ZebraFence
Developed by Safe Direction, ZebraFence is a steel pedestrian safety barrier system, designed to shield vulnerable road users within close proximity to the edge of the travelled way. ZebraFence is a crash tested safety barrier demonstrating containment of errant vehicles providing a significant advancement in the performance of pedestrian fencing. This is an important design distinction from public domain pedestrian fencing designs which cannot be relied upon to prevent injury to pedestrians by errant vehicles.
The ZebraFence panels feature steel vertical balusters and a horizontal RHS cross tube providing lateral resistance during a vehicle collision. The offsetting of the balusters facilitates line of sight for motorists and pedestrians, and the system height discourages pedestrians from climbing the fence. The intermediate posts provide three (3) mounting slot positions allowing the panels to be stepped up to a maximum of 100 mm between panels. The upper portion of each intermediate post is tapered and weakened to mitigate the potential for vehicle snagging.
The extensive crash testing of ZebraFence includes installation on flat ground, installation behind a kerb and gutter, installation with stepped panels and secondary impacts on previously crash tested systems.
Crash Test Evaluation
Barrier Configuration
Vehicle Type
Vehicle Mass
impact speed
impact angle
impact energy
Dynamic Deflection
Posts at 2m Centres
Barrier Configuration
Posts at 2m Centres
Vehicle Type
Vehicle Mass
impact speed
impact angle
impact energy
Dynamic Deflection
Product Features
MASH TL2 Compliant
Containment of a 2270 kg pickup truck travelling at 70 km/h and 25 degrees.
Real Life Impact Scenarios
Crash tested behind a kerb and gutter and with stepped panels.
Secondary Vehicle Impact Capability
Robust construction capable of withstanding secondary impacts.
Leading Pedestrian Safety
Prevents errant vehicles from entering the pedestrian area.
Innovative Design
Panels can be stepped up to 100 mm on sloping sites.
Australian Designed
Intellectual property developed and owned by Safe Direction.
Product Gallery
Downloads
Product Manual
Product Data Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Austroads guidelines for pedestrian safety?
Safe System-aligned measures for pedestrians require either full separation of pedestrians from vehicles or, where this cannot practically be achieved, low-risk travel speeds, typically not exceeding 30 km/h.
What are the limitations of public domain pedestrian fencing?
Public domain pedestrian fencing systems are used to assist with the safe movement of roadside users. They act as a physical barrier and are used to direct pedestrians to safe crossing areas, preventing them from inadvertently accessing areas of the road corridor where they may interact with vehicular traffic in an uncontrolled manner. However, public domain fencing systems are not road safety barriers and cannot be relied upon to arrest or redirect an errant vehicle or to prevent injury to pedestrians by errant vehicles.
What are the limitations of guardrail barriers in pedestrian areas?
The installation of guardrail barriers for the protection of pedestrians is problematic as follows:
- There is often insufficient space behind the guardrail barrier to accommodate system dynamic deflection.
- Short lengths of guardrail barriers may not provide vehicle containment or redirection.
- The height of guardrail barriers cannot be relied upon to restrict pedestrian movements.
- The width of a guardrail system may encroach into the pedestrian area.
- The edges and corners of guardrail systems may present risk to pedestrians and cyclists.
What are the design benefits of ZebraFence?
ZebraFence is a safety barrier system designed to prevent errant vehicles from entering the pedestrian area. ZebraFence has numerous design benefits including:
- Crash tested in accordance with MASH TL2.
- Secondary vehicle impact capability.
- Crash tested behind a kerb and gutter.
- Ability to step panels on a sloping site.
- Pedestrian friendly design features.
What is the vehicle impact capacity of ZebraFence?
ZebraFence has been crash tested in accordance with MASH Test Level 2 demonstrating containment of a 2270 kg pick-up truck travelling at 70 km/h and impacting the barrier at 25 degrees.
How was ZebraFence assessed for secondary vehicle impacts?
Secondary vehicle impacts were performed on previously impacted installations with no repairs undertaken between crash tests. Secondary vehicle impacts were performed as follows:
- 2270 kg pick-up truck travelling at 70 km/h and 25 degrees.
- 2000 kg SUV travelling at 80 km/h and 15 degrees.
Is ZebraFence suitable for installation behind a kerb and gutter?
Yes. The installation of barriers behind kerbs may affect vehicle trajectory causing instability, particularly for smaller passenger cars. Crash test evaluation of ZebraFence included installation behind a TfNSW type SA kerb, typically used adjacent to footways. The type SA has a kerb height of 150 mm providing maximum potential for vehicle vaulting. In all crash tests performed, the vehicle was prevented from entering the pedestrian area behind the barrier.
Can ZebraFence be installed on sloping ground?
Yes. The installation of pedestrian fencing typically requires the panels to remain level while the ground slopes. Therefore, the use of stepped panels maintains a consistent system height relative to ground level. The ZebraFence intermediate posts provide several mounting hole locations allowing the panels to be stepped in 50 mm increments up to a maximum step of 100 mm.
In addition to arresting errant vehicles, how does ZebraFence consider the safety of vulnerable road users?
The design of ZebraFence considers the following:
- The height of ZebraFence discourages pedestrians from climbing over the fence.
- The gap between the vertical balusters prevents children from climbing through.
- The system does not contain sharp edges which could be a danger to those who use the railing for support or guidance.
- The system does not have protrusions that could snag cyclists or the pedals of cycles as they pass.
- The balusters are offset facilitating line of sight for pedestrians and motorists.
- The narrow system width minimises encroachment into the pedestrian area.
Can ZebraFence withstand high-angle impacts?
Yes. Crash testing of ZebraFence included an impact with a 2000 kg vehicle travelling at 30 km/h and 90 degrees. This makes ZebraFence suitable for parking areas and intersections where high angle impacts are likely.
