Evaluation of Bamboo as a Road Safety Barrier in Critical Sections of the Corridor with High-Risk Slopes and Curves

Fernández M.; Huarac S.; Torres M. · International Conference on Civil, Structural and Transportation Engineering (2026) · DOI: 10.11159/iccste26.148

Resumen

This study evaluates the viability of structural bamboo as a sustainable alternative for road safety barriers, integrating a recent review of research with an applied analysis of high-risk sections of a road corridor. These sections feature steep slopes, embankments higher than four meters, unfavorable geometry, and drainage deficiencies, conditions that require efficient containment systems with low environmental impact. Evidence from real-world applications, including a 200-meter barrier installed in India, indicates that bamboo can provide controlled deflections, good energy dissipation, and significantly lower costs compared to conventional metal barriers. Additional comparisons of structural performance, carbon footprint, weight, and cost per meter reinforce its potential as a competitive material for road infrastructure. Based on these results, a bamboo barrier system is proposed that meets the requirements of the analyzed corridor, incorporating technical criteria, mechanical behavior, and practical design considerations. Overall, the study concludes that bamboo is a viable, economical, and environmentally friendly option for improving road safety, highlighting the need to validate its performance through full-scale impact tests and apply preservation treatments to ensure its operational durability.