Back to Roadside Hardware Work Zone Devices
Pre 1998 devices are subject to state guidelines. Many states have already removed older devices from their projects. Some have yet to do so.
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This shows the typical set up for a work zone device crash test. The 1800-pound vehicle, traveling at 100 km/hr, impacts the first device which is oriented properly. The next device is placed 6 meters downstream and is oriented perpendicular to the first. No low-speed testing is required for devices weighing less than 100 pounds that simply sit on the pavement. |
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The Type II is a proprietary plastic barricade, and the type III is the generic angle iron barricade. There are generic "angle-iron" Type II barricades also. Not all type II barricades have been crash tested with warning lights, so one must check the individual letters to see if they are acceptable. All crashworthy Type III barricades are acceptable with LIGHTWEIGHT warning lights (1.5 kg or less) |
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Portable sign stands show the greatest number of variations in terms of steel or aluminum frame, sign size, height, sign substrate, flags. Most of the x-footprint stands that have been crash tested have used roll-up signs, but there have been a few with a breakaway feature at the base that can support rigid signs at 5 feet or higher. | |
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Generic Design Head on impact was ok. 90 degree sliced both roof (corner of 48x48) and windshield (advisory plate). | |
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Michigan redesign featured stiffer uprights, removal of advisory plate, and relocated light to corner to spread out force of impact on the roof. Minnesota has a design for low-mounted rigid signs that also had to be redesigned to feature stiffer uprights. | |
For Additional Information:
Nick Artimovich
FHWA - HSA-10
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
mailto:nick.artimovich@fhwa.dot.gov