The mechanism and design optimization of snowdrift disaster prevention and control by the wind deflector of the roadside guardrail

With the implementation of national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Transportation Power Strategy, China’s highway network has expanded significantly into snowdrift-prone regions. Snowdrift on roadways leads to dangerous driving conditions, including reduced visibility and slippery surfaces, severely impacting road safety and traffic efficiency. To mitigate this hazard, this study proposes the installation of wind deflectors on existing roadside guardrails. A computational model of the wind deflector was developed using Fluent software to simulate the wind flow field under varying installation configurations. Three key design parameters were considered: the bottom installation height ( h 1 ), the top installation height ( h 2 ), and the installation angle ( β ) of the wind deflector relative to the horizontal plane. Through comparative simulation analysis under low (5.4 m/s), medium (10.7 m/s), and high (17.1 m/s) wind speeds, the study found that an optimized configuration with h 1 = 0.45 m, h 2 = 2.50 m, and β = 80° achieved the most effective snowdrift control. These results provide a theoretical and practical reference for the improvement of snow hazard prevention facilities on highways in snow-prone regions.