ORCID Number

0009-0000-3303-6606

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Access Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Department

Civil Engineering

Committee Chair

Scott Parr

Committee Chair Email

Parrs1@erau.edu

First Committee Member

Scott Kirts

First Committee Member Email

scott.kirts@dot.state.fl.us

Second Committee Member

Hongyun Chen

Second Committee Member Email

chenh4@erau.edu

College Dean

James W. Gregory

Abstract

Roadside barriers such as guardrails are fundamental to roadway safety, providing a critical last line of defense in preventing vehicles from leaving the roadway and impacting potential hazards. As vehicles are ever changing, it is necessary for guardrail design to adapt in response. Many contemporary vehicles such as sport utility vehicles and light trucks have higher centers of gravity than previous years, while electric vehicles have increased weight. Having sufficient guardrail height is essential to ensure proper engagement with vehicles to prevent loss of containment during impact.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of current Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) guardrail heights in relation to the modern vehicle fleet. The study examines how vehicle characteristics such as weight, center of gravity, and type at crash locations involving guardrail failures to identify potential patterns between vehicle design and vehicle containment success.

Five years of Florida crash data will be analyzed to identify guardrail failures at both the 27¾-inch and 31-inch heights. Crashes in which vehicles travel through, over, or under a guardrail will be further assessed based on the involved vehicles’ characteristics. The analysis will focus on evaluating the ability of FDOT’s standard 31-inch height to effectively redirect and contain vehicles. Relationships between vehicle characteristics and guardrail performance outcomes will provide insight into the adequacy of the current FDOT standard and inform potential updates to enhance roadside safety and compatibility with the modern vehicle fleet.

Findings from this research are expected to provide insight into the adequacy of the current FDOT guardrail standards. The use of crash data will address the existing gap between controlled crash test performance and field outcomes by evaluating how guardrails behave under a wide range of modern vehicle types. This evidence-based assessment will strengthen understanding of guardrail performance in Florida and inform FDOT of potential necessary updates for enhancing roadway safety.

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