Many people mistakenly believe that bridge railings are merely a "stop," but their core function far exceeds this superficial understanding. According to the *Design Specifications for Highway Traffic Safety Facilities* (JTG D81), the core function of bridge railings is to prevent out-of-control vehicles from running off the bridge, avoiding serious traffic accidents. Simultaneously, they separate vehicles from pedestrians, guide drivers' vision, reduce driver fatigue, and comprehensively ensure bridge traffic safety.
From a practical application perspective, the safety protection capabilities of bridge railings are directly related to the safety of life and property. For example, the Beidahe Bridge on National Highway 213, due to the lack of effective separation between the original pedestrian walkway and the driving lane, was deemed insufficient and classified as Class II due to increased traffic volume and heavy vehicles. The original concrete railings of the Maying Bridge suffered from damage, exposed reinforcement, and breakage, failing to meet current traffic safety requirements. After upgrading and renovating the railings, a solid safety barrier for travelers was established. This also confirms that a qualified bridge inevitably requires a reliable railing system as its support.
In addition to their primary function, bridge railings also serve as a "buffer" – when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, a high-quality railing can absorb the impact energy through its own deformation, reducing the damage to the vehicle and its occupants, while preventing the vehicle from falling off the bridge and minimizing accident losses. Meanwhile, the railings on the outer side of the pedestrian walkway (with a height of no less than 1.10 meters) are specifically designed to protect pedestrian safety and prevent accidental falls, forming a double layer of protection with the vehicle guardrails.