Why is it called a Jersey Barrier? Everything Traffic Safety Professionals Should Know

When it comes to a roadwork, construction project, or taking traffic safety measures, ensuring workers, drivers, and pedestrians’ safety is the most crucial factor. Here, Jersey barriers play a huge role. They significantly reduce accident chances, slow down vehicles’ speed, divert drivers, and ensure everyone’s safety on roads.

For a traffic safety professional, contractor, or someone working on a road construction project, like you, it’s important that you have deep knowledge and understanding of Jersey barriers. Like their history, purpose, advantages, uses, regulations, cost, and much more. And that’s exactly what we’ve unwrapped in this guide.

What is a Jersey Barrier?

A Jersey barrier is a short concrete or (water-filled) plastic wall that you often see between a highway and a road or construction site. Traffic safety professionals or road construction companies place these barriers to partition a road and redirect drivers toward a safe route. Near construction zones, they are also used to create an obstruction between drivers and site workers.

Unlike traditional road barriers, they’re made with a sloped or curved shape. So that if a vehicle hits the barrier, due to the slope, the vehicle’s tires move up the slope and slowly spin back. That way, drivers may have enough time to regain control over the vehicle and steering. Without slop, a driver’s car may crash into the barriers, which can result in serious injuries and even death.

Jersey Barrier History

Well, it all started in California. Before 1946, companies used to make barriers using wooden material. But over time, as the technology advances, vehicles advance too, and those wooden barriers stopped withstanding the impact of errant cars. That’s when, in 1946, California introduced concrete barriers.

In 1950, New Jersey (United States) adopted this concrete barrier approach from California. But they personalized the barrier’s design to create their structure. They changed the entire barrier’s appearance, added a slope, and even used steel to enhance the concrete barrier’s strength.

New Jersey’s design approach to barriers was a big hit and worked so well. Seeing this success, other states started using the same design, that design that we see today. And since it all started in New Jersey, people started calling it the Jersey barrier.

In past times, these Jersey barriers were made of concrete. However, they are now also constructed with HDPE plastic material and are referred to as “Water-filled barriers”. Means, they need to fill with water/sand to increase their weight and use it as a barrier.

Functioning of Barriers in Diverting Traffic

Although all barriers’ job is the same, and that’s slowing, diverting, and stopping fast and out-of-control vehicles. But still, each barrier type varies based on material, functions, and key features. Below, we have discussed each road barrier so that you can have a clear understanding of each one:

● Concrete Barriers

Concrete barriers are the most commonly used type of Jersey barriers. They are heavy and very expensive compared to other barriers’ types. Plus, your investment will go into their transportation, placement, and removals, which further increases the overall cost.

Despite this, concrete barriers have a lot of plus points.  They are ideal for high-speed traffic areas such as highways and are best for long-term projects. On top of that, they last longer than you imagine, until they get severely damaged.

Plus, concrete barriers are more impact-resistant compared to others, especially for heavy and high-speed vehicles. Means, if any vehicle, like a loaded truck, hits them, the barrier slope will absorb the vehicle’s energy and significantly slow down its speed. Despite this, they are more prone and reported as highly crash-resistant.

● Water-Filled Plastic Barriers

On the other hand, water-filled plastic Jersey barriers are lightweight, eye-catching, cost-effective, and more flexible. Plus, they are easy to transport in bulk, but you will need to pour water or sand into them to increase their weight. Even after that, they are still more cost-effective than concrete ones. You can use them in temporary work zones, pedestrian areas, and lower-speed setups.

If seen function-wise, then they have less impact absorption capability. For instance, if a loaded truck hits a water-filled barrier, there might be chances of the barrier wobbling or a vehicle collision. However, even if a collision occurs, they are less likely to sustain serious injuries. And that’s the reason why they are suitable for use in low-speed traffic areas.

● Metal Road Barriers

Metal or steel load road barriers are generally more durable, heavier, and more expensive than the above barriers. However, they are easy and quick to install. Plus, they cover almost the entire width of the road, especially in confined spaces. That makes them an ideal choice for overnight use or emergency repairs.

Apart from that, you can also use them at concerts or any public social events. That way, you can control the heavy crowd, ensure everyone’s safety, and contribute to an organized event.

