High-security fencing to protect railway lines against trespassing and vandalism
The safety of railway infrastructure does not depend on a single component. Stations, tracks, overpasses, bridges and areas close to the overhead line equipment present different risks that should be assessed together from the design stage.
Unauthorised access, trespassing on railway tracks, acts of vandalism and objects thrown from elevated structures can affect people, train movements and service continuity. For this reason, high-security railway fencing should be integrated with other protection systems, including railings, handrails and catenary protection visors.
The objective is not simply to mark the boundary of an area. It is to create infrastructure capable of making trespassing more difficult, managing pedestrian movements and protecting the locations with the greatest exposure to risk.
Why is high-security railway fencing necessary?
Railway facilities frequently coexist with urban environments, industrial areas, roads and pedestrian routes. This proximity supports mobility, but it can also create uncontrolled access points to stations, platforms, technical compounds and operational tracks.
Unauthorised access can lead to collisions, service disruption, damage to railway assets and dangerous situations around electrical equipment. These risks are accompanied by vandalism, theft of materials and the creation of informal crossings over railway tracks.
The European Union Agency for Railways report on railway safety and interoperability highlights the importance of monitoring accidents involving unauthorised people on railway premises. This monitoring is essential both for protecting the public and for maintaining the safety and operational quality of the network.
Within this context, railway equipment systems should be selected according to the characteristics of the location, its level of use, the proximity of populated areas and the requirements established by the infrastructure manager.
Fencing as the first layer of protection
Railway fencing provides the first barrier between public space and a restricted area. Its design should clearly define the boundary, deter unauthorised entry and make the system more difficult to climb or tamper with.
Not every section of railway infrastructure requires the same solution. A station within an urban area presents different conditions from an interurban railway line, a technical compound or an overpass. The design should therefore respond to a prior risk assessment and should not be limited to the installation of conventional fencing.
Characteristics of high-security railway fencing
The main technical aspects to consider include:
- The overall height of the fence and its suitability for the identified risk level.
- The size and arrangement of the mesh to make climbing more difficult.
- The strength of the posts, panels, connections and anchoring systems.
- The use of security fixings that resist unauthorised tampering.
- Adaptation to changes in gradient, curves and singular points.
- The absence of lower or lateral gaps that could facilitate access.
- Protection against corrosion and environmental conditions.
- The ability to inspect, maintain and replace individual modules.
The SECURITY PLUS anti-intrusion fence, for example, uses steel panels with narrow mesh and tamper-resistant security fixings. Its configuration can be adapted to different heights, gradients and changes of direction, which is particularly important within railway environments with irregular geometries.
Protection against vandalism and thrown objects
In addition to access through the perimeter, risks can arise from elevated infrastructure crossing above the tracks. Bridges, viaducts, footbridges and overpasses can become locations from which objects are thrown onto trains, the railway platform or electrical installations.
At these locations, fencing should be designed to address not only intrusion but also the possibility of objects being thrown through or over the structure.
Anti-vandal fencing incorporates configurations and heights intended to increase the lateral protection of these structures. Its design should examine continuity between modules, connections with railings and vehicle restraint systems, the strength of the anchors and the elimination of vulnerable points at the ends.
The most appropriate solution will depend on factors such as the height of the crossing, the type of railway below it, whether the line is electrified, pedestrian movements and the proximity of urban areas. Each installation should therefore be defined according to the particular conditions of the project.
Handrails and accessible movement within stations
Railway safety also covers pedestrian routes. Passengers should be able to move through entrances, ramps, stairs, platforms and internal passageways in a stable and understandable manner.
Handrails help people maintain their balance and provide continuous support for older people, passengers with reduced mobility and travellers carrying luggage. To perform this function correctly, they should be integrated into the route and avoid unnecessary interruptions.
Their design should consider aspects such as installation height, continuity, clearance from the wall, ease of grip, the treatment of the ends and visual contrast. The final dimensions and configuration of the component should comply with accessibility requirements and the particular specifications of the project.
The concrete wall handrail is a solution comprising a longitudinal tubular component supported by posts and designed for installation within railway infrastructure. The ability to adapt the length and geometry of its modules makes it possible to address straight sections, curves, gradients and changes of direction.
Handrails do not replace railings or fences. Each component performs a different function: a handrail provides support during movement, a railing protects against falls and fencing restricts access to unauthorised areas.
Visors for protecting the catenary at overpasses
The catenary is one of the most sensitive parts of an electrified railway line. The proximity of overpasses, footbridges and bridges can create a risk of accidental contact or of objects falling or being thrown onto electrical equipment.
Catenary protection visors are installed at these locations to create a physical separation between people and the electrical lines. They also help to prevent objects thrown or dropped from the upper deck from reaching the catenary directly.
These solutions should be calculated by taking account of the applied loads, the geometry of the structure, the position of the conductors, safety clearances and the particular conditions of the location.
Metalesa’s visor combines a fibreglass panel laminated with polyester resin, a metal supporting structure and anchors defined through structural calculations. Its height can be adapted to the requirements of the project, while its metal components can receive protective treatments against corrosion.
Catenary protection should not be treated as an isolated intervention. To ensure that the system works coherently, its connections with railings, anti-vandal fencing and the ends of the overpass should be carefully considered. A discontinuity between components can create a vulnerable point within the overall system.
Manufacturing and anchors are also part of safety
The performance of a fence does not depend solely on its height or appearance. Material quality, manufacturing accuracy and anchor design influence its behaviour throughout its service life.
Modules should be manufactured to controlled tolerances to ensure that they connect correctly on site. Posts and base plates should withstand the expected loads, while screws, bolts and welds should prevent local tampering or failure from compromising an entire section.
Structural movement, expansion joints, gradients, curved alignments and changes of direction should also be considered. These singular points require specific components and connections, as a standard solution could leave gaps or discontinuities.
Durability is another safety requirement in outdoor environments. Treatments such as hot-dip galvanising and powder coating help to protect steel against moisture, oxidation and environmental exposure. The treatment should be selected according to the site conditions and the intended service life.
Criteria for defining a complete railway solution
Before selecting fencing or any other protective component, a coordinated assessment of the infrastructure should be undertaken. The aspects to review include:
- Authorised access points and identified locations where trespassing occurs.
