When the original Jersey barrier was initially introduced, it was designed to act as a divider between the lanes of traffic on busy roadways in order to reduce the chances of vehicles crossing over into traffic going in the opposite direction and therefore minimize the likelihood of accidents and injuries. The traditional form is made of solid concrete and is a much more permanent and effective barrier than older guard rail road dividers that would easily give way to a direct hit at higher speeds. Although concrete types are still the predominant choice for major highway medians, the design of jersey barriers has evolved and advanced into a tool that is successful at assisting in a variety of temporary needs. These advancements surfaced with the introduction of temporary products made of heavy duty plastic that is easier to set up, break down and transport.



Unlike concrete forms, which are consistently manufactured at a height of three feet, plastic products are available in a variety of sizes and colors.

This variety allows for their adaptation to a broad range of environments that would benefit from the features, such as parking areas, temporary road closure sites, construction sites and anywhere temporarily controlling and guiding pedestrian traffic would be required or advantageous.

Although they weigh much less than their concrete counterparts, those of high quality are surprisingly strong and able to withstand a substantial impact, reducing the severity of any damage that might be sustained to a vehicle or personal injuries that may be suffered. Unfilled, they are relatively lightweight, typically under two hundred pounds each, especially in comparison to a concrete jersey barrier which can weigh in excess of sixteen hundred pounds. However, once the partitions are set in place and filled with water, the weight of them generally increases to more than fifteen hundred pounds, making it just about as heavy and secure as a concrete one. The lightweight construction also eliminates the costs associated with the increased man power, heavy duty construction equipment and common struggles associated with the transportation, set up and removal of concrete partitions.

Because these products are lightweight and available in a variety of sizes, they are much more suitable for many situations that may require them for temporary projects, events and job sites. The flexible nature and ease of installing and transporting from place to place can add up to a substantial cost savings over time when compared to concrete, while providing comparable safety and security. The majority are also available in a variety of colors, making them highly visible to both motorists and pedestrians.

Plastic jersey barriers can be purchased from many distributors, and as with the majority of crowd and traffic control tools and equipment the quality may vary between manufacturers. A reputable distributor will be able to provide high quality equipment with important features that increase the ease of installation and enhance security. An important feature to look for is the thickness of the walls. 8mm thick walls are recommended for optimal stability. A fill opening of at least 4 inches will make filling the barrier quick and easy, and large drain holes prevent water back up and simplify drainage. Another important feature to look for would include wide grooves at the base to accommodate a fork lift.

Although their lightweight construction enables set up and break down by only two workers, depending upon the quantity required a forklift may make the job even easier. Internal baffles are desirable too, as they prevent the bulging often associated with a product of lesser quality construction.