Why do they put fences along highways?

09 Dec.,2024

 

Highway Fences: Security & Noise Reduction - Grasstik

A highway fence is a barrier constructed alongside roads, usually made from materials such as metal, wood, plastic, concrete, or brick. These fences come in various designs, each tailored to a specific purpose.

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Highway fencing is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they are built to help reduce noise from busy highways, enhancing the quality of life for nearby residents. Fences also improve the safety and efficiency of roadways by aiding in traffic management, environmental protection, accident prevention, and other functions.

What Are the Advantages of Using Highway Fence?

Noise Reduction

Some highway fences are designed to reduce noise for local residents and nearby buildings.

Safety of Drivers and Passersby

Fences prevent accidents by keeping pedestrians from crossing highways at unsafe locations. They also absorb impact and redirect vehicles back onto the roadway, reducing the severity of accidents.

Animal Protection

Highway fences keep animals off the roads, making the roads safer for drivers and protecting animals from traffic hazards.

Environmental Protection

Fences help control soil erosion by acting as barriers against wind and water runoff, preserving the surrounding environment.

Heat Reduction

Freeway Fences can act as sun shades, keeping the road surface cooler and reducing the overall temperature of the roadway.

Road Structure Protection 

Fences prevent the disruption of roads caused by water, snow, and wind, helping to maintain optimal road conditions.

Reduced Driver Distraction

Highway fences create safer roads by shielding drivers from pedestrian walkways and animals, thus reducing distractions.

Wind Reduction

Freeway Fencing absorbs wind, reducing its disruptive effects on the roadway.

Why Do Freeways Have Fences?

In the USA, it's common to see highways lined with fences along the way. While these fences may vary in appearance, the question remains: why do freeways have fences exactly? There are several reasons, and the type of fence used often depends on the specific needs of different areas.

Some fences are installed to act as a barrier, reducing noise from the roads for nearby residents.

Others serve to enhance safety by keeping pedestrians away from traffic and by deflecting or catching out-of-control vehicles, preventing them from crossing into oncoming traffic.

There are fences that help maintain the high condition of the road by keeping debris and vegetation clear. 
Roadside fences also could serve as a deterrent against vandalism and unauthorized crossings on major roads. 
Moreover, they can mark the legal boundaries of the rights-of-way of highways designated as "limited access."

Freeway fences come in various styles and materials, but Grasstik offers solutions that can meet all of these requirements. Visit our page to learn more about how roadside fence can address your needs.

What Is Fencing Beside Freeway Exits For?

Safety

It keeps pedestrians and vehicles safe by guiding them to the right exit and preventing accidents.

Traffic Control

Fencing helps manage traffic flow, making sure vehicles enter and exit the freeway safely.

Property Protection

These fences mark where the freeway ends and private property begins, keeping trespassers out.

Wildlife Protection

They stop animals from getting onto the freeway, reducing the risk of accidents.

How Do Highway Fences Improve Highway Safety?

Highway fences provide safety for people both on and off the road. They ensure that pedestrians do not unexpectedly walk onto the road and that vehicles stay on their designated path, minimizing the risk of accidents. Moreover, freeway clear fence prevent animals and rocks from falling onto the road. Many local regulations mandate the installation of highway fences due to high traffic volume and a high accident rate.

Preventing Animal Crossings

Fences can reduce collisions between vehicles and large animals by 80&#;99%. However, gaps in fencing at intersections, on-ramps, and off-ramps can allow small animals to access the highway. Therefore, if there are multiple occasions with this, it is recommended to consider installing a fence cover or explore alternatives such as the Grasstik artificial grass grass fence.

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Decrease in Accident Rates

The presence of fences can help reduce the likelihood of certain types of accidents, such as collisions with fixed objects or rollovers. Moreover, accidents on highways without fences are more common due to the lack of physical barriers to prevent vehicles from crossing over to the opposite side, or running off the road.

How Durable Are Highway Fences and What Kind of Maintenance Is Required?

Highway fences are typically durable, but their strength varies depending on the material used. The most used options are concrete and metal fences. 

Concrete highway fences are the most robust you can find, capable of withstanding significant pressure, offering high security and privacy value, and requiring minimal maintenance. Metal fences may not stop a car, but they are cost-effective, difficult to bypass, provide visibility, and are easy to maintain, making them a popular option for road fences. 

To keep the fence in good shape, conduct regular inspections, regardless of the material used. Keeping an eye out for any damage or defects and promptly fixing them will ensure the fence lasts longer and remains effective.

Regular cleaning is also crucial. With the constant flow of traffic, debris, dirt, and even vegetation can gather along the fence and nearby road. Try to keep the area clean to maintain the fence's integrity. Moreover, in regions experiencing winter weather, it's necessary to regularly clear away snow and ice buildup.

For metal fences, especially those situated in harsh environments, occasional touch-ups such as applying paint or corrosion-resistant coatings are necessary to prevent rust and deterioration. 

How to Install a Highway Fence?

Firstly, start with thorough planning. Consider the purpose of the fence, the specific area where it will be installed, and potential obstacles like trees, rocks, rivers, and uneven ground. Also, decide on your budget beforehand and the type of fence you&#;ll use. Then, check local regulations regarding fence features such as height, materials, and distance from the highway.

Once the planning is done, prepare the installation area. Clear away grass, trees, debris, or any other obstructions. Create a clear layout for where the fence will go, ensuring you include exits along its length for emergency situations and access by maintenance staff.

Next comes the installation phase. You can either do this yourself or hire a professional installation company or team. 

What Is the Installation Process of Highway Fence?

