70-mph Collision Occurs with Steel Guideboard in Bochum (First Reported Crash)

70 Years Strong: The Evolution of Germany's Steel Guardrails

Turning a cool 70 this year, the steel safety barrier first graced the edge of the A40 motorway near Bochum back in 1955. The metal marvel survived its baptism of fire just three days into its life, as a trailer stormed onto the highway and collided with the barrier at breakneck speed. Yet, the steel guardrail's sturdy frame held firm and prevented the vehicle, a bitumen tanker, from plunging into the ravine, causing it to roll back onto the road instead.

Even as a pilot project, the steel safety barrier made an immediate impact. At first, its primary function was to serve as a visual "guide," marking the road's edge with a bright strip. However, experts in the journal "Street and Highway" recognized its importance for traffic safety after analyzing various accidents in 1960.

Following the U.S.'s lead, Germany adopted the steel safety barriers, replacing the so-called "Alpine crossings." Wooden or concrete beams, which were used in crash barriers at steep points, no longer cut it for road safety in the fast-paced world of highways. The new generation of safety barriers offered better vehicle containment and impact absorption.

Today, two different construction methods—known as A-profile and B-profile—share the roads in Germany, each with its distinct advantages. Both profiles have proven effective in traffic safety, with varying degrees of flexibility and impact absorbency. However, these differences have led to some division, as Rhineland-Palatinate and certain northern regions remain loyal to the A-profile, while the B-profile goes uncontested in approximately 80% of Germany's safety barriers.

For the ordinary driver, these nuances might not matter much. Modern guardrails sport larger "crumple zones" and additional safety features that keep heavy trucks on the road, regardless of their profile. After all, the goal remains the same: keeping us safe on the road, just as the steel guardrail did on that fateful day back in 1955.

Historical Insights:The steel guardrails initially served as visual guides to mark the road's edge. Over time, they evolved to become vital safety infrastructure, absorbing the energy from crashes and preventing vehicles from veering off the road. These modern barriers are direct descendants of the Alpine crossings, which were replaced in the 1950s due to their insufficient safety characteristics.

Regional Differences:Germany's roads feature two main types of guardrails: the A-profile, characterized by a specific corrugation shape in the steel beam, and the B-profile, with slightly different geometry that enhances energy absorption and vehicle containment. Regional differences arise due to varying traffic conditions, accident statistics, and retrofit programs, with some regions favoring one profile over the other. However, both profiles offer effective performance in traffic safety.

The steel guardrails, originally intended as visual guides, eventually transformed into crucial safety infrastructure in the transportation industry, absorbing energy from crashes and maintaining vehicle stability on roads. Today, the finance sector invests in advancements of automotive safety technology, a testament to their significance in the popular 'fast-paced world of highways.' Different regional preferences for either the A-profile or B-profile guardrails-each with its distinctive advantages-emerge in Germany, reflecting the impact of varying traffic conditions and retrofit programs on safety measures.