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                Safety Eligibility Letter B-134C (2007)
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-134C (2007)
                          **Date:**
            11/21/2007
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Energy Absorption Systems
                          **Device Description:**
            (2007) Unanchored Vulcan, Vulcan-to-CMB Transition & Hinge
                          **View PDF:**
            b134c.pdf (3.43 MB)
    
    HSSD/B-134C



DOT logo
U.S. Department of Transportation
**Federal Highway Administration**
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C.  20590November 21, 2007
In Reply Refer To:  
HSSD/B-134C

Mr. Barry D. Stephens, P.E.
Sr. Vice President Engineering
Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
3617 Cincinnati Avenue
Rocklin, CA 95678
	
Dear Mr. Stephens:
Thank you for your October 19 letter requesting the Federal  Highway Administration’s (FHWA) acceptance of your company’s unanchored Vulcan, a Vulcan-to-CMB Transition and a new  Vulcan component called a Hinge segment as test level 3 (TL-3) devices  for use on the National Highway System (NHS).  In our November 17, 2005, letter B-134A, we accepted the use of Vulcan  barrier to be used in conjunction with transitions in runs of CMB. Your current request is an extension of this  previous design. You requested that we  find these devices 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.”
On October 19, 2007, you provided  my staff with test results from a crash test conducted on a run of unanchored  Vulcan, a Vulcan-to-CMB Transition and a new Vulcan component called a Hinge  segment. You requested FHWA’s acceptance  of this specific design which is referred to as the Vulcan Gate. The test results of the NCHRP Report 350 for  test 3-21 are documented in E-TECH Testing Services’ summary dated August  2007. For this test, five (5)  freestanding Vulcan segments were pinned together and the upstream and  downstream ends were pinned to unanchored Hinge segments which were pinned to  anchored Vulcan-to-PCMB Transition segments to provide longitudinal tension. The impact point was the first Vulcan segment  ahead of the new Hinge segment. The  2000p vehicle was redirected and the reported occupant risk values were  acceptable. The Crash Data Summary  Sheet, as well as drawings for the devices are enclosed for reference
The principle modification is the  addition of a short steel, Vulcan-shaped segment that can act as a lateral  hinge mechanism. The Vulcan, when configured  with this new hinge section, is referred to as the “Vulcan Gate” and hereafter  is referred to as VG. Energy conducted  capacity test 3-21 to ensure the integrity of this new configuration under TL-3  impact conditions.
A typical VG system is comprised  of existing Vulcan segments, two tested and accepted Transitions to CMB, and  two new Hinge Segments. The system  configuration is depicted in attached drawings V2000 and V6000. The new Hinges  may also be used in a run of Vulcan barrier to create a gate opening. The Hinge is constructed of two thrie-beam  panels integrated into side panels which identically match the cross-section of  the Vulcan. The side panels are attached  to the Hinge mid-frame by inserting tabs through slots on the Hinge mid-frame  and then pinning the two side panels in place.  Pinning is accomplished using (2) 48 mm diameter (OD) steel pins per  side panel. The Hinge is also connected  to the end Transitions and Vulcan sections with 48 mm diameter (OD) steel  pins. When both Hinge side panels are  manually removed, the Vulcan sections are able to pivot around the remaining 48  mm diameter (OD) steel pin. To minimize  corrosion, all Vulcan components, including the new Hinge segment, are hot dipped  galvanized.
Based upon the submitted test  results, we concur that the Vulcan Gate meets NCHRP Report 350 evaluation  criteria and may be used on the NHS as a TL-2 or 3 longitudinal barrier under  the range of conditions tested, when proposed by a State or local  transportation agency. We also agree that the successful results support the  acceptance of this design using any number of Vulcan segments to configure a  Vulcan Gate.
Please note the following standard provisions that apply to the  FHWA letters of acceptance:
This acceptance is limited to the  crashworthiness characteristics of the device(s).
  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, 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 chemistry,  mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for acceptance, and that  they will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the FHWA and the NCHRP  Report 350.
  To prevent misunderstanding by others, this  letter of acceptance, designated as number B-134C, 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.
  The Vulcan Barrier and Vulcan Gate are patented  products and considered proprietary. If  proprietary devices are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid  projects, except exempt, non-NHS 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 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  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,
        Signature of George E. Rice, Jr
      George E.  Rice, Jr. 
        Acting  Director, Office of Safety Design
      Office  of SafetyEnclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

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