- The proximity of homes, schools, paths or industrial areas.
- The presence of platforms, overpasses, bridges and footbridges.
- Whether the line is electrified and the position of the catenary.
- Passenger routes and accessibility requirements.
- The loads acting on fences, railings and anchors.
- Environmental conditions and the level of exposure to corrosion.
- Inspection, maintenance and component replacement tasks.
- The requirements of the railway infrastructure manager and the project.
This assessment makes it possible to combine anti-intrusion fencing, anti-vandal fencing, railings, handrails and catenary protection visors within a coherent protection strategy.
A safety strategy adapted to each infrastructure
The protection of a station or railway line should be designed as a continuous system. Strong fencing can reduce access from outside, but it should be complemented by safe pedestrian routes and specific solutions for the locations presenting the greatest risks.
Handrails help passengers move more safely, railings protect changes in level and catenary protection visors reduce exposure to electrical equipment at overpasses. Coordinating these solutions makes it possible to address different risks without creating discontinuities.
For public authorities, railway infrastructure managers, engineering consultancies and construction companies, defining these components at an early stage facilitates their integration into the project, improves work planning and supports more structured maintenance throughout the service life of the infrastructure.
Railway safety begins with a rigorous assessment of the environment and continues through manufacturing, installation and inspection processes suited to the actual conditions of each location.
Why speed-related risks require high-containment vehicle restraint systems
Inappropriate speed reduces the time available to react, increases the distance required to stop a vehicle and worsens the consequences of a run-off-road collision. When a driver loses control on a bridge, viaduct or road alongside a significant drop, the opportunity to correct the vehicle’s path can disappear within seconds.
At these critical locations, vehicle restraint systems provide the final physical line of protection between the carriageway and the hazard beyond its edge. Their purpose is not to prevent the collision from occurring, but to contain and redirect the vehicle so that it does not reach a drop, a road or railway below, a structure or another feature that could increase the severity of the incident.
During the August holiday period, long-distance journeys increase and factors such as fatigue, distraction, greater vehicle occupancy and inappropriate speed can occur together. Prevention must always begin with responsible driving, but the infrastructure must also be prepared to respond when human judgement fails.
Speed increases the energy that the system must manage
The potential severity of an impact does not depend on speed alone. The mass of the vehicle, the angle at which it strikes the barrier and the characteristics of the contact point are also involved.
Kinetic energy increases with the square of speed. This means that an increase in speed generates a proportionally greater increase in the energy that must be managed by the vehicle, the restraint system and its anchors.
A passenger car and a heavy vehicle do not present the same impact scenario. Although a lorry or coach may be travelling at a lower speed, its mass means that the energy and forces involved in the impact are considerably greater.
For this reason, the selection of a bridge parapet should not be based solely on the speed limit of the road. The volume of heavy traffic, the type of collision that could occur, the road geometry and the consequences of a vehicle passing through the system should also be assessed.
What is a high-containment vehicle restraint system?
Vehicle restraint systems are passive safety devices designed to intercept an out-of-control vehicle, absorb part of its impact energy and redirect its path towards the carriageway in a controlled manner.
UNE-EN 1317 establishes a common method for evaluating these systems through full-scale crash tests. The results determine parameters including containment level, impact severity for the occupants, working width, dynamic deflection and vehicle intrusion.
Within this classification, H2 and H3 are considered high-containment levels. They are intended for scenarios in which a vehicle leaving the road could have serious consequences and where the system must be capable of containing vehicles with a greater mass.
A system being classified as H2 or H3 does not mean that it is intended exclusively for roads with a particular speed limit. The level expresses the capacity demonstrated through a standardised combination of tests. The final selection should reflect the project’s risk assessment and the application criteria established for the infrastructure.
How is the H2 containment level demonstrated?
To achieve the H2 level, the system must pass two complementary tests. The first verifies its ability to contain a heavy vehicle, while the second assesses the safety of occupants in a light vehicle.
TB51 test with a coach
The principal H2 test is known as TB51 and is carried out under the following conditions:
- Vehicle: coach.
- Mass: 13,000 kilograms.
- Impact speed: 70 kilometres per hour.
- Impact angle: 20 degrees.
The test verifies whether the system contains the coach, prevents it from passing through or overturning over the barrier and redirects it without creating a dangerous path for other road users.
TB11 test with a light vehicle
The same system must also pass the TB11 test:
- Vehicle: light passenger car.
- Mass: 900 kilograms.
- Impact speed: 100 kilometres per hour.
- Impact angle: 20 degrees.
This second test verifies that a barrier capable of containing a heavy vehicle is not excessively rigid for a passenger car. It also allows the accelerations experienced by the occupants to be calculated and the impact severity level to be determined.
The META13® bridge parapet has undergone full-scale testing in accordance with UNE-EN 1317-2 and is classified at containment level H2. The test was carried out on a cantilevered slab to reproduce the conditions of a bridge deck.
What does the H3 containment level require?
The H3 level increases the containment capacity through a test involving a heavier goods vehicle and a higher impact speed.
TB61 test with a heavy goods vehicle
The characteristic H3 test is TB61:
- Vehicle: non-articulated heavy goods vehicle.
- Mass: 16,000 kilograms.
- Impact speed: 80 kilometres per hour.
- Impact angle: 20 degrees.
As with the H2 level, the system must also pass the TB11 test with a 900-kilogram passenger car travelling at 100 kilometres per hour. This verifies both its ability to contain the heavy vehicle and its compatibility with the safety of light-vehicle occupants.
The META16® bridge parapet has an H3 containment level and has undergone full-scale impact tests on a cantilevered slab. Its behaviour is defined through parameters such as working width, dynamic deflection, vehicle intrusion and impact severity.
What is assessed during a crash test?
A crash test does not simply verify whether the barrier remains standing after the collision. Accredited laboratories use high-speed cameras, sensors and measuring systems to study the complete behaviour of the vehicle, the restraint system and its components.
The criteria assessed include:
- Whether the vehicle is prevented from passing through the restraint system.
- Whether the vehicle is prevented from overturning as it passes over or climbs the barrier.
