A review on additive manufactured engineering materials for enhanced road safety and transportation applications

Abstract

Road safety systems are critical engineering solutions designed to minimize the effects of traffic accidents and increase the safety of transportation infrastructures. Traditional road safety structures are generally manufactured using steel, concrete and polymer materials. However, manufacturing processes with these materials are high-cost, limited in terms of design flexibility and can lead to material waste. In recent years, rapidly developing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies stand out as an important alternative in the production of road safety systems. AM enables the production of complex geometries and enables the development of lightweight and high-strength structures that can absorb impact energy more effectively. This study focuses on the use of AM methods in road safety systems, examining the performance and applicability of polymer, metal and composite materials. The advantages of AM-produced road safety barriers, traffic signs, speed bumps and shock absorbing structures, depending on the material type, are evaluated. In addition, the advantages offered by AM, such as design flexibility, sustainable production processes and material efficiency, are discussed, and technical challenges and applicability limitations are also discussed. This review evaluates the current and potential applications of AM for road safety systems, providing insights into how this technology can be used more effectively in the future. The findings of the study provide significant contributions towards improving the integration of AM technologies into road safety systems from both academic and industrial perspectives. The findings of the study provide important contributions to the development of the integration of AM technologies into road safety systems from both academic and industrial perspectives. Future research can further enhance the innovative potential of AM in road safety systems, with a particular focus on sustainable material use, design optimization and energy efficiency in manufacturing processes. However, overcoming technical challenges in large-scale applications and compliance with regulatory standards are critical research areas for the widespread adoption of this technology.