Crashworthy Work Zone Traffic Control Devices

Federal Highway Administration policy calls for the use of crashworthy channelizers, signs, barricades, barriers, etc., in work zones on the National Highway System. "Crashworthy" devices are those that have passed a crash test conducted under the guidance of NCHRP Report 350. From the links on this page you can read about FHWA policy on crashworthy hardware, learn about the different categories of work zone devices, search for FHWA Acceptance Letters on all devices that have been deemed crashworthy, review Frequently Asked Questions about work zone devices, and more.

FHWA guidance on crash testing of work zone traffic control devices is contained in two memoranda. The first, dated July 25, 1997, titled "Information: Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety Features," [HTML, PDF 1.24 MB] established four categories of work zone devices:

  • Category I devices were those lightweight devices which could be self-certified by the vendor.
  • Category II devices were other lightweight devices which needed individual crash testing.
  • Category III devices were barriers and other fixed or massive devices also needing crash testing.
  • Category IV devices were trailer mounted lighted signs, arrow panels, etc.

The second guidance memorandum, "INFORMATION: Crash Tested Work Zone Traffic Control Devices" [PDF 3.72 MB] was issued on August 28, 1998 This more recent memorandum lists devices that are acceptable under Categories I, II, and III, and provided compliance dates for hardware to be used on the National Highway System. All new work zone hardware on the NHS must now comply and be crashworthy, with the exception of Category IV trailer mounted devices. FHWA will continue to monitor the crash history of these devices and intends to issue additional guidance in October of 2006.

Program Contact

Mary McDonough

202-366-2175

What’s New

Guidance memorandum on the Roadside Design Guide - 4th Edition NEW!

Memorandum - Roadside Safety Hardware-Federal-Aid Reimbursement Eligibility Process NEW!

2009 MUTCD Compliance Dates Revised NEW!

FHWA Technical Advisory T 5040.40: Center Line Rumble Strips NEW!

FHWA Memo: Technical Advisories for Rumble Strips NEW!

Roadway Departure Safety Implementation Plans

Roadway Departure Countermeasures

Roadside Design: Steel Strong Post W-beam. A guidance memo was issued on May 17, 2010 on the height of guardrail for new installations. Guidance regarding existing guardrail will be developed in the next several months, in consultation with AASHTO’s Technical Committee on Roadside Safety.

Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [HTML, PDF]

MUTCD Text of the Proposed Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity Standard

Summary of the MUTCD Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity Standard

Revised Assessment of Economic Impacts of Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity

Publications

Low Cost Treatments for Horizontal Curve Safety

The Safety Edge