Barrier for roadway

Abstract

A barrier for a roadway (e.g., a highway, bridge, or other road), which can be used to manage vehicular traffic, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc.) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes, and which may be configured to enhance its use and performance, such as by better protecting the motorists and others when impacted by vehicles (e.g., reducing deflection by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting; mitigating risks of “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles; and/or otherwise improving protection provided by the barrier), facilitating transportation, installation and/or transfer of the barrier at the roadway, and/or enhancing other aspects of the barrier.

1 . A barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another, wherein at least three of the barrier modules differ in height. 
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein a transition from a tallest one of the barrier modules to a shortest one of the barrier modules occurs over transition ones of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein each transition one of the barrier modules comprises an upper portion comprising an inclined part that is inclined relative to a longitudinal direction of the barrier. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein a transition from a tallest one of the barrier modules to a shortest one of the barrier modules occurs over a plurality of meters. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein the transition is linear. 
     
     
         12 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein the transition is nonlinear. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the at least three of the barrier modules gradually vary in height. 
     
     
         18 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the at least three of the barrier modules linearly vary in height. 
     
     
         19 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the height of a taller one of the barrier modules over the height of a shorter one of the barrier modules that is adjacent to the taller one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.1. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein each transition one of the barrier modules comprises a body and a ballast to adjust a mass of the transition one of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         34 . The barrier of  claim 33 , wherein the body of the transition one of the barrier modules comprises a container; and the ballast of the transition one of the barrier modules comprises a substance in the container. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to be transferred between different locations at the roadway by a transfer vehicle. 
     
     
         38 . The barrier of  claim 37 , wherein: each of the barrier modules comprises a conveyor-engaging part configured to be engaged by a conveyor of the transfer vehicle; and the conveyor-engaging part of at least one of the barrier modules is at least partly inclined relative to a longitudinal direction of the barrier. 
     
     
         39 . The barrier of  claim 38 , wherein the conveyor-engaging part of each of the barrier modules comprises an overhang. 
     
     
         40 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein a given one of the barrier modules is adjustable to adjust the height of the given one of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         41 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein a given one of the barrier modules comprises an adjustment system configured to move parts of the given one of the barrier modules relative to one another to adjust the height of the given one of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         42 . The barrier of  claim 41 , wherein a first one of the parts of the given one of the barrier modules is movable within a second one of the parts of the given one of the barrier modules to adjust the height of the given one of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         43 . The barrier of  claim 41 , wherein the adjustment system is configured to move the parts of the given one of the barrier modules relative to one another in a plurality of predetermined positions to adjust the height of the given one of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         44 . The barrier of  claim 41 , wherein the adjustment system comprises a plurality of openings spaced apart in a heightwise direction of the given one of the barrier modules and configured to receive fasteners to secure the parts of the given one of the barrier modules to one another to adjust the height of the given one of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         45 . The barrier of  claim 44 , wherein: the openings are fastening openings; and the adjustment system comprises a plurality of hinging openings spaced apart in the heightwise direction of the given one of the barrier modules and configured to receive hinging members to hingedly connect the given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 m according to MASH. 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another, wherein: the barrier modules differ in height; terminal ones of the barrier modules implement a crash cushion configured to deform when impacted by a vehicle; main ones of the barrier modules are shorter than the terminal ones of the barrier modules; and transition ones of the barrier modules are configured to transition between the terminal ones of the barrier modules and the main ones of the barrier modules. 
     
     
         58 . The barrier of  claim 57 , wherein the transition ones of the barrier modules are shorter than the terminal ones of the barrier modules and taller than the main ones of the barrier modules 
     
     
         59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . (canceled) 
     
     
         75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . (canceled)