Old Town LOMR-SP060531Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 2 — Metal Railing
Section 2
Metal Railing
Traffic Railing Type T101
Profile
Description
This railing is 27 inches high with two rectangular tubes and W beam, and with W6X20
posts spaced a maximum of 8.33 ft. apart. Its minimum height after maintenance overlays is
27 inches.
The T 10 1 railing was approved for TL -3 use after evaluation of results from successful crash test-
ing in 1978. See Figure 2 -1, below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -7 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -1. Type T101 Railing
Section 2 — Metal Railing Chapter 2 —Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Traffic Railing Type T421
Profile
Description
This railing is 32 inches high and all steel. This railing has a 10.75 -inch, round -pipe rail
-
centered at 14 % inches high and a 5.56 -inch, round -pipe rail at 32 inches high. Its posts are
slanted and are 5.56 inches in diameter, spaced a maximum of 7 '/z ft. apart. Its minimum
height after maintenance overlays is not yet established.
NOTE: This railing is no longer used for new construction.
The T421 railing was crash tested in 1989 with a 4,500 -1b. large car at 62 mph and at an angle of
impact of 25 degrees. It was approved for TL -2 use (a design speed of 45 mph or less) after evalua-
tion of the results from its 1989 crash testing. See Figure 2 -2, below.
Traffic Railing Type T6
Profile
Description
This railing is 27 inches high with two W -beam members welded back to back and with
-
breakaway posts spaced a maximum of 6.25 ft. apart. Its minimum height after maintenance
overlays is 27 inches.
This railing is acceptable for TL -2 use (a design speed of 45 mph or less).
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -8 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -2. Type T421 Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 2 — Metal Railing
Pedestrian Railing Type PRl
Profile
Description
This railing is 42 inches high and all steel. It has six pipe rails, with 3 -inch standard steel
pipe for the top rail and 2 -inch standard steel pipe for the lower rails. Its 5 -inch wide steel -
plate posts are spaced a maximum of 10 ft. apart. Its minimum height after maintenance
overlays is 42 inches.
The PR1 railing is designed for pedestrian loads only. It has not been crash tested, and it is not
intended for exposure to traffic. If this railing is used on a bridge or culvert, it must be protected
from vehicular impact by an approved bridge railing type. See Figure 2 -3, below.
Figure 2 -3. Type PRI Railing
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -9 TxDOT 0512006
Section 3 — Metal and Concrete Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 3
Metal and Concrete Railing
Traffic Railing Type T4 (S)
Profile
Description
This railing is 33 inches high with an 18 -inch concrete parapet and a steel ellipse 15 inches
above the concrete. It has twin one -inch cut -plate posts spaced a maximum of 10 ft. apart.
Its minimum height after maintenance overlays is not yet established.
NOTE: This railing is no longer used for new construction. It
has been superseded for new construction by the T401
railing.
The 33 -inch T4 (S) railing has not been crash tested; however, TxDOT considers it as equal in
strength and geometry to the Type T4 (A) railing, which was crash tested in 1999 and is approved
for TL -3 use. See Figure 2 -4, below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -10 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -4. 33 -inch Type T4 (S) Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 3 — Metal and Concrete Railing
Traffic Railing Type T4 (A)
Profile
Description
This railing is 33 inches high with an 18 -inch concrete parapet and an aluminum, bullet-
shaped ellipse 15 inches above the concrete. It has thick, cast aluminum posts spaced a
maximum of 8.33 ft. apart. Its minimum height after maintenance overlays has not yet been
established.
NOTE: This railing is no longer used for new construction.
The T4 (A) railing was crash tested in 1999 with a 4,409 -1b. pickup truck at 62 mph and at an angle
of impact of 25 degrees. It is approved for TL -3 use. See Figure 2 -5, below.
Combination Railing Type C4 (S)
Profile
Description
This railing is 42 inches high with a 24 -inch concrete parapet, a steel ellipse at 18 inches
above the concrete, and a pipe rail between the steel ellipse and the concrete. It has twin
one -inch cut -plate posts spaced a maximum of 10 ft. apart. Its minimum height after main-
tenance overlays is 42 inches.
NOTE: This railing is no longer used for new construction. It
has been superseded for new construction by the C402
railing.
TxDOT considers the 42 -inch C4 (S) railing acceptable for TL -3 use. However, its pipe rail should
be removed when the C4 (S) is used in high -speed applications.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -11 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -5. T4 (A) Railing
Section 3 — Metal and Concrete Railing Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Traffic Railing Type T401
Profile
Description
This railing is 33- inches high with an 18 -inch concrete parapet and a steel ellipse 15 inches
above the concrete. It has twin one -inch cut -plate posts spaced a maximum of 10 ft. apart. It
features a bolt anchorage system for the steel rail posts that may be drilled and epoxy -
anchored allowing slip - forming of the concrete parapet. Its parapet is thicker than the T4(S)
rail, from which its design is derived.
