Elementary Analysis of Race Circuit Barrier Placement

Some fundamentals of barrier placement are derived in this paper and the results are analyzed. While no ideal barrier distance from the racing line can be found for every scenario, each case has a single, worst distance which maximizes impact severity as measured by the vehicle's velocity component normal to the barrier. The ramifications of placing a barrier beyond this critical distance or between the critical distance and the racing groove are examined. Ideas for extending this research are also provided.