Vehicle Restraint Team

Vehicle Restraint Team

Driving along the A28 in Ashford some workmen were observed busy at the side of the road.  Their large white van was signwritten (with great pride):-  "VEHICLE RESTRAINT TEAM" 

What a grand title!   What they were actually doing was installing a crash-barrier.

So their brief is to 'restrain vehicles'  nothing to suggest that they should protect other road users.  Especially pedestrians.  Set-belts could come under the description of  "Vehicle Restraints".  National Highways also refer to 'road restraints', how does one restrain a road?

What about changing their name and job description  to "Protecting other road users and pedestrians"?

Restraining vehicles ought to mean: "Slowing them down" ought it not?

Brakes are restraints.
So are wheel clamps

Accidental implementation!

Accidental implementation!

Amazingly this crash barrier is protecting the path, but the path was created long after the crash-barrier was installed.

The Street, Mersham.

Safety barriers near Chilham

Safety barriers near Chilham

Safety barriers near Chilham on the busy A28.   This footway is also used (Shared space) by cyclists in the interests of their safety.

The question is:-   Was the crash-barrier put in to protect vehicles; i.e.: prevent M/Vs from going down a bank and crashing into houses, or was it put in place to protect pedestrians?  The answer could be; 'probably', but not with the well-being pedestrians as the prime concern.  Thankfully that has been the net result, i.e.: 'a spin-off'.

Here (looking in the opposite direction) one can see that the barrier protects houses as well, which is not a bad thing.

                                             In the terms of Crash Barriers, putting pedestrians first is unusual.

Pedestrian protection

Pedestrian protection within a factory complex

even more for the disabled.

With a strict 10 mph speed limit imposed.

Getting it right.

Getting as right as possible.

Crash barriers should offer some protection to both the motorist and the Pedestrian where possible. 
Only the cyclist is not fully catered for in this instance.

Barriers in Germany

More crash-barriers in Germany; July 2014.

Crash-barrier on the corner of a road junction, as it should be, designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

A correct instalation on, the A28.

Sometimes (but not often) they get it right as in this case alongside a footway, which in turn is alongside the A20 between Ashford and Charing.     

The state of the footway leaves a lot to be desired.