Critical Design Requirements for Traffic Safety Barriers as per IRC Code SP 119

‍

Traffic safety barriers are an indispensable component of road infrastructure. Their correct placement, design, and maintenance significantly reduce the severity of accidents by containing and redirecting errant vehicles. The IRC Code SP 119 provides comprehensive guidelines focused not only on the functional landscaping of roads but also on design requirements for street furniture, including traffic safety barriers, ensuring urban roads are safer and more resilient.

‍

In this blog, we will explore the critical design considerations for traffic safety barriers in line with IRC Code SP:119-2018, including their role in urban road safety, placement strategies, integration with landscaping, and implementation best practices.

‍

‍

Introduction to IRC Code SP 119

‍

The IRC:SP:119-2018 is a specialized manual titled “Manual of Planting and Landscaping of Urban Roads.” While its primary focus is on landscaping, it also covers essential infrastructural elements like street furniture, stormwater management, and safety features like barriers, making it a holistic guide for urban road planning and design.

‍

Importance of Traffic Safety Barriers

‍

Traffic safety barriers are physical roadside elements designed to:

‍

• Prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway

• Reduce the impact of collisions

• Protect pedestrians and vulnerable users

• Improve delineation and visibility of lanes and road edges

• Safeguard infrastructure like utility poles, trees, and stormwater drains

‍

Their integration into roads must balance safety needs, aesthetic appeal, and landscape functionality—a central theme of IRC SP 119.

‍

Key Design Requirements for Traffic Safety Barriers as per IRC Code SP 119

‍

1. Integrated Placement within the Multi-Functional Zone (MFZ)

‍

The IRC Code SP 119 emphasizes the creation of Multi-Functional Zones (MFZ) alongside carriageways. MFZs are designated spaces that consolidate essential street components, including:

‍

• Traffic safety barriers
• Utility lines
• Tree plantations
• Bio-swales for stormwater

‍

Design Tip: Barriers should be aligned in the MFZ in a way that they do not obstruct pedestrian movement or interfere with tree roots and underground utilities.

‍

2. Barrier Location Based on Road Hierarchy

‍

Barrier placement must correlate with the road classification:

‍

• Arterial Roads: Require stronger containment barriers due to higher speeds.

• Collector Streets: Medium containment barriers suffice.

• Local Streets: Should focus on low-impact, pedestrian-friendly designs.

‍

The MFZ on arterial roads may house dual barriers—one for vehicle containment and another for pedestrian shielding.

‍

3. Safety and Aesthetic Harmony

‍

The manual encourages the aesthetic integration of barriers with landscaping:

‍

• Use of green buffers behind or around safety barriers

• Incorporation of hedges or shrubs that do not obstruct visibility

• Barriers should complement the natural landscape and not stand out as obtrusive elements

‍

This helps reduce visual pollution and enhances urban streetscape quality.

‍

4. Material and Design Specifications

‍

Although IRC SP 119 doesn't delve into detailed structural specs (those are covered under IRC:6 and IRC:103), it does emphasize:

‍

• Corrosion-resistant materials for longevity

• Preference for eco-friendly or recyclable materials

• Rounded or crash-friendly profiles to minimize injury on impact

• Height considerations that do not block visibility for drivers or CCTV coverage

‍

5. Accessibility and Pedestrian Safety Considerations

‍

Barriers must not block access to:

‍

• Bus stops
• Pedestrian crossings
• Wheelchair-accessible ramps

‍

Design Detail: There should be strategic breaks in barrier continuity with pedestrian refuges, ensuring safe road crossing options.

‍

6. Stormwater and Drainage Integration

‍

Barriers should be placed in such a way that they do not obstruct:

‍

• Stormwater drains
• Rainwater harvesting pits
• Bio-swales and infiltration trenches

‍

The IRC SP 119 encourages stormwater-sensitive design, and traffic safety infrastructure must support this by not impeding water flow or increasing surface runoff.

‍

7. Urban Tree Protection Compatibility

‍

In heavily planted areas, barriers should be:

‍

• Placed away from the critical root zone (CRZ) of trees

• Designed to allow root breathing and avoid compaction

‍

This ensures co-existence of safety infrastructure and greenery, a core objective of IRC SP 119.

‍

8. Maintenance and Retrofitting Guidelines

‍

Barriers should be:

‍

• Modular in nature for easy maintenance and replacement

• Capable of being retrofitted onto existing roads with minimal disruption
• ‍
• Regularly inspected as part of a broader urban road maintenance plan

‍

9. Visibility and Signage Integration

‍

To enhance nighttime safety:

‍

• Barriers should incorporate reflective tapes, cat eyes, or solar studs

• Adjacent signage should be placed at a visible height and clear of barrier lines

‍

This aligns with IRC SP 119’s vision of well-lit, readable, and safe urban road corridors.

‍

Implementation Best Practices

‍

According to Chapter 3 of IRC SP 119, the implementation of roadside elements, including safety barriers, should involve:

‍

• Detailed site surveys
• Tree and utility mapping
• Traffic flow assessment
• Coordination with local bodies and utility providers

‍

This ensures seamless integration of safety features into new or existing road projects.

‍

Future-Ready and Sustainable Design

‍

Barriers should be designed to adapt to future needs, including:

‍

• Electric vehicle infrastructure
• Smart surveillance systems
• Emergency vehicle access

‍

Using removable or smart barriers is encouraged for urban roads that may undergo modifications in the future.

‍

Conclusion

‍

The IRC Code SP 119 lays down a visionary approach to urban road planning, where safety is as vital as sustainability and aesthetics. Traffic safety barriers are not standalone entities—they must be part of a well-designed, multifunctional, and environmentally sensitive streetscape.

‍

When designing or upgrading urban roads, engineers and planners must consider not just where to put barriers—but how those barriers interact with the landscape, pedestrians, utilities, and the urban ecosystem at large.

‍

RoadVision AI is transforming infrastructure development and maintenance by harnessing artificial intelligence and computer vision AI to revolutionize road safety and management. By leveraging advanced computer vision artificial intelligence and digital twin technology, the platform enables the early detection of potholes, cracks, and other road surface issues, ensuring timely repairs and better road conditions. With a mission to build smarter, safer, and more sustainable roads, RoadVision AI tackles challenges like traffic congestion and ensures full compliance with IRC Codes. By empowering engineers and stakeholders with data-driven insights, the platform reduces costs, minimizes risks, and enhances the overall transportation experience.