How should portable barriers be terminated when the cross-slope exceeds 10:1?

When portable barriers are installed on roadways, their termination is crucial for ensuring safety and effective traffic management. In situations where the cross-slope exceeds 10:1, terminating the barriers on a paved shoulder is the recommended practice.

The reason for this is that a paved shoulder offers a stable, even surface that can safely accommodate the end of the barrier, reducing the risk of vehicle snagging or instability. Terminating on a paved surface ensures that vehicles can safely maneuver around the barriers without unexpected hazards. This practice is key to maintaining the integrity of both the traffic control devices and the roadway.

Choosing other termination points like on the roadway could obstruct traffic flow and create safety issues, while terminating at an intersection may pose risks for vehicles entering or exiting the intersection. Similarly, ending on a median strip could lead to accidents as vehicles may not expect a barrier at that location. Therefore, terminating portable barriers on a paved shoulder ensures the highest level of safety and functionality in areas with challenging cross-slopes.