Do Different Barrier Names Mean Different Functions?

Well, sometimes yes and sometimes no. For example, Jersey barriers, F-shape barriers, and K-rail barriers look slightly different. But in actuality, they all do the same job. That’s to control traffic, reduce accidents, and protect both drivers and workers.

However, when it specifically comes to concrete barriers and water-filled barriers, they somehow serve different functions. For instance, water-filled barriers are designed and ideal to use in temporary setups because they’re lightweight and impact-resistant. On the other hand, concrete barriers are permanent and ideal to use in highways or high-impact areas.

Although they both are impact resistant, a water-filled barrier can withstand the impact of low-speed vehicles. But concrete barriers can withstand both low and high-speed vehicles. So, it’s not just about the name. It’s about where and how the barrier will be used that matters.

Dimensions and Weight of Jersey Barriers

Jersey barrier manufacturing companies in different countries and states made these barriers in different sizes (as per the local compliances and regulations). But we will give you an estimate idea about these barriers weight and dimensions.

In general, a standard concrete Jersey barrier is about 32 inches tall, 10 feet long, and 24 inches wide at the base. You can use these barriers in high-speed and heavy traffic areas. In the market, the shorter versions of these barriers are available too, with around 24 inches in height. You can use these short barriers for low-speed areas or temporary setups.

As for weight, concrete Jersey barriers are heavy and solid. Generally, their weight is between 1,800 and 4,000 pounds (depending on the length). On the other hand, water-filled Jersey barriers are much lighter. They usually weigh around 100 to 150 pounds when empty. But after filling water in them, they will probably weigh around 1,500 pounds.

Compliance For Jersey Barriers

Jersey barrier compliance is standards and regulations that are set by ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), DOT, OSHA, FHWA (Federal Highway Admin), and MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). Here’s what each compliance states:

Above, we discussed the compliance set by authorities for Jersey barriers. Now let’s discuss the jersey barrier regulations by the same authorities:

• If barriers are used near walkways, facilities must ensure that there’s enough clearance for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
• Facilities must comply with OSHA rules and local regulations for barrier placement and usage.
• Concrete barriers must meet compressive strength requirements (that is, 3,000–4,000 psi in the U.S.).
• If using water-filled plastic (HDPE) barriers, they must resist impact, UV degradation, and water leakage.
• If Jersey barriers are used to connect with guardrails or bridge rails, they must have crash-rated end treatments to prevent blunt impacts.
• Transition sections must comply with the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide to reduce the chance of vehicle snagging.
• Facilities placing barriers in dim areas must attach safety lights for increased visibility.
• Barriers must be placed a specific distance from the travel lane, usually 18–36 inches.
• This is important for facilities to maintain a recovery area for errant vehicles.
• Facilities must use water-filled barriers with bright reflective sheeting for visibility.

Jersey Barriers Cost

Concrete Jersey barriers are typically expensive and ideal for long-term or permanent purposes. In market, you can find them between 300–600 for a 10-foot barrier section. While larger size (20-ft) barriers cost you around 800–1,500 each. If you intend to buy used barriers, then that will cost you 100–400 per barrier. However, if you intend to rent barriers, each barrier costs around $ 50–$ 150 per month.

On the contrary, water-filled plastic Jersey barriers are more affordable, flexible, and ideal for short-term projects. You can find them between 150 and 400 per barrier for a 6-ft section. While 300–700 per barrier for a 10-ft long size. If you go for renting plastic barriers, each barrier will cost you around 30–120 per month.

Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, finding jersey barriers for sale will entirely depend on your project needs, budget, and timeline. However, if you are looking to buy barriers at competitive wholesale prices, JACKWIN Jersey barriers are the right fit for you.

What are Jersey Barriers Used For?

Mainly, Jersey barriers are used to guide drivers and protect everyone on the road. Whether it’s a driver, vehicle, pedestrian, or worker. But you can use them in several places for different guidance and safety purposes.