- Whether the vehicle follows a controlled path after the impact.
- Whether the vehicle is prevented from entering other traffic lanes dangerously.
- Whether any large components become detached and create an additional hazard.
- Whether the system’s deformation remains within the measured values.
- Whether the accelerations transmitted to the occupants meet the acceptance criteria.
- Whether the anchors and supporting structure perform as intended.
Passing the test allows the system’s performance to be characterised under repeatable conditions. It does not mean that every real-world collision will involve exactly the same mass, speed or angle, but it enables solutions to be compared using a common technical method.
Containing and redirecting: two inseparable functions
A high-containment system should not simply stop the vehicle abruptly. An extremely rigid barrier might prevent a vehicle from leaving the road but could transmit excessive deceleration to its occupants.
The system should deform in a controlled manner to absorb part of the energy and redirect the vehicle towards the carriageway. Achieving this balance between strength and deformation is one of the main challenges in bridge parapet engineering.
The vehicle’s subsequent path is also critical. It should not rebound uncontrollably or return to the carriageway at a perpendicular angle. Appropriate redirection reduces the possibility of the vehicle entering other lanes and causing a secondary collision.
Working width, deflection and vehicle intrusion
In addition to selecting H2 or H3, the designer must assess the space required for the system to deform and contain the vehicle.
Dynamic deflection
Dynamic deflection is the maximum lateral displacement of the face of the system closest to the traffic during the impact. It indicates how far the barrier moves from its original position.
Working width
Working width considers the maximum distance reached by any essential part of the system during the collision. This parameter is particularly important when noise barriers, sign supports, structural elements or pedestrian routes are located behind the parapet.
Vehicle intrusion
Vehicle intrusion measures how far the upper section of a heavy vehicle can extend during the impact. On a bridge, this can be critical when elements behind the parapet could come into contact with the coach or lorry.
A high containment level does not remove the need to provide these spaces. Placing an obstacle within the working width or vehicle intrusion zone can alter the performance demonstrated during the test.
The parapet and bridge deck operate as a complete system
During an impact, the forces generated by the vehicle are transferred from the rails and posts to the anchors and concrete structure. The parapet therefore cannot be assessed separately from the bridge deck.
The project must verify the geometry and strength of the slab, the reinforcement at the edge, the anchor type, the distance from the ends and the loads that may be transferred to the structure.
Installation conditions should reproduce the characteristics under which the system achieved its classification. Any significant change to the components, spacing, anchors or slab could affect its performance.
On existing structures, where it is not always possible to incorporate an embedded anchor plate during construction, alternative anchoring systems may need to be assessed and their equivalence under impact forces demonstrated.
When might an H2 or H3 level be required?
The selection should be based on a specific risk assessment and the criteria applicable to the road. Factors that may justify a high-containment system include:
- The presence of bridges, viaducts or elevated crossings.
- Significant drops alongside the carriageway.
- A substantial volume of coaches or heavy goods vehicles.
- Traffic passing over other roads, railway lines or populated areas.
- The presence of structural components or critical installations.
- The potential severity of a vehicle passing beyond the road edge.
- The design speed and geometric characteristics of the route.
H3 should not automatically be considered a better option than H2 for every location. A higher-containment system may present different deformation, intrusion or transmitted loads. The appropriate solution is the one that addresses the identified risk and is compatible with the available structure.
The final line of defence when driving fails
Observing speed limits, resting properly, remaining attentive and adapting speed to road conditions are the first measures for preventing a run-off-road collision. No passive safety device can fully compensate for high-risk driving.
However, once control of the vehicle has been lost, the infrastructure has only a few moments in which to limit the consequences. On bridges, viaducts and roads alongside significant drops, a correctly selected and installed parapet can make the difference between a vehicle leaving the structure and being redirected in a controlled manner.
The TB51, TB61 and TB11 tests verify at full scale that H2 and H3 systems can manage impacts involving vehicles with very different masses and behaviours. This capacity must be accompanied by correct containment-level selection, assessment of working width and intrusion, and appropriate integration with the bridge deck and anchoring system.
Road safety does not depend solely on driver behaviour or exclusively on infrastructure. It is achieved through the combination of prevention, technical design, tested systems and installation that respects the conditions under which their performance was demonstrated.
Why invest in efficient noise barriers?
The growth of transport networks and the expansion of access routes integrated into populated areas have made traffic noise one of the main challenges in urban and suburban environmental management. Traditionally, the response of acoustic engineering has been clear: the installation of physical barriers to protect the population.
However, in the current context of public resource optimisation and the transition towards the Smart City, the decision by public authorities and construction companies to purchase noise barriers can no longer be based solely on the initial cost per square metre. The true indicator of success lies in life-cycle cost efficiency (LCC) and the infrastructure’s ability to integrate into an intelligent management model.
1. The true cost of noise: Beyond the initial installation
When public authorities plan urban and road noise control, they must comply with strict noise regulations, such as the European Environmental Noise Directive. Meeting the permitted decibel levels is mandatory, but how those levels are achieved determines the long-term financial sustainability of the infrastructure.
The most common mistake in the procurement of noise barriers is to overlook deferred operating costs. A low-cost noise barrier that is prone to degradation caused by weather conditions, corrosion or material fatigue can quickly become a drain on public resources. A genuinely efficient solution is one designed according to the principle of low maintenance, ensuring that its sound insulation and absorption properties remain unchanged for decades.
2. Life cycle and resilience
To balance the requirements of high-speed motorways with the aesthetic and logistical demands of urban environments, materials engineering offers a range of solutions:
- Steel and aluminium: Highly industrialised noise barriers whose low weight reduces transport and installation costs. Their mechanical strength makes them ideal for withstanding wind loads on motorways.
- Methacrylate (PMMA): Essential for maintaining visual permeability and natural light both on road viaducts and in areas integrated into the city, avoiding the “trench effect”.
- Modular and foundation-free solutions: For environments that require flexibility, such as long-term roadworks or urban reconfiguration projects, temporary noise barriers provide immediate protection with minimal deployment and removal costs, maximising the material’s contribution to the circular economy.
The key to efficiency is not the material itself, but its treatment, such as hot-dip galvanising or powder coating, to ensure that the asset does not require structural intervention over a period of 20 to 30 years.
