Scope of Application
The Standard is mandatory for federal, state, and municipal highways and urban roads with design or operating speeds above 50 km/h, including concession-held infrastructure. It applies to new projects and to the replacement of existing barrier systems.
Key Technical Changes for the Standard
a) Alignment with 2016 MASH. The Standard fully adopts the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware1 (“MASH”) published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (“AASHTO”) in 2016, as the framework for full-scale impact testing, establishing test matrices across six containment levels (NC-1 through NC-6) for edge, median, bridge parapet, transition, and work-zone barriers.
b) Selection criteria based on AADT and speed. The minimum containment level is determined by cross-referencing operating/design speed with the annual average daily traffic of buses and freight vehicles (“AADT”). Higher heavy-vehicle presence triggers stricter containment requirements (up to NC-5 or NC-6).
c) Prohibition of “turned-down” terminals. Upon entry into force, installation of simple terminal ends OD-4.4.2/S type, commonly known as “turned-down” or “flare” terminals, is prohibited. Gradual replacement of existing terminals across the network is required.
d) Detailed calculation of run-out lengths. The Standard introduces formulas and worked examples for computing lead and lag run-out lengths on tangent sections and curves, including correction factors for horizontal radius and vehicle mix.
e) Mandatory inventory, maintenance and permanent marking. All concessionaires and responsible agencies must maintain an up-to-date database of barriers, implement routine inspection programs, and permanently stamp each barrier with system name, containment level, manufacturer and installation year.
What does this Mean for the Concessionaires and Road Infrastructure Contractors’ Sector?
a) New projects. Construction, widening, or reconstruction project plans must integrate barrier design in compliance with the Standard. Only systems holding a conformity certificate or an approval letter issued by SICT’s General Directorate of Technical Services qualify for use; approved barriers are listed on that Directorate’s website2.
b) Existing network. Non-compliant barriers must be corrected or replaced during routine conservation and resurfacing works. The obligation falls on the responsible authority or concessionaire. For bridge parapets, replacement requires prior structural reinforcement assessment.
c) Public works and concession contracts. Concessionaires and contractors should anticipate that the competent authorities will update bidding documents and technical specifications for construction contracts to reflect the Standard’s new requirements.
d) Work zones. Temporary work-zone barriers (OD-4.6) are equally subject to the six containment levels and certification requirements, necessitating a review of traffic protection plans on active construction sites.
Recommended Next Steps
1.- Review existing barrier inventories across the concession network or projects in procurement to identify installations that do not meet the required containment levels.
2.- Anticipate that bidding documents and technical specifications for ongoing and upcoming construction contracts will be updated by the relevant authorities to reflect the new requirements, and identify in advance the contracts and projects that may be affected before the 180-day deadline expires.
3.- Verify that barrier suppliers hold a valid SICT conformity certificate or approval letter in effect at the time of contract award.
4.- Assess the impact on maintenance programs and annual conservation budget allocations across the network.
Our Infrastructure & Public Works team is available to assess the Standard’s impact on your projects, review contracts and technical specifications, and support you in updating your compliance programs. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
[1] Available for downloading on: https://store.transportation.org/Item/PublicationDetail?ID=2707
[2] Available on (spanish language site only): https://micrs.sct.gob.mx/infraestructura/direccion-general-de-servicios-tecnicos/seguridad-vial-n/dispositivos-de-seguridad-autorizados/
