USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Roadway Departure Safety
                        Reduce Crash Severity
                        Hardware Eligibility Letters


            
            In This Section
        Roadway Departure Safety
                Strategic Approach
                                Strategic Plan
                Crash Emphasis Brochures
                Focused Approach
                Noteworthy Practices
                Partner Resources
                Keep Vehicles on the Road
                                Pavement Friction
                Horizontal Curve Safety
                Rumble Strips and Rumble Stripes
                Nighttime Visibility
                Provide for a Safe Recovery
                                SafetyEdge
                Clear Zones
                Reduce Crash Severity
                                Overview
                Hardware Eligibility Letters
                Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD)
                                Overview
                All Public Roads
                Proven Countermeasures
                Systemic Approach
                Safety Action Plans
                FoRRRwD Resources
                
                Safety Eligibility Letter B-144
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-144
                          **Date:**
            03/10/2006
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            LifeNet Softwalls, LLC
                          **Device Description:**
            Recyled Tire Barrier
                          **View PDF:**
            b144.pdf (1.72 MB)
    
    HSA-10/B-144



DOT logo
U.S. Department of Transportation
**Federal Highway Administration**
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C.  20590March 10, 2006
In Reply Refer To:HSA-10/B-144

Mr. Alex F. Talbott
LifeNet SoftWalls, LLC
8311 Shelbyville Road
Louisville, KY  40222
	
Dear Mr. Talbott:

In your February 2 letter, you requested the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acceptance of a barrier system comprised of used automobile tires called the LifeNet SoftWalls Median Barrier System.  You also sent me copies of test reports prepared by the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio, that documented the results of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 tests 3-10 and 3-11.  Initial staff review of these reports revealed some errors and inconsistencies that needed to be addressed.  Corrected copies of these reports were received electronically on March 3.

The tested LifeNet Softwalls barrier system consisted of approximately 400 used automobile tires with diameters ranging from 23 inches to 31 inches.  These tires were arranged in stacks seven tires high and connected together with tire treads from other tires.  Enclosure 1 shows the component parts and the layout of the test installation.  As can be seen, the installation was set in a 4.5 foot offset zigzag pattern with each individual segment consisting of 6 interlocking stacks of tires.  The barrier height was 4.5 feet and its overall length was 105 feet.  The test installation was freestanding on a flat concrete surface and was unanchored.  Tennis balls were used under the tread strap sets to simulate drainage risers.
 
In test 3-10, the small car impacted the barrier at 100.7 kmh and an impact angle of 20 degrees approximately 80 feet downstream from the beginning of the installation.  The vehicle was effectively "captured" (rather than redirected) by the barrier, which straightened out during the impact and slid along the ground approximately 17 feet longitudinally and 12 feet laterally.  Occupant impact velocity was 11.6 m/s and the ridedown acceleration was 9.3 G's.  In test 
3-11, the pickup truck impacted at 100.3 kmh and at an impact angle of 25 degrees, also approximately 80 feet from the upstream end of the test installation.  Again, the vehicle was captured upright by the barrier as it was straightened out from its original zigzag alignment.  The barrier moved approximately 40 feet longitudinally and 16 feet laterally.  Occupant impact 
velocity was 9.7 m/s and the ridedown acceleration was 5.7 G's.  In both tests, the selected impact point was 80 feet from the upstream end of the test installation thus establishing the design length of need point.  Enclosure 2 shows the summary sheets for the two tests that were run.

Based on the reported results of these tests, the LifeNet SoftWalls Median Barrier System meets the evaluation criteria in the NCHRP Report 350 for a test level 3 longitudinal barrier and may be used on the National Highway System if selected for use by a transportation authority.  In both tests, acceptable crash performance was contingent upon the test vehicles being stable immediately prior to impact (i.e., the vehicles' suspensions were neither compressed nor extended) and upon the LifeNet Softwalls installation being free to translate both longitudinally and laterally along the ground.  End users may require additional testing if your barrier is installed on sloping terrain or on a surface that may prevent or restrict its free movement when struck by a vehicle.

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to this acceptance letter:
This acceptance is based on the reported crash performance of the LifeNet SoftWalls barrier under the conditions in which it was tested.  It is not intended to address its structural or maintenance characteristics or its long term durability.
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, it reserves the right to modify or revoke its acceptance.
	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 essentially the same mechanical properties and geometry as that submitted for acceptance. 
	To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of acceptance, designated as number B-144 shall not be reproduced except in full.  This letter, and the test documentation upon which this letter is based, is public information.  All such letters and documentation may be reviewed at our office upon request.
	If the LifeNet SoftWalls barrier is patented it is considered "proprietary."  If proprietary devices are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects they: (a) must be supplied through competitive bidding with equally suitable unpatented items; (b) the highway agency must certify that they are essential for synchronization with 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, a copy of which is enclosed.
	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,
***/original signed  by/*****John R.  Baxter, P.E.
       Director,  Office of Safety Design 
      Office  of Safety**
2 Enclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us