3. Noise barriers 4.0: Convergence with the Smart City and ITS systems
The major qualitative leap —and the feature that justifies investment in cutting-edge projects— occurs when noise barriers are equipped with digital capabilities. Just as other road equipment is evolving towards connectivity, noise barriers can be integrated into the IoT ecosystem to provide valuable data that improves quality of life in the Smart City.
How does technology translate into greater efficiency for this type of infrastructure?
3.1. Sensors for dynamic noise mapping
Traditional acoustic engineering carries out occasional measurements using handheld sound level meters. Today, the international trend is moving towards the use of Wireless Acoustic Sensor Networks (WASNs). By integrating IoT microsensors —similar to the technologies deployed by companies such as Bettair Cities or engineering corporations such as Wölfel Group in urban environments and mobility projects— into the noise barriers themselves, they cease to be passive elements.
This makes it possible to monitor sound pressure levels continuously and automatically. The resulting data feeds into central Smart City platforms, allowing municipal technicians to accurately correlate traffic flow with its real acoustic impact and make informed urban planning decisions.
3.2. Structural monitoring and predictive maintenance (SHM)
By using Structural Health Monitoring technologies, commonly known as SHM and widely validated in the wind energy sector and on major bridges, it is possible to assess the condition of the infrastructure remotely. Tilt sensors, spectrum accelerometers and connected nodes can automatically detect:
- Structural deviations caused by wind or settlement: Alerts can be issued when a noise barrier undergoes hazardous deformation due to extreme wind gusts, turbulence caused by heavy vehicles or unforeseen problems with the ground foundations.
- Loss of sound insulation caused by misalignment: Micro-accelerometers can identify whether a section of the noise barrier is experiencing abnormal vibrations or has become detached from the supporting posts, breaking the acoustic continuity of the barrier.
By receiving these alerts in real time, road maintenance teams can implement predictive maintenance, attending the exact location only when necessary and significantly reducing the cost of visual roadside inspections.
In conclusion, investing in efficient noise barriers is not simply expenditure on containment; it is a value-creation strategy for regional development. Mitigating road traffic noise and controlling urban noise through durable, intelligent systems protects public health, increases the value of urban land and optimises public maintenance budgets.
The infrastructure of the future must be durable in its physical composition and open in its digital architecture. Only by combining the strength of traditional engineering with the potential of data collection can roads and urban environments be prepared for the challenges of the coming decades.
ITS could reduce serious run-off-road collisions by 60%
Run-off-road collisions are among the most serious types of accident on interurban roads. They occur when the driver loses control and the vehicle leaves its intended path, potentially colliding with changes in level, obstacles, structures or other objects located along the roadside.
A study carried out by Metalesa in collaboration with the University Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety — INTRAS — at the Universitat de València has analysed the relationship between these accidents and Intelligent Transport Systems.
Its main conclusion is particularly significant: the ITS analysed could intervene in circumstances present in 49.5% of all run-off-road collisions. When the analysis is limited to serious and fatal accidents, the percentage rises to 59.7%.
This finding positions technology applied to infrastructure as a complement to conventional restraint systems.
A study based on interurban road accidents
The study analyses data recorded between 2017 and 2023 in the Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic’s ARENA system. Its methodology relates the circumstances recorded in accident reports to the systems included in the DGT’s ITS Plan.
The purpose is not simply to count accidents, but to determine which technologies can address the factors that occur most frequently or produce the most serious consequences.
Three criteria are used to establish these priorities:
- Accident frequency: the number of accidents.
- Injury severity: the number of casualties and the severity of their injuries.
- Fatality rate: the proportion of people killed.
More than 37,000 accidents occur on interurban roads in Spain each year. Approximately 12,000 are run-off-road collisions, resulting in close to 500 deaths annually according to the data included in the study.
How can ITS respond to a run-off-road collision?
Intelligent Transport Systems combine sensors, radar, communication systems and signalling devices to detect risks and generate a response from the infrastructure itself.
Their role can begin before the vehicle leaves the carriageway. A system can, for example, detect inappropriate speed, adverse weather conditions or failure to maintain a safe following distance and activate a warning for the driver.
The technologies studied include:
- Dynamic adaptation of speed limits.
- Spot speed enforcement using fixed cameras.
- Average-speed enforcement using section cameras.
- Speed-limit violation warning systems.
- Traffic guidance during adverse weather conditions.
- Seat belt use detection.
- Warnings when a safe following distance is not maintained.
- Detection of animals or vulnerable road users on the carriageway.
These solutions do not all perform the same function. Some seek to prevent loss of control, while others reduce the severity of injuries or allow an impact to be reported quickly.
Speed as one of the main areas for intervention
Speed has a significant relationship with run-off-road collisions. The study indicates that, among accidents associated with the dynamic adaptation of speed limits because of adverse weather conditions, 66.5% were run-off-road collisions.
A strong relationship was also identified with speed-control systems using fixed cameras, average-speed cameras and speed-limit violation warnings. In these cases, run-off-road collisions accounted for 63.8% of accidents.
Dynamic adaptation makes it possible to change or reinforce the displayed limit according to the actual conditions on a section of road. It can be activated, for example, during heavy rain, fog or strong winds, or whenever the prevailing speed is unsuitable for the conditions.
Road signs therefore cease to provide a static message and instead respond to the specific condition of the road.
Seat belt detection and reducing accident severity
Not every ITS intervenes directly before a vehicle leaves the road. Some are intended to reduce the severity of the consequences.
The study analysed 34,613 accidents recorded between 2017 and 2023 in which a seat belt had not been worn. These accidents resulted in 48,388 casualties, including 2,982 fatalities and 8,593 people seriously injured.
In addition, 36.7% of the accidents associated with failure to wear a seat belt were run-off-road collisions.
Detection systems can identify non-compliance and generate a warning. In an accident, the seat belt remains essential for preventing occupants from striking the vehicle interior or being ejected.
From a conventional barrier to connected infrastructure
Prevention through ITS does not replace safety barriers, bridge parapets, terminals or crash cushions. These two levels of protection perform different but complementary functions.
