Concrete lock
The term concrete sluice describes a structural narrowing of a lane with the help of concrete protective walls . The lock is designed in such a way that only a narrow passage width is available for flowing traffic. In this way, larger vehicles, especially heavy goods vehicles, are to be effectively prevented from passing through. Appropriate signs point the vehicle driver to the lock in advance and indicate an alternative route.
The use and the effect of concrete sluices are extremely controversial. In 2008, several concrete sluices were installed in the Kassel area to keep heavy traffic away from the dilapidated Fuldatalbrücke Bergshausen . After numerous serious accidents occurred in the concrete sluices, the authorities reacted and dismantled the concrete sluices again.
application
In Germany, concrete sluices were used in the following places for a few months in 2008:
- Federal motorway 7 around the Kassel-Süd motorway triangle
- Bundesautobahn 44 at the level of the Kassel-West interchange
Problem
The concrete sluices were set up with a clear width of around two meters, which meant that the minimum lane width of 2.75 m was clearly undercut. Vehicle drivers often underestimated the actual width of their vehicles or ignored or overlooked the signs in advance. Because of the rigid and massive construction of the concrete lock, many vehicles got stuck or even rolled over. The recovery of these vehicles turned out to be very complex due to the narrow lanes. In addition, rear-end collisions occurred when a vehicle crashed in the lock.
After numerous accidents had occurred and a road user had a fatal accident, the competent authority ordered the dismantling of the concrete sluices.