Jersey barrier

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/jersey-barrier

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Jersey barrier built?New Jersey, USA, during the 1950s
2. What is Jersey barrier known for?Reduction of severe head-on collisions and vehicle crossovers
3. What is the material composition?Typically reinforced concrete; also modular plastic filled with water
4. What is the primary engineering principle?Vehicle redirection through sloped surfaces, minimizing impact force and preventing rollovers
5. What is a Jersey barrier and why is it used on roads?It is a giant concrete wall that stops cars from going into the wrong lane, keeping drivers and pedestrians safe.
6. How does the shape of a Jersey barrier help stop cars?Its sloped sides lift a car’s front tires a little when it hits, so the car rolls back into its lane instead of crashing hard.

Passive Traffic Control Device: A safety feature that operates without active intervention to manage vehicle behavior.
Kinetic Energy: The energy an object possesses due to its motion.
Ballast: Heavy material used to provide stability or counterbalance.