The city of Aurora sometimes receives requests from the public for guardrail installation within the public right of way adjacent to existing properties. This page is intended to provide additional information on guardrails and the process for making decisions around guardrail installations. 

What is a Guardrail? 

A guardrail is a safety barrier intended to reduce the severity of certain types of crashes by preventing vehicles from leaving the roadway. Guardrails are positioned where they can help keep drivers safe from roadside hazards or unsafe terrain. 

What is the Purpose of Guardrail? 

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the primary function of a guardrail is to shield motorists from an object that could cause a severe crash if the vehicle departs the roadway. Guardrails are typically installed when it is safer for a vehicle to impact the barrier rather than the object or terrain beyond it.  

Guardrails are not intended to prevent crashes or to mitigate property damage to a fence; they are intended to reduce the severity of crashes by preventing a vehicle from leaving the roadway.   

Guardrail is costly to install and maintain and is most effective on higher speed roads where drivers are less likely to recover control after departing from the roadway.

Guardrail Constraints and Alternatives  

Guardrail is intended to protect drivers and vehicle occupants from a more dangerous hazard immediately adjacent to the roadway and within the clear zone. The clear zone is defined as the traversable area adjacent to the road that is free from obstacles where drivers can recover safely after leaving the roadway. In urban settings, a clear zone of 4-6 feet from the edge of roadway is generally desirable.   

Guardrail is not designed to be hit head-on, is not intended for use on lower speed facilities, and should only be installed where the impact of the guardrail will likely be less severe than striking an object off the roadway. Installing guardrail introduces a new hazard alongside the roadway that could result in a serious injury if struck and should be only implemented after careful assessment.  

Oftentimes, other methods of mitigation are preferred, such as: 

• Relocation or Removal: When stand-alone hazards are within the clear zone, such as trees, utility poles, or other objects, they should be removed or relocated out of the clear zone if they may be at an increased risk of crashes and are not break-away. 
• Delineate the Hazard: In some cases, making drivers more aware of a roadside hazard may make them less likely to strike it. The object may be delineated, or at high-crash intersections, using treatments to improve intersection visibility may reduce the number of vehicles that depart the roadway. 
• Other Traffic Engineering Measures: Reviewing roadways or intersections for other safety improvements may be considered as an alternative to installing guardrail. This can include improved signage or pavement markings, changing signal operations or equipment, installing traffic calming devices, or installing other safety countermeasures. Please submit a request to the traffic engineering group through Access Aurora at AuroraGov.org/AccessAurora to request a safety evaluation.  

When is a Location Eligible for Guardrail Installation? 

The city evaluates guardrail installations based on several criteria. In urban settings like Aurora, guardrail should only be installed at locations where it will address significant safety risks, because installing guardrail presents a new hazard near the roadway’s edge. Guardrail may be considered for installation if it meets all of the following requirements: 

• Speed Limit: Roads with posted speed limits of 40 mph or higher may be assessed for guardrail installation. To qualify for installation of guardrail, the operating speed of the roadway adjacent to the site must be greater than 45 mph as these higher speeds increase the potential for severe accidents.  
• Road Geometry: Roadway segments with sharp curves or steep downgrades where vehicles are more likely to depart the roadway may be considered for guardrail.
• Proximity to Hazardous Features: Locations where a major hazard exists adjacent to the roadway will be considered for guardrail. Hazardous features include bodies of water at least 4 feet deep, drainageways or ditches with sharp drop-offs of at least 6 feet, or large fixed objects like bridge supports located too close to the road. These fixed objects pose a significant risk to drivers who might leave the roadway. Items like fences, stand-alone trees, decorative rocks, or landscaping are not considered fixed objects or significant hazards that require guardrail protection.
• Crash Pattern: Locations with a documented recurring history of serious roadway departure crashes may be prioritized for evaluation and potential guardrail installation, if the severity of crashes could have been mitigated by a guardrail. 

How to Request an Evaluation 

If you believe a location may qualify, you can submit a request to the Public Works Department's Transportation Project Delivery Division. Staff will assess the area based on the criteria listed above to determine if a guardrail installation is appropriate. 

Email [email protected] to request an evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

I believe my location meets all the requirements to warrant guardrail. I have submitted a request, what are the next steps? 

Staff will evaluate if the location in question warrants the installation of guardrail. They will verify that the location meets all the conditions to determine eligibility. They will be in touch with the decision results. 

How long will it take for my request to be evaluated? 

The evaluation process typically takes three to six months. 

My request was rejected for guardrail, but I am still concerned about the safety of this location. What are some other treatments I can consider? 

Treatments could include installing an object marker sign or marker within your right of way to draw attention to the property you are concerned about being struck. Please note: These treatments are only permitted within your private property, and you are responsible for the fabrication and maintenance of any of these treatments. The city will not provide signs for installation in these instances. 

Will the city consider other treatments to elevate the safety of this area if guardrail is not warranted? 

If the requested location does not warrant guardrail but there is a safety concern, the city’s Public Works staff will assess possible site-specific safety improvements. Please submit a request to the traffic engineering group through Access Aurora at AuroraGov.org/AccessAurora to request a safety evaluation.  

If frequent speeding or street racing is a concern, please contact the Aurora Police Department at [email protected] to request targeted enforcement.

Additional Information 
Contact us: AuroraGov.org/AccessAurora