  • Use a post-hole digger to create holes for the posts. 
  • Place the posts in the holes and fill them with concrete mix.
  • Let the concrete set for at least 24-48 hours before attaching the fencing material.
  • Attach fence material:

    If using concrete barriers or chain-link fences that require a top rail, install it to connect the posts or supports.

    For wire mesh fences, unroll the mesh and attach it to the posts or supports using appropriate fasteners.

    For plastic and PVC fences, secure the panels or sections to the posts with screws or clips.

    And for steel or aluminum guardrails, attach the railing sections securely to the support posts.
  • Ensure all posts and the fence are stable and properly secured.
  • If your fence design includes gates, install them according to the manufacturer&#;s instructions.

What Are the Important Points to Consider Before Installing the Highway Fence?

There are numerous local and state regulations that must be carefully followed. If we are talking about the USA highway fences, you would likely need a permit from the state Department of Transportation. Also, contact local utility companies before digging any holes for the poles to avoid damaging underground lines.

And, of course, prioritize safety for yourself and your team. Always wear appropriate protective gear when handling tools and materials.

What Are the Types of Highway Fences?

Concrete Barriers

These are robust and durable, providing strong protection against vehicle collisions. They are often used in medians( the area between opposing lanes of traffic) and around construction zones.

Metal Fences

These include chain-link fences and wire mesh fences. They are versatile and can be used for general "highway needs" and security purposes.

Plastic and PVC Fences

Used as a temporary solution, around construction sites or for crowd control during events. They are lightweight and easy to install and remove.

Steel or aluminum guardrails

Used in medians, roadsides, and on bridges for road safety, these guardrails serve different purposes but are primarily designed to prevent vehicles, including motorcycles, from crossing into oncoming traffic

Grasstik Privacy fence

Grasstik offers highly aesthetic solutions that provide privacy and security:

  • Grass Fence Roll: This versatile option can be installed on various types of fences, including chain-link, wood, vinyl, wrought iron, and concrete walls, or even between two posts. It allows you to easily create a private area, shielding your home from busy, polluted roads. It's also an excellent choice for adding fencing along freeways for safety and noise reduction.
  • Grass Fence Panels: These lightweight, aesthetically pleasing panels are an ideal solution for any temporary privacy needs. They are easy to clean, reusable, and straightforward to install.

How Do Highway Fences Affect the Environment?

Highway fences play a crucial role in environmental improvement by controlling soil erosion and preventing flooding. More importantly, they create barriers that deter animals from accessing roads, thereby reducing the risk of collisions between vehicles and wildlife. This helps prevent animal fatalities by 50% that occur when animals wander onto busy roads. Sometimes, wildlife corridors are constructed to guide animals to safer crossing points under or over highways without disturbing the local fauna's ecosystem.

Fencing for Roads and Highways – Protecting both ...

The rise in accidents and fatalities on roads across many nations is a cause for alarm amongst the public. As a result, both national and provincial Governments have had to consider putting a sustainable plan in place to safeguard our roads and ensure the safety of its citizens. While many temporary and permanent solutions have been tested and implemented, innovative fencing for roads and highways has emerged as a dynamic answer to this problem.

In this article, we briefly outline the dangers of not securing key roads and highways with essential infrastructure, while outlining both the ClearVu Invisible Wall and ClearVu curve products as a long-term solution to pedestrian and motorist safety.

The Clear and Present Danger of Unsecured Roads and Highways

With most commuters back on the roads following the lifting of the majority of COVID-19 restrictions, the unfamiliar sight of congestion and busy rush-hour traffic has once again reared its ugly head. This increases the risks of collisions, due to reckless driving, overtaking, and distractions (e.g. motorists on cell phones) not to mention, driver fatigue and the possibility of pedestrians walking into incoming traffic.

Governments, transport departments and key traffic entities should not wait until a catastrophe occurs on our roads before taking action. It is critical that the relevant authorities take preventative action to ensure the safety of their citizens.

What are the Benefits of installing Fencing for Roads and Highways?

While there are a number of fencing solutions that can be installed on roads and highways, it is important to choose the infrastructure that balances both road safety, while also blending into its environment. For this reason, the attractive options of ClearVu Invisible Wall and the ClearVu Curve (for bridges and overpasses) provide high security fencing for the required stretch of road, which are durable, attractive and cost-effective.

The installation of fencing for roads and highways can provide the following benefits;
  • Creates effective demarcation between opposite lanes of traffic
  • Prevents vehicles from veering into oncoming traffic
  • Creates a preventative barrier to reduce the impact and escalation of collisions.
  • Deters pedestrians from running across busy roads and highways
  • Acts as a deterrent for livestock and wild animals to roam onto roads, in rural areas.


One of the key advantages of ClearVu Invisible Wall as the solution to road safety and channelisation challenges is the versatility of the product. All Cochrane Products are modular in nature and can adapt and expand, according to current and future requirements. The product also features extensive security measures, including tamper-resistance and ultra-strong post-finish, to protect your investment from the risks of vandalism and theft.

Safeguarding Roads and Highways across the Globe with ClearVu

The ClearVu Invisible wall is an innovative product that can be used for a variety of purposes, including motorist and pedestrian safety and securing Government, commercial and critical infrastructure. It is made of high-grade steel materials that are virtually indestructible. The ClearVu barrier can be installed on any type of highway, and it is designed to withstand the impact of high-speed vehicles. In addition, the ClearVu wall is highly transparent, ensuring that it does not obscure the broader view of motorists in transit.

At Cochrane Global, we believe that our range of ClearVu physical perimeter barriers provides an important tool to keep roads and highways, both in urban and rural areas, safe and efficient. It serves as an essential part of any nation&#;s infrastructure.

Contact a member of our Sales Team in your region today, to customise your next project to its exact standards and security needs.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Highway Fencing.