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                Safety Eligibility Letter B-153B
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-153B
                          **Date:**
            02/06/2013
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Atlanticum Bridge Corp.
                          **Device Description:**
            NatureRail Aesthetic Barrier with various wood species
                          **View PDF:**
            b153b.pdf (1.22 MB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter B-153B


						
**Download Version**PDF [10 KB]

			DOT logoU.S. Department of Transportation**Federal Highway Administration**

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

			February 6, 2013

			In Reply Refer To: 
		 HSST/B-153B



Mr. Jason Hubbell
  The Atlanticum Bridge Corporation
  P.O. Box 1644
  Fort Walton Beach, FL  32549
Dear Mr. Hubbell:
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.
Name of system:

 	 NatureRail Quick-Joint / Alternate Wood SpeciesType of system:

 	 Aesthetic Roadside BarrierTest Level:

 	 NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 2 (TL2)Original testing conducted by:
  	   National Crash Analysis Center (NCAC)Task Force 13 Designator:
  	   SGR46Date of request
  	   September 26, 2012Date initially acknowledged:
  	   
  	   October 2, 2012Date of final package:
  	  January 30, 2013**Decision:**
The following device is eligible, with details provided in the form which is attached as an integral part of this letter:
  NatureRail Quick-Joint Alternate Wood SpeciesBased on a review of existing crash test results and the  computational analysis submitted by the manufacturer certifying the as  submitted device described herein meets the crash test and evaluation criteria  of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, the Alternate Wood Species 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**
To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, roadside safety devices should meet the crash test and evaluation criteria contained in the NCHRP Report 350 or the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).
  **Description**
    The device and supporting documentation are described in  the attached form.
  **Summary and Standard Provisions**
Therefore, the system described and detailed in the  attached form 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 does not cover other structural features of the systems, nor conformity with the  Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
    Any  changes that may influence system conformance with NCHRP Report 350 criteria  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 are  expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and  installation requirements to ensure proper performance.
    You are  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 crash test and evaluation criteria of the NCHRP  Report 350.
    To  prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as  number B-153B 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 FHWA does not become  involved in issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, are to be  resolved by the applicant.
    The NatureRail Quick-Joint Alternate Wood  Species are patented products and considered proprietary.  If proprietary systems are specified by a  highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects: (a) they must be supplied  through competitive bidding with equally suitable unpatented items; (b) the  highway agency must certify that they are essential for synchronization with  the existing highway facilities or that no equally suitable alternative exists;  or (c) they must be used for research or for a distinctive type of construction  on relatively short sections of road for experimental purposes.  Our regulations concerning proprietary  products are contained in Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Section  635.411.Sincerely yours,
        
        */* Signature of Michael S. Griffith */*
        
        Michael S. Griffith
          Director, Office of Safety  Technologies
          Office of SafetyEnclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

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