Intelligent systems act before an accident by detecting and signalling the risk. Road restraint systems intervene once the vehicle has lost control, seeking to contain it, redirect it or reduce the energy of the impact.
Integrating both functions allows conventional equipment to become part of connected infrastructure. Sensors, radar and cameras can detect a dangerous situation, while road studs or variable-message signs communicate the warning to the driver. Data can also be sent to road operators, control centres or emergency services.
PLUG&META®: sensing and signalling from road equipment
PLUG&META® technology integrated into PlugSmart® Pro can transform restraint systems and other roadside equipment into intelligent devices.
The system can be installed on steel safety barriers, bridge parapets, concrete barriers, walls or tunnel linings. It operates through connections with radar, cameras, weather sensors and dynamic signalling equipment.
Situations it can detect or signal include:
- Vehicles travelling at excessive speed.
- Vehicles involved in accidents or breakdowns.
- Wrong-way driving.
- The presence of pedestrians, cyclists or animals.
- Ice or reduced visibility.
- Impacts against the restraint system.
When a risk is detected, the infrastructure can activate a light signal to warn approaching vehicles. If the accident cannot be prevented, the system can report the impact to the operator and send information to traffic platforms or control centres.
Prioritising ITS according to the risk on each road section
The study proposes a methodology for selecting ITS according to the accident frequency, injury severity and fatality rate associated with each circumstance.
This means implementation should not be treated as a uniform solution for the entire network. A section with run-off-road collisions linked to speed and weather conditions may require dynamic speed-limit adaptation and illuminated warnings. Another section with frequent wildlife activity may require specific sensors and alert systems.
Data analysis can identify which technology best responds to each scenario and concentrate action on the highest-risk locations.
Active road safety and vehicle restraint must work together
The figure of 59.7% represents the potential scope for ITS intervention in circumstances associated with serious and fatal run-off-road collisions. It does not mean that a single technology could automatically prevent all those accidents. It indicates that detection, warnings or control could perform a preventive role in a significant proportion of cases.
Combining ITS equipment and road restraint systems makes it possible to act at different stages:
- Detect the risk in advance.
- Warn the driver.
- Adapt the signs or speed.
- Contain the vehicle if it leaves the carriageway.
- Detect the impact and report the incident.
Metalesa develops restraint systems and connected-infrastructure solutions designed to integrate these functions. The objective is to progress from a road that only responds to an impact towards one capable of detecting risk, communicating it and helping to prevent the accident.
Metalesa wins the 21st ACEX National Award for Conservation Safety
Metalesa Road Safety has been awarded the 21st ACEX National Conservation Safety Award for its innovative project, "PlugSmart® Pro: Smart Equipment for Preventing and Reporting Road Accidents."
This important recognition, awarded by the Association of Infrastructure Conservation and Operation Companies (ACEX), recognizes initiatives that stand out for their contribution to improving safety in infrastructure maintenance and upkeep operations.
The PlugSmart® Pro project represents a significant advance in the field of road safety, as it combines smart technology with active signaling solutions to detect impacts, alert emergency services, and reduce response times to accidents. This technology, developed by Metalesa's R&D team, allows for rapid response in risky situations, minimizing the consequences for road users and maintenance personnel.
The ACEX National Award jury particularly valued the PlugSmart® Pro system's ability to integrate into current maintenance operations, its potential to reduce accidents, and its positive impact on the efficiency of interventions. It also highlighted its large-scale applicability in the context of road infrastructure modernization.
This recognition represents a significant boost for our innovation strategy aimed at improving safety and sustainability.
At Metalesa, we understand that the future of infrastructure maintenance lies in the incorporation of smart, connected, and efficient solutions, and this award encourages us to continue moving forward in that direction.
We thank ACEX for the distinction and congratulate the entire Metalesa team that made this milestone possible. This achievement reflects the collaborative work, long-term vision, and firm commitment to road safety that characterizes us.
Enhancing Seaside Promenade Safety with Advanced Infrastructure Solutions
With the arrival of summer, beach areas fill with tourists and residents eager to enjoy the sun and sea. Seaside promenades become activity hubs, hosting cyclists, pedestrians, and users of personal mobility vehicles (PMVs). However, the increase in users during this season highlights the urgent need to modernize and update road infrastructure.
In many seaside promenades, the separation between the road and pedestrian areas is insufficient, creating hazardous situations that could be avoided with proper planning and the delineation of these dangerous zones.
Today, the presence of cyclists, pedestrians, electric scooters, and other PMVs has grown exponentially.
These vulnerable users share spaces with motor vehicles, increasing the risk of traffic accidents. In many places, the road and seaside promenades are at the same level and lack effective barriers to contain vehicles in the event of a road departure accident.
This lack of separation can lead to dangerous situations, such as a vehicle leaving the road and invading the pedestrian area, potentially causing injuries or even fatalities. The absence of steel parapets or other suitable physical barriers significantly increases the risk of accidents in these crowded areas.
An effective solution to improve safety on seaside promenades is the installation of certified Steel parapets that ensure the safety of both drivers and vulnerable users.
Our Metaurban steel parapet, with an N1-H1 containment level and CE marking, provides protection in these busy areas. The Metaurban® steel parapet is a vehicle containment system specifically designed for installation on urban or peri-urban roads, making it ideal for these types of roads. It is a certified device according to European standard EN 1317 parts 1 and 2, and with compliance with part 5 regarding production control, it has obtained CE marking.
The Metaurban steel parapet provides robust physical separation between the road and areas designated for cyclists and pedestrians. The Metaurban structure is designed to absorb impacts and deflect vehicles away from pedestrian and cyclist areas, significantly reducing the risk of traffic accidents. Implementing these steel parapets not only improves safety but also offers a sense of protection and peace of mind to all users of the seaside promenade.
Smart solutions for the seaside promenades of the future: a step beyond in terms of road safety.
Preventing accidents is key when planning road safety for the summer season. As mentioned earlier, separating bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths from roads is effective and convenient, but it is even more crucial to prevent these potential accidents through risk detection and signaling to users.
In addition to traditional steel parapets, smart solutions like PLUG&META® are revolutionizing road safety as we know it.