TxDOT considers this railing equal in strength and geometry to the Type T4(A) railing, which was
crash tested in 1999 and is approved for TL -3 use.
Traffic Railing Type T402
Profile
Description
This railing is 42 inches high with a 24 -inch concrete parapet and a steel ellipse 18 inches
above the concrete. It has twin one -inch cut -plate posts spaced a maximum of 10 ft. apart. It
features a bolt anchorage system for the steel rail posts that may be drilled and epoxy -
anchored allowing slip - forming of the concrete parapet. Its parapet is thicker than that of the
C4(S) rail, from which its design is derived.
TxDOT considers this railing equal in strength to railings of like geometry that have been crash
tested and approved for TL -3 use.
Combination Railing Type C402
Profile
Description
This railing is 42 inches high with a 24 -inch concrete parapet and a steel ellipse 18 inches
above the concrete. It also includes a 2 -inch pedestrian pipe rail between the parapet and the
steel ellipse to be used on the sidewalk side of the rail. It has twin one -inch cut -plate posts
spaced a maximum of 10 ft. apart. It features a bolt anchorage system for the steel rail posts
that may be drilled and epoxy- anchored allowing slip - forming of the concrete parapet. Its
parapet is thicker than that of the T4(S) rail, from which its design is derived.
TxDOT considers this railing equal in strength to railings of like geometry that have been crash
tested and approved for TL -3 use.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -12 TxDOT 0512006
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 3 — Metal and Concrete Railing
Traffic Railing Type T77
Profile
Description
This railing is 33 inches high with a 9 -inch sloped concrete rail parapet and with two steel
—^
ellipses centered at 18 inches and 30'/2 inches above the roadway surface. The steel ellipses
are supported by 1 ' /4 -inch cut -plate posts spaced a maximum of 8 ft. apart.
The T77 railing has been successfully crash tested for TL -3 use.
NOTE: Significant restrictions based on bridge geometry on the use of this railing are documented
on the T77 standard drawing, posted on the internet at: http: / /www.dot.state.tx.us /insdtdot/
orgchart/ cmd/cserve /standard/bridge -e.htm #Railing.
Heavy Truck Railing Type HT
Profile
Description
This railing is a 32 -inch high concrete safety- shaped parapet with elliptical heavy steel rail-
ing mounted 18 inches above the concrete. Posts are twin one -inch steel -cut plates and are
spaced a maximum of 8.33 ft. apart. The minimum height of the concrete
parapet after maintenance overlays is 29 in.
NOTE: See standard drawing for overhang requirements.
This railing has had limited use in Texas. It was crash tested in 1984 with an 80,000 -1b. semi -truck
at 48 mph and at an angle of impact of 15 degrees. It was approved for TL -5 use after evaluation of
results from the 1984 crash testing. See Figure 2 -7, below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -13 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -6. Type T77 Railing.
Section 3 — Metal and Concrete Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Pedestrian Railing Type PR2
Profile
Description
This railing is 42 inches high with a short concrete parapet and steel posts and rails. It has
four pipe rails, with 3 -inch standard steel pipe for the top rail and 2 -inch standard steel pipe
for the lower rails. Its 5 -inch wide steel plate posts are spaced a maximum of 10 ft. apart. Its
minimum height after maintenance overlays is 42 inches.
The PR2 railing is designed for pedestrian loads only. It has not been crash tested and is not
intended for exposure to traffic. If this railing is used on a bridge or culvert, it must be protected
from vehicular impact by an approved bridge railing. See Figure 2 -8, below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -14 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -7. Type HT Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 3 — Metal and Concrete Railing
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -15 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -8. Type PR2 Railing
Section 4 — Concrete Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 4
Traffic Railing Type T201
Concrete Railing
Profile
Description
This railing is a 27 -inch high continuous concrete parapet. Its minimum height after mainte-
nance overlays is 27 inches.
NOTE: This railing is no longer used for new construction. It
has been superseded for new construction by the T221
railing.
The T201 railing is acceptable for TL -3 use. It has not been crash tested. However, TxDOT consid-
ers it similar in strength and geometry to the T203 railing, which has been successfully crash tested
and approved for TL -3 use. See Figure 2 -9, below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -16 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -9. Type T201 Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 4 — Concrete Railing
Combination Railing Type C201
Profile
Description
This railing is a 27 -inch high continuous concrete parapet and a two -tube steel pipe rail
mounted 42 inches above the ground. Its minimum height after maintenance overlays is 27
inches for the concrete parapet and 42 inches for the pipe rail.
