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 WZ-289
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Work Zone Devices
                          **Code:**
            WZ-289
                          **Date:**
            03/18/2010
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Panel Resource Group, Inc.
                          **Device Description:**
            Alcopla-Lite sign substrates up to 4mm thick
                          **View PDF:**
            wz289.pdf (112.67 KB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter WZ - 289

	

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

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

			March 18, 2010

			In Reply Refer To: HSSD/ WZ-289

			

			Mr. Paul R. Grime

				President

				Panel Resource Group, Inc.

				12206 Nithdale Court

				Chesterfield, VA  23838

				

			Dear Mr. Grime:

			In your correspondence of August 11, 2009, you requested the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acceptance of Alcopla-Lite sign substrates up to 4mm thick.  Accompanying your request were product specifications. You requested acceptance of Alcopla-Lite sign substrates for use with accepted sign stands on the National Highway System (NHS) under the provisions of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features.”

			The material properties of the Alcopla-Lite substrates are nearly identical and considered equivalent to other previously accepted 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm light weight aluminum composite material to be used as sign substrates.  Our records indicate that 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm aluminum composite material signs have been successfully crash tested on portable stands made by a number of manufacturers and are limited to use on the tested and accepted stands.

Mr. Matt Lupes of my office replied on August 18, 2009, with a letter stating that Alcopla-Lite sign substrates were essentially equivalent to other aluminum laminate substrates found acceptable by FHWA and were likewise acceptable for use.  On March 12, 2010, you requested a formal numbered FHWA Acceptance Letter documenting this action.

As the FHWA already accepts the use of lightweight aluminum composite material as sign substrates, we will also consider Alcopla-Lite sign substrates with thicknesses up to and including 4mm, for use on the NHS *under the range of conditions that equivalent materials have been tested and accepted*, 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 systems 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 system will require a new acceptance letter.
	Should the FHWA discover that in-service performance reveals unacceptable safety problems, or that the system being marketed is significantly different from the versions that were accepted, 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.
	You will be expected to certify to potential users 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        WZ-289 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.
	Alcopla-Lite sign substrates are patented products and considered proprietary.  If proprietary systems are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects, except exempt, non-NHS 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.
	This acceptance 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 acceptance letter is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate system, and 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,

						*/* Signature of David A. Nicol */*

						David A. Nicol, P.E.Director, Office of Safety DesignOffice of SafetyEnclosure 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