This advanced system incorporates technology that detects and alerts in real-time about potential risks and informs authorities in the event of a serious incident. Thanks to its network of sensors and cameras, it can identify risks such as the presence of pedestrians and cyclists, approaching vehicles at high speed, or situations that may lead to traffic accidents.
Continuous monitoring and immediate response capabilities allow for accident prevention and improved safety on seaside promenades. This enables administrations and municipalities to make mobility decisions based on real data from their roads.
The technology can be applied to any new or existing road element, allowing it to be combined with the Metaurban steel parapet to create the perfect solution for beach areas and seaside promenades.
This summer, it is essential to enjoy outdoor activities safely. The protection of cyclists, pedestrians, and PMV users on seaside promenades should be a priority. Local councils and administrations have the responsibility to implement effective solutions, such as Metaurban steel parapets and active road safety technologies like PLUG&META®, to prevent accidents and ensure everyone's safety.
By taking these measures, we can create safer and more enjoyable environments to enjoy the summer. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and with adequate infrastructure, we can protect tourists and residents, ensuring that our seaside promenades are safe and welcoming spaces for all.
Eco-goals: our sustainable contribution
Welcome to the heart of Metalesa, where sustainability is not just a goal, it is our unwavering commitment! In this article, we will look at the Eco-Targets, the four pillars that guide our mission to be leaders in environmental and social responsibility.
Solar panels: clean energy for a sustainable future
Every action counts, and at Metalesa, we are committed to significant change through solar energy. Our facilities are equipped with solar panels that capture sunlight and transform it into clean electricity. This step towards energy self-sufficiency not only reduces our carbon footprint, but also propels us towards a more sustainable tomorrow.
Did you know that thanks to our solar panels, we have covered 39.6% of our consumption needs and reduced our dependence on non-renewable sources? This investment in green technology is a testament to our commitment to the environment.
Additional benefits of solar panels
Exploring the use of solar panels goes beyond simply adopting a clean energy source; it involves immersing oneself in a series of impactful benefits that impact various aspects of our society and environment. Let's take a closer look at these additional benefits, understanding how solar panels are a comprehensive solution with significant positive impacts:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: By going solar, we make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a crucial factor in climate change. Solar panels generate electricity without releasing carbon dioxide or other harmful air pollutants. This approach offers a route to a cleaner and more sustainable environment, making a direct contribution to the fight against climate change.
- Energy independence and long-term stability: Dependence on non-renewable energy sources exposes societies to fluctuating oil prices and energy crises. By incorporating solar panels, greater energy independence is achieved by harnessing an inexhaustible and free source: solar radiation. This independence not only ensures long-term stability in energy supply, but also reduces vulnerability to fluctuations in the global energy market, providing a path to long-term sustainability.
- Contribution to global awareness of renewable energy: By adopting solar energy technologies, we actively participate in creating global awareness of the importance of renewable energy sources. Solar panels are not only a practical solution on an individual or corporate level, but also serve as a beacon to inspire others to follow the path of sustainability. This contribution goes beyond the production of electricity, extending to the creation of a global community committed to a greener and healthier future.
Using recyclable materials: forging a circular future
At Metalesa, the excellence of our products is not only about quality, but also about environmental responsibility. In the manufacture of every item, we are committed to using recyclable materials, thus driving the creation of a circular future and significantly minimising our impact on the environment.
This conscious choice means much more than just producing durable goods. By opting for Metalesa products, you are making a decision to support solutions that go beyond your individual needs; you are supporting the preservation of our planet. Our unwavering dedication to recycling is not simply a duty we fulfil, it is a promise we seal with every product that leaves our facility.
Imagine a world where every product not only serves its purpose, but also contributes to a sustainable cycle. At Metalesa, we're not just building products, we're building a future where responsibility and quality are intertwined to form a lasting commitment to the health of our planet.
Sustainable innovation in our commercial fleet: towards electrification
At Metalesa, we strive to not only deliver quality products, but to do so in a sustainable manner. Have you ever wondered how we achieve this balance? The answer lies in our commercial fleet, a tangible manifestation of our commitment to electrification and the reduction of pollutant gas emissions.
Our fleet, your benefits:
We explore the salient details that make our fleet a model of sustainability:
- Hybrid vehicles: By opting for electrification, we have incorporated hybrid vehicles into our fleet. These vehicles not only consume less fuel, but also emit less polluting gases, marking a firm step towards reducing our carbon footprint. Every delivery we make becomes a conscious act towards a healthier environment.
- Advanced technology: We don't stop at electrification; we have integrated advanced technology into our fleet to maximise efficiency. Real-time tracking of our routes ensures that every journey is planned as efficiently as possible, reducing unnecessary driving times and further minimising our environmental impact.
- Constant innovation: Innovation is part of our identity. We constantly explore options to improve our fleet and thus our contribution to sustainability. From evaluating new technologies to sourcing alternative fuels, we are in a continuous search for greener and more efficient methods for our delivery operations.
Every delivery we make is not just a product arriving at its destination; it is a step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business model. At Metalesa, we are moving towards electrification in the knowledge that every choice counts in building a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.
Zero discharge wastewater treatment plant: taking care of our water resources
Our responsibility is not limited to air and land; we also embrace water. We operate a zero discharge wastewater treatment plant, ensuring that our production processes do not negatively affect the quality of nearby water resources.
How does this contribute to general well-being?
- Water conservation: We avoid contamination of local sources.
- Community engagement: Our responsibility to those around us.
- Transparency: Accessible information about our practices.
Join us on the road to a sustainable future
At Metalesa, every action we take is driven by the desire to contribute to a more sustainable world. Our Eco-Targets are more than just goals; they are the core of our identity and the engine that drives our commitment to sustainability.
Ready to be part of the sustainable revolution? Join us on this journey and choose products that not only meet your expectations, but also contribute to a greener, healthier planet.
Frequently asked questions:
- How do solar panels contribute to sustainability? Solar panels capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity, reducing dependence on non-renewable sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Why is it important to recycle in the manufacture of products? Using recyclable materials in manufacturing helps reduce demand for natural resources and minimises waste generation, thus contributing to building a more sustainable future.