NOTE: This railing is no longer used for new construction. It
has been superseded for new construction by the C221
railing.
The C201 railing is acceptable only for TL -2 use (a design speed of 45 mph or less) because its pipe
rail presents an occupant compartment intrusion threat to high speed vehicular traffic. See Figure 2-
10, below.
i
NI- N -1
Figure 2 -10. Type C201 Railing (Left Rail)
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -17 TxDOT 0512006
Section 4 — Concrete Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Bicycle Railing Type B201
Profile
Description
This railing is 63 inches high with a 27 -inch high concrete parapet supporting a chain link
fence. Its 2 -inch diameter standard pipe posts are spaced a maximum of 8 ft. apart. Its mini-
mum height after maintenance overlays has not yet been established.
NOTE: This railing is no longer used for new construction. It
has been superseded for new construction by the B221
railing.
The B201 railing is designed for bicycle and pedestrian loads only. It has not been crash tested and
is not intended for exposure to vehicular traffic.
Traffic Railing Type T203
Profile
Description
This railing is 27 inches high with a continuous concrete top beam 14 inches high by 13.5
inches wide on 13 -inch high concrete posts that are 5 ft. long and spaced a maximum of 10
ft. apart. Its minimum height after maintenance overlays is 27 inches. This railing i s
not recommended for direct connectors or flyovers.
The T203 railing was successfully crash tested in 1998 and approved for TL -3 use. See Figure 2 -11,
below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -18 TxDOT 05/2006
Figure 2 -11. Type T203 Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 4 — Concrete Railing
Combination Railing Type C203
Profile
Description
This railing is identical to the type T203 railing but with a two -tube steel pipe rail mounted
at 42 inches. Its total minimum height after maintenance overlays is 27 inches for the con -
crete rail and 42 inches for the pipe rail.
The C203 railing is acceptable for only TL -2 use (a design speed of 45 mph or less) because its pipe
rail presents an occupant compartment intrusion threat to high speed vehicular traffic. The C203 is
usually mounted on a raised sidewalk attached to a bridge deck.
Traffic Railing Type T221
Profile
Description
This railing is a 32 -inch high continuous parapet. Its parapet is taller and thicker than that of
the T201 railing from which its design is derived allowing optional use of welded wire
reinforcement.
TxDOT considers this railing equal in strength to railings of like geometry that have been crash
tested and approved for TL -3 use.
Combination Railing Type C221
Profile
Description
This railing is a 32 -inch high continuous parapet with a single pipe rail mounted 42 inches
above the roadway surface. It features a bolt anchorage system for the steel rail posts that
may be drilled and epoxy - anchored allowing slip - forming of the concrete parapet. Its para-
pet is taller and thicker than that of the C201 rail, from which its design is derived, allowing
for optional use of welded wire reinforcement.
The C221 railing is acceptable for only TL -2 use (a design speed of 45 mph or less) because the
— pipe rail presents an occupant compartment intrusion threat to high speed vehicular traffic.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -19 TxDOT 0512006
Section 4 — Concrete Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Bicycle Railing Type B221
Profile
Description
This rail is 68 inches high with a 32 -inch high concrete parapet supporting a chain link
fence. Its parapet is taller and thicker than that of the B201 rail from which its design is
derived.
The B221 railing is designed for bicycle and pedestrian loads only. It has not been crash tested and
is not intended for exposure to vehicular traffic.
Traffic Railing Type T411
Profile
Description
This railing is a 32 -inch high continuous concrete railing that has 6 -inch wide windows
spaced every 18 inches, center to center. Its minimum height after maintenance overlays has
not yet been established.
The T411 railing was crash tested in 1989 with a 4,500 -1b. large car at 60 mph and at an angle of
impact of 25 degrees. Later tests with a 4,409 -1b. pickup truck at 60 mph and at an angle of impact
of 25 degrees did not pass due to unacceptable occupant compartment intrusion. Therefore, this
railing is not to be used in high -speed areas.
This railing is acceptable for TL -2 use (a design speed of 45 mph or less). See Figure 2 -12, below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -20 TxDOT 0512006
Chapter 2 —Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
Section 4 — Concrete Railing
Combination Railing Type C411
Profile
Description
This railing is a 42 -inch high continuous concrete railing that has 6 -inch wide windows
spaced every 18 inches, center to center. Its minimum height after maintenance overlays is
42 inches.
Like the T411 railing type, this rail is acceptable for only TL -2 use (a design speed of 45 mph or
less). See Figure 2 -13, below.
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -21 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -12. Type T411 Railing
Section 4 — Concrete Railing
Chapter 2 — Acceptable Bridge Railing in Texas
. :
Bridge Railing Manual 2 -22 TxDOT 0512006
Figure 2 -13. Type C411 Railing
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