Guardrails are usually galvanized, corrugated steel safety system designed to contain, redirect, and decelerate impacting vehicles through a predictable, energy-absorbing deformation process, thereby saving lives and reducing accident severity.
The most common type is the W-beam or Trie-beam guardrail, made from galvanized steel for high corrosion resistance, ensuring long-term durability with minimal maintenance. The end of guardrail runs feature specially designed terminals (e.g. energy-absorbing and terminals like ET-Plus or flared endings) that either crush/deflect to absorb energy or bury the end into the ground if hit head-on, preventing the rail from spearing the vehicle.They provide positive guidance to drivers, especially in poor visibility or on curves, by clearly making the road edge.
