This report provides guidance for the selection, use, and maintenance of cable barrier systems. While cable barrier systems have been in use for more than 70 years, their use has been on the rise and is expected to continue in the future. The increase in use of cable barrier systems has been attributed to the success rate in keeping vehicles from crossing the median, reducing roadway departures, and decreasing impact severity. Due to advancements in cable barrier system technology, installation and repair costs are lower and cable barrier use has increased in varying roadway environments. Safety studies, although limited, have shown that cable barriers help reduce those median cross-over collisions that lead to some of the most severe head-on type crashes. This document will be of particular interest to design, maintenance, traffic, and safety engineering professionals.

This document presents a synthesis of current information and operating practices related to roadside safety and is developed in metric units. The roadside is defined as that area beyond the traveled way (driving lanes) and the shoulder (if any) of the roadway itself. The focus of this guide is on safety treatments that minimize the likelihood of serious injuries when a driver runs off the road. This guide replaces the 1989 AASHTO "Roadside Design Guide."

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 656: Criteria for Restoration of Longitudinal Barriers explores the identification of levels of damage and deterioration to longitudinal barriers that require repairs to restore operational performance.

Also available online via the Web pages of the TRB Cooperative Research Programs (www4.trb.org/trb/crp.nsf).

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 353: Inspection and Maintenance of Bridge Stay Cable Systems identifies and explains various inspection and maintenance techniques for bridge stay cable systems. It discusses both short- and long-term approaches. The report information on methods for inspections and assessments, including nondestructive testing and evaluation procedures; repair and retrofit; methods for control of cable vibrations, including rainwind vibrations; stay cable fatigue and failure; effectiveness of various inspection and repair methods; limitations of available technologies; and trends and recommendations for future study.