Safety Eligibility Letter B-230

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration

1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590

January 12, 2012

In Reply Refer To:
HSST/B-230

Scott Rosenbaugh
Research Associate Engineer
Midwest Roadside Safety Facility UNL
527 Nebraska Hall
P.O. Box 880529
Lincoln Nebraska  68588-0529

Dear Mr. Rosenbaugh:

This letter is in response to your request for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to review a roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. 

Decision:
The following device is eligible, with details provided in your June 28, 2011, letter which is enclosed and considered an integral part of this finding:

• Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) with White Pine Posts

Based on a review of crash test results you submitted certifying the device described herein meets the crashworthiness criteria of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), the device is eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. Eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval or endorsement by the FHWA for any particular purpose or use. 

The FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United States Government do not endorse products or services and the issuance of a reimbursement eligibility letter is not an endorsement of any product or service.

Requirements
Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines contained in the MASH.

Description and Crash Testing
The MGS with White Pine Posts is described in the enclosed letter dated June 28, 2011 and is illustrated in the enclosed drawings.  The MASH Test 3-11 is detailed in the enclosed Test Data Summary Sheet and showed that the pickup truck test met all appropriate criteria. The maximum dynamic deflection of the barrier was 46.3 inches, and the Working Width of the system was 58.4 inches. In comparison, the Working Width of the MGS on Southern Yellow Pine posts was 49 inches.

Findings
Therefore, the system described and detailed in the enclosures is eligible for reimbursement and may be installed under the range of conditions tested.

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA eligibility letters:

• This letter provides a AASHTO/ARTBA/AGC Task Force 13 designator that should be used for the purpose of the creation of a new and/or the update of existing Task Force 13 drawing for posting on the on-line 'Guide to Standardized Highway Barrier Hardware' currently referenced in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide. 
• This finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the systems and does not cover their structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Any changes that may influence the crashworthiness of the system will require a new reimbursement eligibility letter.
• Should the FHWA discover that the qualification testing was flawed, that in-service performance reveals safety problems, or that the system is significantly different from the version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter.
• You will be expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and installation requirements to ensure proper performance.
• You will be expected to certify to potential users that the hardware furnished has the same chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for review, and that it will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware.
• To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as number B-230 and shall not be reproduced except in full.  This letter and the test documentation upon which it is based are public information.  All such letters and documentation may be reviewed at our office upon request.
• This letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the FHWA to use, manufacture, or sell any patented system for which the applicant is not the patent holder.  The finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate system, and the FHWA is neither prepared nor required to become involved in issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, are to be resolved by the applicant.

Enclosures