Cross-Median Crashes

Cross-median accidents are one of the most dangerous types of highway crashes. When a vehicle crosses an interstate median, enters opposing lanes, and collides with oncoming traffic, closing speeds can easily exceed 100 mph. Our research has evaluated the effectiveness of median barriers to mitigate the outcome of this frequently fatal crash mode.

Median Barriers are designed to resist cross median crashes like this accident in Florida.

In response to several widely publicized cross median crashes, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has initiated a pilot program in which cross median barrier is being installed at the following locations:

• I-78 from approximately Milepost 23.3 to Milepost 24.48

• I-80 from approximately Milepost 27.25 to Milepost 28.16

The project is evaluating the post-impact performance of two different median barrier systems: (1) the three-strand cable median barrier system installed on I-78 and (2) the modified thrie beam median barrier system installed on I-80.

Our research program evaluated the performance of the I-78 and I-80 median barrier designs in three ways – (1) through finite element modeling, (2) through field investigation in the event of a crash into the subject barriers, and (3) through a survey of the median barrier experience of other state DOTs. Although the focus of this study will be on the I-78 and I-80 median barrier designs, the results of this study are expected to provide new insight into the performance of and potential improvements to the design of future median barrier in New Jersey.

Final Report

Gabler, H.C., Gabauer, D.J., and Bowen, D., “Evaluation of Cross Median Crashes, Final Report”, Report to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, FHWA-NJ-2005-004 (February 2005)