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                Safety Eligibility Letter B-152
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-152
                          **Date:**
            03/27/2008
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Permatile Concrete Prod [Mis labeled as B-151]
                          **Device Description:**
            Revision of FHWA acceptance to Include shorter segments of TCB
                          **View PDF:**
            b152.pdf (1.87 MB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter B-152

			 
			**Download Version**PDF [1.40 MB]
			
			DOT logoU.S. Department of Transportation**Federal Highway Administration**
			1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.Washington, D.C. 20590
			March 27, 2008
			In Reply Refer To: HSSD/B-151
			
			Bryant L. Lowery, P.E.
				Special Design Engineer
				Location and Design Division
				Virginia Department of TransportationM
				1401 East Broad Street
				Richmond, Virginia  23219
				
			Dear Mr. Lowery:
			This letter is in response to your request for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acceptance of a roadside safety device for use on the National Highway System (NHS).
			Name  of device:Permatile Precast Concrete Barrier 10 foot lengthType of  device:Portable concrete barrierTest Level:NCHRP Report 350 TL-3Prior Testing conducted by:Texas Transportation Institute (TTI)Date of  request:March 14, 2008You requested that we find this device acceptable for use on  the NHS under the provisions of National Cooperative Highway Research Program  (NCHRP) Report 350 “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance  Evaluation of Highway Features.”
			**Requirements**
			Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines contained in the NCHRP  Report 350, "Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation  of Highway Features". FHWA Memorandum “Action: Identifying Acceptable  Highway Safety Features” of July 25, 1997, provides further guidance on crash  testing requirements of longitudinal barriers.
			**Description**
			You requested formal acceptance of the Virginia Department of Transportation  (VDOT) 10 foot F-shape Concrete Barrier with the pin and loop positive  connection. A 20 foot version of this  design (Scan01.tif, enclosed for reference) was tested and accepted for use as  a TL-3 NCHRP 350 temporary barrier in FHWA Acceptance Letter B-54 dated May 18,  1999. Permatile Concrete Products  Company manufactured and supplied this barrier that was tested by TTI under  NCHRP report 350 Test 3-11, Contract No. T99011 and Project No. 402041. The drawings “Scan02.tif” and “Scan03.tif” include  the details of the 10' version and are enclosed for reference.
			**Crash Testing**
			The 20-foot long version of the VDOT barrier was successfully crash tested  as noted above. Through the observation of crash testing of numerous portable  concrete barrier segments of varying lengths over the years FHWA has learned  that the length of the barrier plays little, if any, role in the successful  performance. As long as the steel reinforcing and the integrity of the end  connections are maintained, the shorter barrier length will be acceptable for  use.
			**Findings**
			The 10-foot long VDOT barrier described above and detailed  in the enclosed drawings is acceptable for use on the NHS under the range of  conditions that the 20-foot barrier was tested, when proposed by a State.
			Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA letters of  acceptance:
			This acceptance is limited to the  crashworthiness characteristics of the devices and does not cover their  structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control  Devices.
				Any changes that may adversely influence  the crashworthiness of the device will require a new acceptance letter.
				Should the FHWA discover that the  qualification testing was flawed, that in-service performance reveals  unacceptable safety problems, or that the device being marketed is  significantly different from the version that was crash tested, we reserve the  right to modify or revoke our acceptance.
				You will be expected to supply potential  users with sufficient information on design and installation requirements to  ensure proper performance.
				We expect you will wish to have suppliers  of this device certify that the hardware furnished has essentially the same  chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for  acceptance, and that it will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the FHWA  and the NCHRP Report 350.
				To prevent misunderstanding by others, this  letter of acceptance is designated as number  B-151 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 acceptance letter shall not be  construed as authorization or consent by the FHWA to use, manufacture, or sell  any patented device for which the applicant is not the patent holder. The acceptance letter is limited to the  crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate device, 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.Sincerely yours,
						David A. Nicol
						David A. Nicol, P.E.Director, Office of Safety DesignOffice of Safety2 Enclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

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