and portable, used for crowd control or to block off small areas.
• Traffic Cones and Drums: Guide traffic through construction zones or highlight hazards.

Key Differences

1. Structural Strength: Barriers are built to withstand vehicle impacts, while barricades mainly provide visual warnings.
2. Purpose: Barriers prevent vehicle intrusion, while barricades guide and alert motorists.
3. Installation: Barriers require machinery for installation; barricades can be installed manually.
4. Materials: Barriers are made of heavy materials like concrete; barricades use lightweight materials like plastic or metal.

When to Use Each

• Use Barriers When: Protecting workers or pedestrians, redirecting traffic flow, or for long-term construction projects.
• Use Barricades When: Providing visual warnings, managing short-term hazards, or guiding pedestrian traffic.

Regulatory Standards

• Barriers: Must meet crashworthiness criteria and be tested according to NCHRP Report 350 or MASH standards.
• Barricades: Require appropriate reflective sheeting, size, and placement as outlined in the MUTCD.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between barriers and barricades is crucial for effective traffic management and safety in work zones. By selecting the appropriate device, you can protect workers, maintain efficient traffic flow, and comply with industry regulations.

• Barriers: Offer more robust protection, preventing or slowing vehicle intrusion into restricted areas and work zones.
• Barricades: Serve as visual alerts, guiding traffic and indicating hazards.