Jersey Barriers - Portable Traffic Barriers

Jersey Barriers, also known as K-Rails in the western United States, have been in use since the 1960's when they were tested for accident prevention in cross-lane situations where head-on collisions were likely. Originally made of high-density concrete, Jersey Barriers and K-Rails have undergone significant development including increasing the height profile to 42" for highway use in lane divisions and construction areas, and the creation of polyethylene barriers for temporary traffic re-direction and low speed impact control.

The design of the Jersey Barrier or K-Rail is such that it sits on a wide base usually 18" or wider and slopes upward to a top rail width of 6 - 9 inches. This slope is designed to deflect automobiles by allowing the tires to run up the slope which pivots the direction of the car back into the lane it originated in rather than allowing the vehicle to cross traffic into oncoming vehicles. The design has been so successful that it is now used in many non-traffic situations such as security perimeters and parking lot dividers in addition to the typical usage in highway accident prevention and lane re-direction.

The newer polyethylene Jersey Barriers are designed to be filled with either water or sand, depending on whether a temporary traffic/security solution is desired or a more permanent solution is wanted. Water is a quick and easy way to create continuously connected walls of barriers - just place barriers in location desired and fill with water. If relocation is needed, simply drain the water and transport barriers to new location. Sand filled barriers should be approached as a permanent placement option, as sand is difficult to dispose of and must be removed from the location once drained from the barriers.