Gulf Construction Online - Outimex aims to make GCC roads safer

Germany & the Mideast

Outimex’s Mega Rail system prevents overriding by heavy vehicles.

Outimex aims to make GCC roads safer

01 March 2009

OUTIMEX Corporation, a global leader specialising in passive road safety engineering, has been introducing innovative systems into the market for many years and is now looking at promoting the benefits of its Mega Rail system in the Gulf region.

This system is a unique barrier that is effective both with small vehicles and heavy ones, such as buses or trucks, according to a spokesman for the German firm. The steel barrier system, which conforms to road containment safety levels ranging from N2 to H2, consists of four standard elements and can be deployed for all areas of application along motorways and roads.
Highlighting the advantages of this system, the spokesman says: “In traditional steel systems that form a continuous 75 cm high barrier band, there is the danger that a truck or a bus may easily override the barrier or cars may underrun it, in case of a crash. The Mega Rail system consists of two bands with barriers at 60 cm height and box profiles at 90 cm. This prevents both the underrunning of the barrier by small, low vehicles as well as overriding by heavy vehicles. By limiting the system to 90 cm in height, it also meets the requirements for visibility along the roads.”
The system, he says, has been internally tested at specially equipped test tracks and due to its effectiveness, economy and the fact that it meets the latest requirements set for modern road and highway restraint systems, Mega Rail is in demand throughout Europe where its already is being used extensively.
The system feature only four standardised elements and allows seamless transition among Mega Rail systems, requiring no transitional structures. “The same construction height and construction width for all Mega Rail systems permit seamless connections with one another, with a change of system being virtually imperceptible. In every cross-section of the connection, there is at least one full cross-section of one of the connecting structures,” he says.
The use of standardised elements – barrier A or B, post C 100/C 125, box profile and spacers – provide for easy connection also to conventional constructions, he adds.
The Mega Rail has a number of attributes, states the spokesman, including greatly reduced use of material; continuity, having a 90 cm height and uniform construction; simple to assemble; and can be used both as a rammed construction as well as anchored on structures.

Licensing
The system is also offered to other manufacturers under an inexpensive licensing agreement. “The licence issuer, Outimex A, is a member of the quality assurance body RAL RG 620,” he says.
Outimex is internationally-focused believing that “international orientation and commercial partnerships are extremely important to its continued growth”. The company’s goal is to be actively present throughout the world, wherever innovative solutions for passive road safety are required.
Commenting about the company’s domestic market and business prospects in Europe, the spokesman is highly optimistic. “In Germany, Outimex Corporation maintains a consistently large market share and enjoys good prospects for the future, given the large number of infrastructure projects to be carried out in Europe. The development and market launch of innovative elements and systems, as well as our proactive approach to establishing systems in anticipation of European DIN EN 1317 standards and national guidelines (RPS, RSA) has and will remain an important part of our growth strategy.”
“Furthermore, Outimex is actively involved in committees and commissions to harmonise EN 1317 standards. At Outimex, we primarily favour steel but are increasingly considering future trend hybrid materials, such as concrete and synthetic materials,” the spokesman says.
“Innovation and dynamism are the key strengths of Outimex. Our vast experience, our qualified staff and our wide range of products ensures the right solution for every area of application that we provide to our clients and customers,” he concludes.