Jersey Barriers: A Comprehensive Overview

Below is an expanded overview of Jersey barriers—including both traditional concrete and modern water-filled versions—as well as information on specific products from TrafficSafetyStore.com . These solutions serve to increase roadway safety, direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and prevent accidents or unauthorized access. We’ll also point you toward official resources and regulations that guide barrier use.

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Why Is It Called a Jersey Barrier?

A “Jersey barrier” gets its name from the state of New Jersey, where it was first developed in the 1950s by the New Jersey State Highway Department. The original sloped, reinforced-concrete design was highly effective in reducing crossover accidents on highways. As its usage spread nationally and internationally, the nickname stuck, and the “Jersey barrier” became the industry standard term for this type of concrete highway divider.

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Traditional Concrete Jersey Barriers

1. Purpose and Design
   • Sloped Profile: The bottom is wider than the top, creating an angled surface that can redirect vehicles back onto the roadway or bring them to a safer stop.
   • Impact Redirection: When a vehicle strikes the lower angled portion, it may be guided upward slightly and then pushed away or slowed, minimizing catastrophic crossover incidents.
   • Durability: These barriers are typically constructed with reinforced concrete, offering long-lasting, heavy-duty protection with minimal maintenance.
2. Applications
   • Highways and Construction Zones: Commonly used to separate lanes of traffic, protect work crews, and reduce head-on collisions.
   • Perimeter Security: Often placed around government buildings, stadiums, and other facilities to mitigate the risk of vehicular threats.

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Plastic and Water-Filled Jersey Barriers

Overview

As construction, event, and traffic management needs diversified, lightweight, highly visible, and portable alternatives to concrete barriers emerged. These plastic barriers—also known as water-filled barriers or fillable barriers—are typically made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or similar durable plastics. They can be filled with water or sand to increase stability.

Key Advantages

• Lightweight and Portable (when empty): Easier to transport, deploy, and rearrange compared to solid concrete, especially in short-term or rapidly changing work zones.
• High Visibility: Often produced in bright colors (commonly orange or white, but sometimes available in other colors) for easy detection by drivers and pedestrians.
• Modular Design: Many have interlocking ends to form a continuous protective line, creating flexible layouts for various applications.
• Reduced Damage in Collisions: Water-filled plastic can absorb some of the impact, often minimizing vehicle damage compared to concrete. They can also be drained and repositioned as needed.

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Water-Filled Barriers from TrafficSafetyStore.com

TrafficSafetyStore.com carries a wide range of water-filled Jersey-style barriers, each designed with unique features to meet different needs. Four popular options include:

1. Jersey-Style Plastic Barriers Orange Jersey-Style Barrier
   • Classic “Jersey” contour for effective vehicle redirection.
   • Made from durable, UV-resistant plastic.
   • Comes in orange or white, with interlocking ends for a continuous wall.
2. Remcon Construction Barrier Remcon Construction Barrier
   • A rugged, heavy-duty design ideal for construction sites and work zones.
   • Available in seven different colors, including standard orange and white, allowing customization for project branding or visibility needs.
   • Hollow interior can be filled with water or sand for added stability.
3. Yodock 2001 Barrier Yodock 2001 Barrier
   • Known for the Yodock “wall” system that provides solid interlocking protection.
   • Comes in orange or white and can be water-filled for stability.
   • Widely used in construction, crowd control, and security applications.
4. WaterWall™ Barrier WaterWall Barrier
   • Patented interlocking design, forming a stable wall when filled.
   • Available in orange or white for high visibility.
   • Designed to withstand strong impacts while remaining relatively lightweight when empty.

Typical Uses for Water-Filled Barriers

• Temporary Road Closures & Detours: Easily repositioned to redirect traffic during construction, road repairs, or emergencies.
• Event Management: Ideal for festivals, parades, and sports events to protect attendees and guide crowd flow.
• Security & Perimeter Control: While not as impenetrable as concrete, water-filled barriers act as effective visual and physical deterrents in lower-speed environments.

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Barricades vs. Barriers

Though the terms can overlap, there are general differences:

Barricades

• Lightweight fencing or panels often used for crowd control and delineation.
• Not typically designed to stop or redirect a moving vehicle.

Barriers

• Heavier-duty, often vehicle-rated systems (concrete or water-filled plastic).
• Engineered for traffic control, vehicle impact mitigation, and longer-term deployment.

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Standards and Regulations

For best practices, many types of Jersey barriers (including water-filled and concrete) are evaluated under recognized testing standards such as the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) or the older NCHRP Report 350. These standards, overseen by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), help ensure the barriers can meet certain crashworthiness requirements. Depending on your location, you may need to follow guidelines from agencies like:

• The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Roadway Safety & Hardware
• State and local Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for region-specific regulations

Always consult these resources and verify local regulations to ensure compliance and optimal safety.

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Conclusion

From concrete Jersey barriers—invented in New Jersey decades ago—to modern plastic, water-fillable barriers, these protective devices have significantly evolved. TrafficSafetyStore.com offers multiple options (including Jersey-Style Remcon Plastic Barrier, Remcon Construction Barrier, Yodock MB2001, and TrafFix WaterWall™ barriers) to suit a wide range of safety, security, and construction needs. All four types are available in orange and white, and the Remcon Construction Barrier is offered in seven distinct colors for additional customization. In today’s dynamic traffic and event environments, choosing the right barrier—concrete or plastic—can greatly enhance safety, control the flow of vehicles and pedestrians, and ultimately help prevent accidents or unauthorized access. Ensure you consult official standards like the MUTCD and check local regulations for proper deployment and compliance.  

 

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