Experts warn bamboo barriers unsafe without further testing

New Straits Times

14-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Civil engineering experts have cast doubt on the Kedah government's proposal to use live bamboo as a roadside safety barrier, saying it lacks compliance with safety standards unless properly engineered and tested.
Deputy Dean of Research and Industry Networking at Universiti Teknologi Mara's Faculty of Civil Engineering, Associate Professor Dr Mohd Khairul Kamarudin said that while bamboo has potential, it must be structurally engineered and rigorously tested before it can replace steel guardrails.
"Live bamboo does not meet global standards for energy absorption or vehicle containment. It cannot function as a certified vehicle restraint system," he said.
He added that processed or engineered bamboo could eventually serve such purposes, citing a trial in India where a 200-metre bamboo barrier known as Bahu Balli was installed along the Vani–Warora Highway in 2023.
"Bamboo has impressive tensile strength, close to mild steel, and its fibrous structure helps absorb low to moderate impact. But these qualities only apply under controlled conditions and need to be verified through technical research," he said.
However, Khairul said relying on raw bamboo planted by the roadside would not offer adequate crash protection, especially at higher speeds.
"Using bamboo for roadside safety must go through proper material treatment and design evaluation. Without this, it may pose more risks than benefits," he said.
Senior lecturer and transportation engineering specialist at the same faculty, Dr Rusdi Rusli, said combining earth embankments with vegetation might be feasible in rural areas with narrow roads and lower speed limits, but even this requires planning and reinforcement.
"Bamboo may offer flexibility compared to hardwood trees, but it cannot be treated as a direct safety barrier unless supported by structural measures," he said.
He added that while bamboo may be cheaper, the long-term costs of maintenance and the need for chemical treatment must be considered before any widespread implementation.
"Further studies are needed before this can be proposed as a practical safety feature. The idea is innovative and sustainable, but safety must come first," said Rusdi.
The federal government had earlier announced plans to study the installation of guardrails and streetlights along the Sungai Korok stretch.
In response, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor proposed planting buluh madu (honey bamboo) as a more affordable alternative to steel guardrails, which can cost up to RM400,000 per kilometre.
The bamboo buffer suggestion would be brought to the Public Works Department in light of the recent tragedy, where six family members were found dead inside a submerged vehicle that had plunged into Sungai Korok.