T-Lok is a new rubber in concrete road safety barrier that has been developed using funding provided by Tyre Stewardship Australia.
An innovative use of Tyre Derived Material (TDM) will enhance public safety and support the recovery of end-of-life tyres in Australia – 1 kilometre of T-Lok barriers uses 12 tonnes of recycled rubber which is the equivalent of 2,000 passenger tyres, and it is projected the product could use up to 60,000 (360 tonnes) passenger tyres per year.
The inclusion of rubber crumb derived from tyres enhances the flexibility and durability of the concrete barrier resulting in better energy absorption, reduced risk to vehicle occupants and increased barrier lifespan.
TSA put $180,000AUS into the project developed as a cooperation between Safer Roads, The University of Melbourne Advanced Protective Technologies of Engineering Structures and the TSA Development Team.
In September 2023 live tests demonstrated compliance with Australian and New Zealand Standard 3845.1:2015 for Road Safety Barriers. The T-Lok barriers were recommended to the Austroads Safety Barrier Assessment Panel in March 2023 and the approval made in April.
