reunasuojat

Reunasuojat are protective barriers installed along road shoulders, medians, bridges and other roadside areas to prevent vehicles from leaving the carriageway and to absorb crash energy. They are a key element of roadside safety, reducing the severity of run-off crashes and, in some cases, redirecting vehicles back onto the roadway.

Common types include steel guardrails (teräsreunasuojat), which use modular posts and steel beam sections to deform and absorb energy; concrete barriers (betonreunasuojat), which provide rigid protection for high-hazard locations; cable barriers, which use tensioned cables between posts to arrest vehicles on certain road types; energy-absorbing crash cushions and attenuators placed at end-of-guardrail hazards; and temporary or demountable barriers used in construction zones.

Design and installation follow national road safety standards and guidelines. Selection of type, spacing and post strength depends on traffic speed, volume, roadside hazards, terrain, and the desired crash performance. End treatments and crash cushions are used where guardrails meet rigid obstacles or at transitions to reduce snagging and deceleration injuries.

Maintenance involves regular inspection, repair or replacement of damaged sections, post corrosion protection, and ensuring correct clearance from the traveled way. Post-incident inspections assess any hidden damage and the need for recalibration or upgrades to maintain performance.

Reunasuojat are most common on highways and rural roads but are also found around rail facilities and industrial areas. They are designed to reduce the likelihood of a vehicle leaving the roadway and to limit crash severity, though improper placement can introduce other risks for pedestrians, cyclists, or parked vehicles.