November 17, 2025
Bridge Parapets: The Essential Safety Element on Bridges
When we see a bridge or viaduct, we usually focus on its design or the engineering that supports it. However, there is one element that often goes unnoticed despite its great importance, ensuring the safety of thousands of vehicles every day and serving as a fundamental component of these structures: bridge parapets.
A bridge parapet is a vehicle restraint system installed along the edges of bridges, aqueducts, or similar structures that prevents vehicles from leaving the roadway in the event of an impact, thereby minimizing the damage that such an accident can cause. Therefore, although it may appear to be a simple physical element without a specific purpose, we can assure you that it is specifically designed to perform a vital function.
How do we design them and what types of bridge parapets does Road Steel offer?
Their design complies with EN 1317 standards, which means they guarantee a range of parameters such as containment level, working width, and dynamic deflection, ensuring that their characteristics are optimized to protect both vehicles and their occupants.
As we know that every bridge is different, Road Steel offers a wide range of references in our catalog:
CPS 07, CPS 08 and CPS 09: With H2 containment levels for standard bridges.
PMH-13 and PMH-16: For demanding environments, with H2 and H3 containment levels.
Smart Rail: For environments where aesthetic integration and maximum safety are required, combining a parapet with a steel barrier for enhanced protection.
Aesthetic Urban Parapets: Designed to perform optimally in urban environments where aesthetics play a fundamental role.
The safety and optimal performance of our parapets can be seen in the many installations we have completed around the world, such as the Ouagadougou North Interchange in Burkina Faso and the N-502 national road viaduct in Spain.
We ensure the reliability of our solutions by carrying out the entire process, from design and manufacturing through to installation.