- How can I contribute to zero landfill? As a consumer, you can choose to support companies committed to sustainability and responsible water management, such as Metalesa. By doing so, you indirectly contribute to the goal of zero landfill.
Act today for a more sustainable tomorrow! Explore our product range and choose sustainability in every purchase. Together, we can build a greener, healthier world.
For a safe Christmas on the road
We are approaching the Christmas holidays, when we usually meet with our loved ones, sometimes traveling many kilometres to be back home for some days. For us, the best Christmas gift is that all drivers arrive safely at their destinations.
Data that, even if you don't like it, we have to tell you
According to the DGT, last Christmas 57 fatalities were settled in traffic accidents on Spanish roads. Most of the accidents involved loss of control and run-off-road collisions. 21 people were vulnerable users (pedestrians, motorists and cyclists) while 35 were vehicle drivers.
This is not data kind to say, but, if we want to make drivers aware of the importance of being careful on the road this Christmas, it is necessary to expose the reality as hard as it is. Hopefully this year this figure is reduced to the minimum possible. Let's do our best to achieve this goal.
Traffic accidents: why do they happen more at Christmas time?
- At Christmas trips increase, up to a 16 million estimation. The more cars out there, the more chances of suffering an accident, so it is essential to exercise extreme caution at the wheel.
- Increase in alcohol consumption: Christmas lunches and dinners stand out for their joy, delicious food, and as a general rule, a few extra drinks. Something as simple and effective as the famous 'if you drink, don't drive', unfortunately it is not followed literally, and every Christmas, a considerable number of drivers test positive for breathalyzer, posing a great danger to safety drivers and themselves.
- Adverse weather conditions: Winter weather can play against us. Strong winds, icy roads, fog or rain multiply the danger on the roads. These adverse weather conditions make it difficult to control the vehicle and can trigger accidents, so it is important to slow down, keep a safe distance from other vehicles and drive with all 5 senses on the road.
- Speeding: Speeding is the leading cause of traffic accidents at Christmas. These are dates when we tend to get overwhelmed by last minute purchases and the unexpected ... But rushing on the road is never a good option. Think before acting!
With all these factors in mind on the road, we can all have a happy Christmas free of bad news. These dates are to be enjoyed to the fullest!
Protection is our goal: Discover our products
Whether it is Christmas or not, whatever the date, road safety does not understand holidays and we are always there. Our products, both on Spanish and international roads, take care of the people who travel every day, protecting people, saving lives.
Next, we show you some of the products that we design, manufacture and install at Metalesa to guarantee the safety of what matters most to us: people. Because you deserve a Christmas full of love and happiness.
Bridge equipment
The bridges on the roads represent sections of more danger for drivers, therefore, we take care of providing them with protection measures through the installation of equipment for bridges.
Bridge Metal parapets
A metal parapet is a vehicle restraint system approved according to the UNE EN 1317 parts 1 and 2 standard, so that having passed the relevant full-scale tests it has obtained the CE marking. It is placed in passage works, wall crowning, bridge decks ...
We have the META13 bridge parapet and the META16 metal parapet, essential as elements to guarantee road safety.
Some of its advantages:
- Both parapets allow the placement of acoustic screens and vandal-proof fences at a very short distance from the parapet.
- In the event of a vehicle crash, replacement of items is quick and inexpensive.
- It is very versatile with the possibility of placing grilles or protection systems for motorists
- High durability through discontinuous galvanization, allows thermo-lacquering in the different colors of the RAL chart.
Railings for bridges
Bridge rails function as a restraint system for people or other personal mobility vehicles.
We have a wide variety of models of steel railing for bridges that are easy to install, being able to choose the most suitable thermo-lacquered finishes and colors for the integration of the railing with the landscape.
We also manufacture stainless steel railings, with steel cable or other designs that will cover any project requirement.
Metal bridge fascias
A metal fascia for bridges is an element that finishes off the edge of the bridge deck, either to accommodate electricity, gas or water conduits or for cladding. This type of bridge equipment embellishes the bridge, not only providing functionality, but also elegance.
Cornices for bridges
Like fascias, cornices for bridges are a type of equipment for bridges that also reinforces the structure by providing greater rigidity, and allows housing to accommodate electricity, gas or water conduits. They are very common in France.
Crash cushions
Crash cushions are considered one of the most effective life-saving devices. They consist of a deformable structure that brakes the vehicle in the event of a crash, absorbing the impact, considerably reducing the serious consequences of the accident.
At Metalesa we have a wide variety of models, which is essential to place them in the correct position on the road so that they can fulfill their function. Each model is suitable to withstand different energy levels depending on the weight and type of vehicle and the impact speed. In addition, these are approved according to the UNE EN 1317-3 standard, which defines the test conditions for obtaining the CE marking.
This Christmas, we are going to accompany you on all your trips. We want to protect you and that your destiny is none other than to meet those you love so much. Our products on the roads save lives, but never let your guard down because Road Safety does not understand holidays. Protection is our goal!
United Nations World Road Safety Week
Like every year, the third week of May marks the United Nations World Road Safety Week, an event that wants to put in the spotlight the various dangers that exist on the roads to create awareness, thus serving as a loudspeaker for developing regulations that help reduce incidents and save lives.
Last year, a campaign was launched under the slogan #StreetsForLife #Love30. The goal was to create residential urban areas with a speed limit of 30km/h, thus contributing to make cities safer, more ecological and suitable for different mobility models, vehicles, scooters, bicycles and VMPs.
This was the first of many campaigns that have been planned as part of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. This action plan is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a worldwide voluntary action plan agreed upon by the Member States of the United Nations to protect the planet and all of us who inhabit it, and which seeks, among many other sustainability objectives, to be able to prevent at least 50% of traffic accidents by 2030.
This is more urgent than ever because recent studies speak out about worrying trends. According to Fundación Linea Directa, "the urban accident rate among vulnerable users could worsen, causing up to 5,500 deaths in Spanish cities by 2030, which represents an annual increase of between 30 and 50%". Among the main arguments that the study exposes are the massive deployment of bike lanes in urban environments, the popularity of VMPs, or the lack of social awareness of sustainable mobility.
