Jersey barrier is a very effective tool to keep roads safe. Research shows they reduce serious head on crashes up to 93% on busy freeways. Well, these crashes are only 1% of all road accidents but they lead to 10% of deaths.
This shows why you need strong barriers for maximum protection. If you want to purchase or install jersey barriers, you must be aware of its standard dimensions.
Standard Jersey Barrier Dimensions/Jersey Barrier Size
For safety and consistency, jersey barriers are designed according to specific rules. These standards are set by organizations such as FHWA, AASHTO and DOT. With the right size, you can use jersey barriers to guide traffic and improve safety.
Jersey Barrier Height
Jersey barriers have a fixed height, so you can stay safe on the road. A standard jersey barrier is mostly 32 (81 cm) inches tall. But, you will also find some jersey bumps with the height range in between 24 inches (61cm) to 34 inches (86 cm).
To stop vehicles from crossing into other lanes, you must place a right height jersey barrier. However, the final height can change for this barrier based on road type and traffic speed.
Jersey Barrier Length
Generally, jersey barriers have a long structure, so you can cover more area of road at once. The average length for jersey barriers is around 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3 meters). But this size can vary according to the type of barrier. For example: plastic or water filled barriers are approx. 8 feet (2.4 meters) long.
Further, you can also find longer sections such as 12, 20 or 30 feet long for special uses. Many barriers have interlocking designs, so you can join multiple barriers to make a safe boundary.
Jersey Barrier Width or Jersey Barrier Base Dimensions
You can measure the width of the jersey barrier from one side to the other. Its bottom is mostly wider than the top of the barrier. It has a 24 inches (610 mm) wide base. The base is narrow at the top which is around 6 to 10 inches.
Moreover, the concrete jersey barrier is 2 feet (610 mm) wide at the bottom. If a plastic barrier has 42 inches height, its width is usually 24 inches or 0.61 m. With a broad barrier, you can prevent it from falling if a vehicle collides with it.
Jersey Barrier Weight
How much does a jersey barrier weigh? The weight of the jersey wall varies according to its size. Mostly, you will find them heavy, so they can stay in place and can absorb the impact of vehicle collisions. If we talk about the standard weight of the jersey barrier, it is 1400 to 1500 kg (3000-3300 lbs).
| Jersey Barrier Size (Length) | Weight of Jersey Barrier |
| 2.5 m (8ft) | Approx. 1450 kg (3200 lbs) |
| 3 meter (10 feet) | Around 2500 kg (5500 lbs) |
| 10 ft (US standard) | 4000+ lbs (1800 kg) |
| Heavy duty jersey barrier (20 feet) | Roughly 8000 lbs (3629 kg) |
Types of Jersey Barriers By Size
Jersey barriers have different sizes to fit various needs. You can choose a size according to the road, traffic or area you want to protect. Following are sizes of jersey bumps according to its types.
Low Profile Jersey Barrier
Low profile jersey barriers also have different dimensions. You can use them where you have limited space. The standard size of the short height jersey barrier is around 24 inches high by 96 inches long (2ft x 8ft). Plus, they are 14-16 inches wide.
They are made for lower speed areas such as parking lots, work zones, temporary workplaces or events under 45 mph. You install these barriers in a fat way and they are affordable options too.
Tall or Heavy Duty Jersey Barriers
If we talk about the dimensions of heavy duty K rail barriers, they are larger and have higher strength than standard jersey barriers. You use them on highways and high speed areas to stop or redirect vehicles. These structures are 32 to 54+ inches tall. Plus, the weight of tall jersey walls can also be different.
However, the average range of weight is approx. 1300 lbs to over 8000 lbs. Because of their size and weight, it’s hard for you to move them. But, you will get long-term safety and security.
Water Filled Jersey Barrier
Well, water filled jersey barriers are lightweight and portable. They are available in various sizes and weights. The average height for these barriers are 32, 36 , 42 and 46 inches. But, the most common length is 6 feet (72 inches) or 8 feet (96 in.).
Water filled K-rail barriers are designed with a base width of about 24 inches. You will find these barriers light in weight (100 lbs) when they are empty. However, when you fill them with water or sand, it can weigh around 900 to 1600+ lbs.
Modular or Temporary Jersey Barriers
The main property of these jersey barriers is that you can easily move them and can set up where you want. Hence, they are available in various sizes to suit different needs. Generally, you will find them shorter and lighter than permanent concrete barriers.
They are compact enough for temporary or flexible use in construction zones or short term road projects. Temporary jersey barriers are actually made of plastic or lightweight materials. Also, you can fill them with water or sand for stability.
Jersey Barrier Design Standards
AASHTO and Department of Transportation standards for jersey barriers are focused on barrier height, width, slope, material and crash performance to safely redirect vehicles. The F‑Shape barrier over older Jersey shapes are more preferable for better results.
Manufacturers must use durable and high-quality materials to make jersey bumps. According to ASTM A615 Gr 60, you can also add bars of strong steel inside concrete to make the jersey barrier strong. So, they can easily handle vehicle impacts.
Expert Advice on Jersey Barrier Dimensions
JACKWIN is a trusted provider of traffic safety solutions worldwide. We have years of experience working with jersey barriers. So, according to our experience, you should remember the following when you want to choose the right barrier dimensions for your project.
- The height, length, width and weight should match the speed of traffic, type of vehicles plus purpose of the barrier.
- You can install taller and heavier barriers on highways and high speed areas.
- But, shorter and lighter jersey barriers are better for safety in your work zones and events.
- We also advise to consider how barriers will be moved, installed or linked together for continuous protection.
FAQs
How Much Does a Jersey Barrier Cost?
The price of a jersey wall basically depends on its materials and overall size. For example: concrete barriers are more expensive as compared to plastic or water filled barriers.
Concrete Jersey Barrier Cost: $50 to $1000+
Plastic/Water Filled Jersey Barrier Price: $15 to $100
What Are Jersey Barriers Called in Canada?
In Canada, concrete barriers are generally called jersey barriers. But a taller version used on highways is known as the Ontario tall wall or only tall wall. It is 42 inches high as compared to the standard 32-inch jersey barrier.
How much does a 20 ft concrete jersey barrier weigh?
A 20 foot concrete jersey wall is very heavy. It generally weighs around 3600 to 4000 kg (8000 to 9000 lbs). Its heavy weight keeps it more stable. But, the exact weight depends on the barrier’s design and thickness.
Are Jersey Barriers Permanent?
No, jersey barriers are not always permanent. But, they can be temporary such as plastic or water filled barriers used for construction zones/events handling. You can also design permanent barriers like concrete K-rail barriers for highway medians and long term safety.
What is the Difference Between a Jersey Barrier and a Bollard?
Jersey walls are long and heavy structures designed to stop or redirect high-speed vehicles. On the other hand, bollards are shorter posts which are used to control pedestrian areas and prevent unauthorized access of vehicles in restricted zones.
Wrapping It Up
So, jersey barriers have different dimensions to fit your various project requirements. However, if you want customized jersey barriers in color, size, height, length or weight, JACKWIN is your reliable partner.
Our engineers follow proper standards to design safe road products & barriers. We also offer various other types of safety solutions like expandable & crowd control barriers. You can send us an inquiry today to get a quick quote.