• You can install them right in between the highway and the road to create two separate lanes. That way, drivers won’t cross over into other lanes. Plus, the risk of head-on collisions gets reduced, especially on high-speed roads
• During road construction or repair work, you can put these barriers near the construction zone. That way, you can restrict drivers from entering the working zone. Hence, keeping both drivers and site workers safe.
• Moreover, you can also use them to guide traffic flow. Here’s how: In case of big detours or emergencies, you can place jersey barriers to divert traffic into an opposite lane and restrict them from entering unsafe areas. Apart from that, you can also use barriers to create a safe and vehicle-free path for pedestrians on busy roads.
• They’re highly useful in parking lots, too. You can use Jersey barriers to separate parking areas and prevent vehicles from bumping into sidewalks.  You can even put barriers and create temporary traffic lanes or no-entry zones, especially in big parking lots.

Common Industries that Use Jersey Barriers

Advantages of Using Barriers on Roads

• Prevents Head-On Collisions:One of the main advantages of Jersey barriers is that they significantly help prevent head-on collisions (on highways and two-way roads). For instance, when barriers are placed between a highway and a road as a divider. So, even if a car loses control, it won’t cross over into another lane or oncoming traffic.
• Protects Construction Workers: When roadwork is ongoing, especially in places with heavy traffic flow, you can’t really rely on just cones or signboards. Here, barriers help a lot. By placing them around construction zones, you can physically separate workers from traffic. That way, you can protect site workers and continue to work without worrying.
• Guides and Controls Traffic Flow: When you’re dealing with heavy traffic flow on the road, detours, lane closures, or emergencies, barriers are a big help. They let you guide drivers, divert them, and control the flow of traffic. For example, if one side of the road is blocked, you can set up barriers to safely shift cars to another lane.
• Reusable and Durable: Whether we talk about concrete or water-filled barriers, they are both built to last longer. Once a project is done, you don’t need to throw it out. All you need is to move them and reuse them when needed. That also makes them a smart investment for any long-term or repeated use on different sites.
• Quick to Install: Time is always short during roadwork, and these barriers are designed to be easy and quick to set up. Whether you’re using forklifts to place concrete ones or manually setting water-filled barriers, their installation process takes time, but not that much. Means you get less disruption and faster progress.
• Multi-Purpose Use: Barriers aren’t just for highways; you can use them anywhere where safety or traffic guidance is a concern. You can place them in parking lots, around construction zones, during events, or even to separate pedestrians from traffic.

Our Tips For Choosing Correct Jersey Barriers For Your Road Safety Project

As one of the top Jersey barrier manufacturers and suppliers in China, JACKWIN has 18+ years of experience in the traffic and road safety product industry. From what we have learned, below we have discussed a few tips that you should keep in mind while choosing barriers for your project:

1. Before you choose Jersey barriers, it’s important for you to consider where they are going to be placed. For long-term, permanent, and high-speed areas (like highways), you can go for concrete barriers. For short-term or temporary work (like road detours, emergency repairs), water-filled ones are better.
2. The next thing you should consider is the height and length of the barrier, so that it can perfectly stop vehicles from jumping over, and drivers can even see it from a far distance. For high-speed roads, you should choose taller barriers. For smaller areas or pedestrian zones, you can go for shorter barriers.
3. If you’re going to place Jersey barriers on highways, then you must choose barriers that are crash-rated or tested. Because tested barriers approved by the authorities ensure that these barriers can absorb high-impact and prevent vehicles from bouncing back.
4. If you’re setting up multiple barriers, choose barriers with the interlocking feature, like JACKWIN’s water-filled barriers. The interlock function lets you align all barriers together. That way, the whole setup becomes stronger and more stable.
5. You know barriers are for outdoor use, so they are exposed to the sun and harsh climates all the time. That’s why we suggest you choose barriers that are UV and weather resistant. That way, they stay in good shape for longer.
6. If you’re buying barriers for long-term and repeated use, know that you’ll need to arrange a large space where you will store them.

Conclusion

We hope you now have a clear understanding of Jersey barriers, their history, their types (based on material), and how they work in reducing accident chances. We also suggest that you follow your local state/country’s compliance and regulations to use Jersey barriers.

However, if you’re searching for a trusted Jersey barriers supplier, JACKWIN is the perfect fit. We have been manufacturing and supplying plastic Jersey barriers since 2008 in different sizes and weights, across different countries. Contact us today to receive your quote.

Our professional team can also customize water-filled barriers to meet your design requirements.