Guardrail vs vehicle barrier for semi truck concrete ramp

[Labs763]

Hello all,

Looking for input on when a vehicle barrier system is required vs a typical guardrail for fall protection on the sides of a concrete ramp.

I am designing a concrete ramp for semi trucks that goes from 0 to approx. 4 feet above grade (up to a loading dock). Not that it ever matters, but I have never seen any railings on the sides of these ramps at warehouses that have anything other than the typical 1 1/2" pipe railings that are presumably just for fall protection. Are the vehicle barriers only required at the ends/edges of slabs so they do not drive straight off?

My intent is to extend the concrete retaining wall 1 ft above the ramp to create a curb on each side, but I am unclear on if I need a vehicle barrier (6000lb point load) mounted on top of it.

 

[BridgeSmith]

OSHA probably requires a handrail for pedestrian traffic, but unless your ramp is somehow considered to be a public roadway, the owner of the private property determines what, if any, barriers are needed.

 

[BridgeSmith]

Btw, even on public streets, roadways with a design speed up to 30 mph and 2' shoulder only require a curb separating vehicle traffic from pedestrians on the sidewalk. It would seem a ramp where the trucks will be travelling < 5 mph would not need more than a curb, if it even needs that. I've inspected privately-owned bridges 12' above a creek that only had curbs - no railing of any kind.

 

[Labs763]

Btw, even on public streets, roadways with a design speed up to 30 mph and 2' shoulder only require a curb separating vehicle traffic from pedestrians on the sidewalk. It would seem a ramp where the trucks will be travelling < 5 mph would not need more than a curb, if it even needs that. I've inspected privately-owned bridges 12' above a creek that only had curbs - no railing of any kind.

Thank you BridgeSmith