The new models of urban mobility, a new need
Within the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, special emphasis is placed on the concept of Sustainable Cities: large human settlements in which resource consumption is sustainable without harming air quality. This is why in recent years awareness campaigns have been designed towards more sustainable mobility inside and outside urban areas with the creation of Low Emission Zones and the expansion of pedestrian and bicycle lanes.
With all this, new means of personal mobility have emerged and regulations have become obsolete or have had to be adapted, thus giving rise to new needs in road safety systems.
First approved parapet with active safety
Metalesa's mission is to protect people, it is to save lives. Uniting this purpose with this context of new mobility in urban environments, the idea arose of creating the new Metaurban® SMART, the first parapet with active road safety, that is, it not only passively waits to contain an accident, but also prevents these happen through intelligent signage.
The development of this new product responds to society's growing need to have approved products as a guarantee of quality for urban and peri-urban areas, while taking advantage of new technologies and the deployment of 5G communications to bring containment to a new dimension as smart products.
It is a system fully aligned with the new trends in infrastructure management: security, sustainability and connectivity.
- It guarantees safety because it has been tested on a real scale as certified by the CE marking.
- It promotes sustainable mobility by making the new infrastructures in cities safer and friendlier.
- It is connectable because it integrates PLUG&META® technology, which not only waits for the accident to happen, but also identifies risk situations, and acts by alerting road users through signalling, minimizing the probability that these accidents will happen. Up to 10 functional scenarios have been developed, for example, accident warning, pedestrian presence, excessive speed, traffic jams, or bad visibility warning, among others.
It is a totally innovative parapet because, as can be seen, in addition to containing it in the event of an accident, it prevents these from happening, and also collects data and informs the municipal authority of all those events that are desired, from quality data of air, counting or multiple statistics of events detected by the sensors incorporated in the parapet.
The system is modular, in such a way that SMART technology can be incorporated only in that section where there really is a special need, and the rest can be a traditional containment system that is 100% safe before leaving the track.
And all of this can be managed remotely thanks to the management platform accessible from any device.
In this way, a traditional containment system has evolved into a new traffic management and urban mobility and information service for the city.
The Metaurban® SMART parapet represents a breakthrough in the urban equipment sector, prompting the imagination of how the IoT can transform static elements into active digital members of the smart city ecosystem.
Our goal is to improve people's quality of life, focusing our efforts on offering a range of technologically advanced security and protection solutions. If you want to know a little more about this technology, visit our new microsite.
International Noise Awareness Day
Today is International Noise Awareness Day, a day to contribute in making our society understand the importance of reducing noise for our health and the environment.
Noise is usually defined as «Inarticulate sound, generally unpleasant». Today we live with noise everywhere due to the noise pollution produced, among others, by vehicles. The noise pollution to which we are exposed in our day to day life can cause serious consequences such as hearing loss, sleep disorders or cardiovascular diseases. Cities are taking more and more measures against these annoying sound, however, there is much work ahead, and other facilities such as airports, sports stadiums or auditoriums also need solutions to isolate noise
To reduce noise in urban spaces, we have a wide range of products that will combine with each space according to its style. Acoustic screens are an efficient and aesthetic solution that can be used in any of the cases.
Metagreen acoustic screens
These screens are our most sustainable acoustic screens and not only they perform their job against noise, but they also contribute to sustainability thanks to their built-in vegetation and the use of recyclable materials in their manufacture. Vertical Garden Concept.
These are screens made up of an interior of rock wool as the main material to absorb external noise and an exterior of micro-perforated plastic mesh thanks to which vertical vegetation will grow.
These screens offer an ecological and natural appearance, perfect to be installed in urbanizations and private areas where they will give the appearance of a vertical garden. Its galvanized treatment offers a long durability of these screens that insulate and absorb noise magnificently.
Methacrylate acoustic screens
Acoustic methacrylate acoustic screens are ideal for not losing light and ensure a visual sensation of spaciousness. It is an insulating panel that consists of a polymethacrylate sheet in a structure made up of synthetic rubber gaskets.
The methacrylate panel configuration achieves maximum insulation. It integrates with the landscape thanks to its transparency and/or colors. These screens can be combined in the personalized model with other materials, achieving a product that completely adapts to the aesthetics of your city.
Metawood acoustic screens
Wood also offers a touch of nature like Metagreen screens, but they can also be combined between wood vertically and horizontally to achieve different aesthetic effects.
Metawood screens have rock wool to isolate sound as well as a black protective veil that protects the panels from erosion and moisture.
Wood acoustic screens provide excellent insulation and maximum absorption. Its wooden aesthetic integrates perfectly with the landscape and the treatments they require are respectful of the environment.
Concrete acoustic screens
It is made up of a double layer of reinforced concrete structure and sound-absorbing porous concrete. These concrete acoustic panels can be the color of the concrete or painted smooth or with decoration.
It has good acoustic absorption. Isolates sound excellently. It is a very durable structure with low environmental impact, recyclable and without waste.
Customized acoustic screens
We can also create personalized noise barriers by combining different panel models, being able to design acoustic screens completely to the client's taste and adapted to the needs of each space.
It must be taken into account that the product that really performs the absorbent function is the rock wool housed inside, so the exterior can be designed to fit aesthetically with the space without affecting its properties.
These solutions that we describe for urban areas are applicable to isolate traffic noise on highways, where the installation of steel or aluminum acoustic screens is more common.
Steel or aluminum acoustic screens
Both the steel and aluminum acoustic screens are made up of a noise-absorbing layer, an inner layer of rock wool that isolates this noise, and the reflective layer so that the remaining noise does not pass through, but bounces back. Finally, to guarantee this acoustic performance, these panels are closed with polypropylene side covers.
They are a fantastic option for their insulation and absorption capabilities. In addition, they integrate with the environment thanks to their various designs and available combinations. Being a modular structure they are light and easy to install. They are also resistant to wind loads and rail traffic overpressure, a performance accredited in laboratory tests.
Acoustic screens can be temporary or fixed and the installation varies according to type. Among all the solutions that we offer in Metalesa, a previous acoustic study will always be assessed to guarantee the best solution against noise that adapts to the needs of the space. You can compare our screens in the product comparator or contact us, we will be happy to help you.