7 Reasons the HighwayGuard Barrier Is the Safest Road Safety Barrier Ever

At RPM Hire, we’re committed to delivering the very best in traffic management and road safety equipment. When it comes to temporary and semi-permanent barriers that protect motorists, workers and project sites, one product stands out: the HighwayGuard Steel Barrier. Below are seven compelling reasons why we believe HighwayGuard is the safest road-safety barrier system, and why it should be the first choice for your next high-risk or high-speed job.

1.Highest Performance Standard: MASH TL-4 Approved

HighwayGuard has achieved the rigorous MASH 16 TL-3 and TL-4 crash-test ratings, meaning it’s been tested and approved to handle impacts up to a 10-tonne truck at specified speeds and angles. Many temporary steel or event barriers are ony rated for lower speeds or lighter vehicles. With HighwayGuard, you get a barrier that’s engineered for truly demanding work-zone conditions. At RPM Hire we’ve found that investing in this level of safety means fewer compromises, less risk and a more robust solution for our clients.

2.Low Deflection & Narrow Footprint

One of the biggest challenges on high-speed roads or constrained sites is how far the barrier moves (deflects) when impacted and how much space it eats up. HighwayGuard has been designed with very low deflection in its “Minimum Deflection System” (MDS) configuration. The HWG footprint is narrow, just 0.54 m wide. What this means in practical terms is that you maximise the usable work-zone area behind the barrier, reduce exposure of workers to live traffic, and simplify positioning in tighter geometries (curves, lane narrowing, intersections). For busy civil works on major highways, this road barrier is a game-changer.

3.Quick & Flexible Installation

HighwayGuard uses a smart two-part system: a symmetry-designed 6 m section plus a universal “T-connector” that simplifies join-up. This means less labour time on site, faster installation and easier adaptation if the works change. If you’re wanting to create an access gap for site crews, this system allows sections to be removed mid-run. These road safety barriers allow you to reuse the same barrier on a different alignment and the modular nature makes it straightforward.

4.Compatible With Existing Systems

HighwayGuard is designed to integrate with other approved barrier systems, including the BG800 Steel Barrier via a transition piece. That means if you already have existing runs of barrier (or you want to mix barrier types for different segments of the job) you’re not locked into a single product. At RPM Hire, we see this as a major benefit: you can tailor the barrier layout according to traffic speed, site geometry or budget, while still maintaining compliance and high performance.

5.Transport & Cost Efficiency

Although this barrier delivers premium performance, it has been engineered for efficient transport and handling. For instance: on one truck you can carry significantly more length of HighwayGuard compared to heavier concrete systems. Fewer truckloads mean lower logistics cost, lower CO₂ emissions, less site disruption.
For hire customers, that translates into better value and a more streamlined site setup.

6.Adaptable to Challenging Geometry

One of the standout features of HighwayGuard is its ability to work in harder-to-tackle geometries: lane narrowing, tight curves, roundabouts, intersections. Thanks to optional angled connectors (2.5°, 5°, 10°) and wheelsets for repositioning. So, if your project includes an urban work zone, a highway curvature, or wants flexible access points for site vehicles, this barrier offers solutions.

7.Long Service Life & Reusability

The barrier is galvanised steel, designed for longevity when maintained correctly. For rentals, this is great: you’re tapping into an asset that’s robust, reusable and less likely to show wear-out issues. For customers, it means consistent performance over multiple jobs, and for us at RPM Hire it means reliability and lower downtime.

Why Choose HighwayGuard via RPM Hire?

When it comes to choosing a barrier system for your roadworks or construction project, you’re balancing safety, cost, logistics and site practicality. HighwayGuard ticks all these boxes, and at RPM Hire we’ve backed it because we believe our clients deserve equipment that doesn’t compromise.

Here are just three ways we deliver value:

• We provide barrier-hire nationally across our branches in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
• Our experienced barrier teams handle delivery, installation and removal, meaning you get a turnkey solution, not just equipment hire.
• We support you every step of the way: specification advice, installation support, 24/7 service. Because when you’re working in live traffic environments, there’s no room for surprises.

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