Benton, Arkansas – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has launched a new pilot project aimed at testing an innovative guardrail system that could enhance roadway safety across the state. The Safety Rolling Barrier (SRB) has been installed at the on-ramp from Highway 35 north (Carpenter Road) to the Interstate 30 eastbound frontage road in Benton, located in Saline County.
Rolling Barriers Aim to Reduce Impact and Damage
Unlike traditional steel guardrails, SRBs feature a series of rotating plastic rollers that absorb the force of an impact and help redirect the vehicle along the barrier’s curve before bringing it to a stop. The unique design is intended to disperse energy more evenly and reduce the severity of crashes for drivers while also minimizing damage to the barrier itself.
“Our agency is committed to enhancing safety and embracing modern technologies,” said ARDOT Director Jared Wiley. “This pilot installation of an emerging technology offers us a chance to check both of those boxes. Depending on the outcome of this test, rolling barriers could become another tool in our toolbox as we strive to continually improve highway safety for all users.”
The SRBs have undergone crash testing and have shown promising results. According to ARDOT, they tend to sustain less structural damage during collisions, which can lower repair costs, while also causing less damage to vehicles involved in such accidents—benefiting both the agency and the traveling public.
One-Year Monitoring Period Underway
This is the first time SRBs have been installed on a state-owned Arkansas roadway. ARDOT will closely monitor the Benton location over the course of a one-year evaluation period to measure effectiveness. If the results are positive, the department may expand the use of SRBs to other areas where guardrails are commonly placed.
The pilot reflects ARDOT’s broader commitment to adopting new technologies that enhance road safety and reduce risks for motorists across Arkansas.
