this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
67 points (98.6% liked)

What is this thing?

5242 readers
1 users here now

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

All along the motorway these things are mounted on the crash barrier between the lanes. There's one crash barrier for each direction of traffic and only one of them has these things mounted.

There's a couple of different colors, the darker ones fewer, no idea if that is on purpose or coincidence. There's some with white and red stripes at regular intervals.

I can't figure the purpose of these, does anyone know?

all 21 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] uservoid1@lemmy.world 40 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Anti glare screen system to hide traffic beams from the other side of the road

[–] steb@discuss.tchncs.de 16 points 9 months ago

Oh, that's the purpose? I don't think I'd ever guessed. Thank you.

[–] scrapeus@feddit.de 8 points 9 months ago

Wish we had that in Germany. As great as the autobahn is, when it rains it reflects so much that you don't see the Markings anymore without highbeams.

But maybe that's a northern thing.

[–] abouttocomealive@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago (2 children)

But looking at the picture there is no road behind them, only the path going up the mountain?

[–] steb@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 9 months ago

There's two opposing lanes of traffic on the other side if the barrier, I assure you. Cyprus drives on the left side of the road.

[–] Old_Dude@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

Looks like road going up the hill to the right.

[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Did you know: Open bottom crash barriers decapitate motorcyclists when they crash

👍

[–] steb@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Now imagine crash barriers made of steel wire. I don't know if they are still used in new projects, but there plenty of them around and a reason they were called cheese slicers.

Edit: I had to look it up and it seems these barriers are being or have been removed: https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/wire-rope-barriers-removed/

[–] DirigibleProtein@aussie.zone 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

They’re common in Australia. One of the reasons that motorcyclists are called “temporary Australians” and “meat crayons”.

[–] steb@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 9 months ago

Ow. That kind of hurts, even if I don't drive a motorcycle these days

[–] TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

they knew the risks when they bought those death traps

[–] czardestructo@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I would have guess to prevent animals from jumping it and wandering in traffic. The markers on the road side are just reflectors for night driving. This is speculation.

[–] steb@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 9 months ago

That would only be effective for blocking access to the lanes in the other direction, these are mounted in the middle of the motorway, not at the edges. But I think the high beam shield is perfectly reasonable as explanation.

[–] 342345@feddit.de 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] steb@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 9 months ago

Doubtful, why just shield one direction of traffic if so?