Q COSTA RICA — The National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (Lanamme), attached to the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) annual report pointed out the presence of deficiencies in the containment systems to guarantee road safety on Ruta 27, which connects the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) with the port of Caldera on the Pacific coast.
The finding is found in the recent Road Safety Evaluation Report of the San José-Caldera project, published by the Lanamme in December 2024.
Regarding the level of road mobility and safety, widespread deficiencies were evident on the main road and its radials both in the geometric designs and road signs, the design of the road margins, the vehicle containment systems, the connectivity between the road and pedestrian crossings, among others.
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In addition, the states of deficiencies in the horizontal markings, vertical signs and vehicle containment systems with structural problems such as discontinuities were evaluated.
Regarding accident records, Lanamme identified and evaluated the sites with the highest incidence of accidents and collisions, which determined the corresponding risk factors in the respective road infrastructure.
“Based on the type of horizontal linear demarcation, it was possible to show that a total of 90% of the sections and sites identified as being in poor condition show deterioration in the continuous lines (96 sections) with a length equivalent to 3.86 linear km, followed by 10% for the discontinuous lines (11 sections) with an equivalent length of 0.39 linear km.
“Based on the type of horizontal road demarcation of signaling figures by area, a total of 58% of the identified figures are observed to show deterioration in terms of channeling islands (31 figures), 40% correspond to stop lines (21 figures) and 2% correspond to pedestrian crossings (1 figure),” indicated the route evaluation report.
Regarding the type of horizontal marking, 27% of the structures showed deterioration in the directional arrows, while there were problems in 12% of the maximum speed signs and 40% of the CEDA signs faced a similar problem.
Margins
According to the report, deficiencies in the road margins are “recurrent and constant” on the road and radials, especially in the insufficiency of the internal and external shoulder widths, ditches with risky sections and lights, piles or signal posts with risks for users.
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“In general terms, the semi-rigid containment systems were placed on the margins and the surface was covered with concrete or pavement, a condition that does not allow evidence of whether the anchoring was carried out according to the typical conditions in which these devices are tested.
“The semi-rigid barriers and concrete barriers present elements that disrupt the continuity of the device, a condition that limits its proper functioning as a system and could increase the severity of a road crash,” the Lanamme document stated.
As for the discontinuities of the barriers, there are portico-type signal bases and bridge piers that invade the “scarce shoulder space,” which “promotes collision with these elements,” which would affect the conditions in which users walk.
Regarding the toll booths, Lanamme emphasized that if they are collided with, there is a risk of breaking off pieces of concrete that could increase serious damage to drivers, passengers, and toll personnel.
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The report found that the ditches have a triangular cross-section, which when accompanied by the “scarce width of the shoulders” represents a continuous risk on the highway that connects the Greater Metropolitan Area with the Central Pacific.
During the inspections, obstacles were identified on the highway because the vehicle containment systems were placed behind a triangular ditch.
Although it is true that cases were identified in which metal barriers are connected to concrete barriers, there is no certainty as to whether they are appropriate for the functionality of the road.
Recommendations
Lanamme recommended that the National Concessions Council (CNC) prepare an analysis of the road margins for the current condition and consider it with a view to future expansions.
This would be to identify risks, select options to address them, and specify the criteria for the vehicle containment system for proper implementation.
In addition, use devices that promote the safe incorporation of lights into the containment system, or relocate bridge piers, metal plates or signal bases that obstruct passage.
It was also recommended to install impact absorbers, since the concrete terminals at the beginning and end of the median barriers increase the probability of collisions and vehicle overturning.
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