Integrated cable guardrail system

Abstract

A cable integrated guardrail system for highway guardrail. The rail of the system contains at least one cut section placed longitudinally along the panel, and of sufficient dimension as to allow interaction with a cable. Said cut sections also act to reduce longitudinal resistance and safely stop axially impacting vehicles. A cable, which is of sufficient length to extend longitudinally along the entire system, prevents tearing of the rail during lateral impacts and aids in safely redirecting the vehicle away from a hazard.

1 . A highway guardrail system for use along a roadside and having an upstream and downstream section, comprised of: 
 a) a longitudinally corrugated rail having two peaks and one valley;    b) at least one cut section along the rail, containing a hole of sufficient dimension to allow passage of a cable;    c) at least one cut section along the rail, containing a hole of sufficient dimension to reduce the column strength of the rail during axial impacts; and    d) a cable of sufficient length as to span the distance of the terminal system; and    e) an anchoring bracket that connects said cable to an anchor assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The guardrail system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is comprised of two swadged bolt fittings and standard anchor cable of said length.  
     
     
         3 . The guardrail system of  claim 2 , wherein the cable is attached at two positions, one being at the upstream end and the other at the downstream end of the system.  
     
     
         4 . The guardrail system of  claim 1 , wherein the rail is substantially parallel to the roadway.  
     
     
         5 . The guardrail system of  claim 1 , wherein the rail is flared at the upstream section away from the roadside.  
     
     
         6 . The guardrail system of  claim 5 , wherein the flare is parabolic.  
     
     
         7 . The guardrail system of  claim 5 , wherein the flare is straight.  
     
     
         8 . The guardrail system of  claim 1 , wherein the cut section is comprised of holes of necessary dimension located proximate the valley and each peak of the rail.  
     
     
         9 . The guardrail system of  claim 8 , wherein the cut section of holes are placed longitudinally along the length of the rail.  
     
     
         10 . The guardrail system of  claim 1 , wherein the upstream portion attaches to an adjoining guardrail barrier.  
     
     
         11 . The guardrail system of  claim 1 , wherein the rail is supported by one or more support posts.  
     
     
         12 . The guardrail system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the support posts is a frangible post.  
     
     
         13 . The guardrail system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection device for said cable to the system are comprised of cable anchor brackets.  
     
     
         14 . The guardrail system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one cable anchor bracket for the terminal system is of increased dimension to allow multiple cable attachment.  
     
     
         15 . The guardrail system of  claim 13 , wherein said enlarged cable bracket connects said system cable to a ground anchor assembly cable, known in the art.