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 CC-81
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Barrier Terminals and Crash Cushions
                          **Code:**
            CC-81
                          **Date:**
            08/30/2002
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            TRINITY Industries
                          **Device Description:**
            CPSI side- impact enhancement for ET seriesl
                          **View PDF:**
            cc81.pdf (179.1 KB)
    
    August 30, 2002

HSA-10/CC81

Mr. Rodney A. Boyd
Trinity Highway Safety Products Division
Box 568887
Dallas, Texas 75356-9619

Dear Mr. Boyd:

In his June 5 letter to Mr. Richard Powers of my staff, Mr. Don Johnson requested Federal Highway Administration review and acceptance of a device named the Collision Performance Side Impact (CPSI) intended for use as a modification to energy-absorbing w-beam guardrail terminals like the ET-2000, specifically to improve its side impact performance. The CPSI is manufactured from 10-gauge steel with 6-mm interior "wings" as shown in Enclosure 1A. Enclosure 1B shows its installation on an ET-2000.

The CPSI was installed on the impact face of an ET-2000 and struck with an 820-kg car propelled sideways at 50 km/h. The impact point was at the driver's door. As shown on the enclosed test summary sheet (Enclosure 2), maximum passenger compartment intrusion was 104 mm, occupant impact velocity was 5.8 m/sec and the 10-millisecond ridedown accelerations were 7.1 g's. Approximately 1.7 m of w-beam was extruded in the crash. Although no baseline test was run on a standard ET-2000, side impact tests at the same speed have been conducted previously on flared terminals such as the BCT and the MELT, with significantly greater penetrations into the passenger compartment.

While the CPSI cannot be considered a safety device on its own, it will not likely degrade the performance of any approved energy-absorbing terminal to which it is attached and it can reduce the severity of certain types of impacts as demonstrated in the crash test. It is therefore acceptable for use as an add-on or retrofit to the ET-2000 and other types of energy-absorbing w-beam terminals at the discretion of the appropriate transportation authority and with the permission of the terminal manufacturer.

Sincerely yours,

(original signed by Carol H. Jacoby)

Carol H. Jacoby, P.E.
Director, Office of Safety Design

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