Saudi Roads Authority Advances Sector Development and Local Content
September 23, 2026
China Updates Desert Highway Standard: Guardrails and Wind-Blown Sand
September 29, 2026
China’s Highway Maintenance Standard: 3 Guardrail Repair and Replacement Takeaways
China’s Ministry of Transport has issued Specifications for Design of Highway Maintenance Engineering (JTG/T 5410—2026), effective from 1 November 2026. Section 5.7 covers the repair and maintenance of traffic safety facilities, including guardrails.
Three Points Relevant to Guardrail Maintenance
Repair or replacement depends on condition and safety needs. Clause 5.7.2 recommends tightening, straightening, repair or component replacement for localized or minor damage to restore compliance with the original design requirements. Where damage is severe and repair is not feasible, complete replacement is recommended. Where existing facilities no longer match the road section’s safety needs, measures such as strengthening, removal, new installation or relocation may be adopted to improve safety.
Existing structures and materials require inspection before reuse. Clause 5.7.4(5) requires inspection and testing of existing structures and materials intended for reuse in facilities such as guardrails and traffic signs. Reuse is permitted only once they have been verified to meet current applicable technical requirements.
Guardrail design must be coordinated with pavement maintenance. Clause 5.7.5(3) requires traffic sign and guardrail design to be based on the road’s vertical clearance and pavement elevation after pavement maintenance. Clause 5.7.10 requires assessment of the guardrail’s containment level where its height is insufficient and specifies conditions requiring replacement or modification design.
Our Supplier Perspective
Maintenance supply involves more than replacing a quantity of guardrail beams. Before quotation, confirming approved drawings, existing beam profiles, post and connection details, site damage and planned pavement works helps identify suitable replacement components and supporting documentation.
The project’s design and management teams should determine the repair, replacement or modification approach. Overseas projects remain subject to local standards and client-approved specifications; this Chinese standard should not be applied automatically.
Source and Translation
Source: Official announcement by China’s Ministry of Transport (Chinese); JTG/T 5410—2026, Clauses 5.7.2, 5.7.4(5), 5.7.5(3) and 5.7.10 (printed pages 76, 80 and 81 of the Chinese standard).
English translation and editorial summary prepared by China Guardrail. This article summarizes selected provisions and includes our supplier perspective. It is not an official English translation of the standard and does not replace the original Chinese text or project design documents.
Guardrail supply enquiries: sales@chinaguardrail.com
Website: chinaguardrail.com
Downloads
Download the original Chinese standard (PDF, 114 pages)
Download the unofficial English translation of selected traffic safety provisions (PDF, 10 pages)
Prepared by China Guardrail, this unofficial English attachment translates Section 5.7 in full, including its tables and source commentary, with selected related requirements and clearly labelled translator’s notes. It is not a full translation of the standard or an official English version. In case of ambiguity, the Chinese original governs.
