New Delhi: To strengthen road safety and improve the quality of National Highway construction, NHAI has directed contractors to strictly adhere to guidelines for the installation of Metal Beam Crash Barriers (MBCBs) as specified by the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding traffic safety barriers.
 

Contractors must ensure that the materials supplied for crash barriers match the specifications outlined in the crash test report and that the barriers are installed following the methodology provided by the manufacturer. Contractors must also obtain a certificate from the manufacturer confirming that the crash barriers installed at project sites comply with the prescribed design, standards, and specifications. Additionally, the required level of ground layer compaction must be ensured by the contractor.
 

Manufacturers of metal beam crash barriers are required to emboss identification details such as the brand name, lot or batch number, steel grade, and other relevant information on each element of the MBCB. A QR code must also be provided on the barriers to allow easy access to the standard operating procedure (SOP) or installation methodology at project sites. While approving the MBCBs, the Authority Engineer or Independent Engineer will ensure that all technical specifications meet the design standards outlined in the crash test report.
 

NHAI remains committed to maintaining the highest standards in National Highway construction. These guidelines are expected to enhance contractor accountability and improve the safety of National Highway users across the country.
 

BI Bureau