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 SS-36A
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Sign Supports, Mailboxes, and Delineator Posts
                          **Code:**
            SS-36A
                          **Date:**
            04/22/2014
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Michigan DOT
                          **Device Description:**
            Breakaway Wood Sign Supports with Lag Screws
                          **View PDF:**
            ss36a.pdf (1.24 MB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter SS-36A

			**Download Version**PDF [1.38 MB]

			

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

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

April 22, 2014
In Reply Refer To: 
  HSST/SS-36A
Mr. Chris Brookes
  Work Zone Delivery Engineer 
  Michigan Department of Transportation
  P.O. Box 30050
  Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Mr. Brookes:
This letter is in response to your request for  the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to review a roadside safety system  for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program.
Name of system:
    Breakaway wood sign supports with lag screwsType of system:
    Ground mounted breakaway sign supportTest Level:
    NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3Testing conducted by:
    (Federal Outdoor Impact Laboratory)Task Force 13 Designator
    PDP20-24Date of  request:
    January 23, 2014Date of completed package::
    April 3, 2014**Decision**
  The following device is eligible, with details provided in  the form which is attached as an integral part of this letter:
Breakaway wood sign supports with lag screws in  lieu of through bolts.Based on a review of crash test results certifying the  device described herein meets the crash test and evaluation criteria of the  National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, the device is  eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. Eligibility for reimbursement under the  Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval or endorsement by the  FHWA for any particular purpose or use.
The FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United  States Government do not endorse products or services and the issuance of a  reimbursement eligibility letter is not an endorsement of any product or  service.
**Requirements**
To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, roadside  safety devices should meet the crash test and evaluation criteria contained in  the NCHRP Report 350 or the American Association of  State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Manual for Assessing Safety  Hardware (MASH).
**Description**
  The device and supporting documentation are described in  the attached form and “Lag Screw and Through Bolt Connections.”
**Summary and Standard Provisions**
  Therefore, the system described and detailed in the  attached form is eligible for reimbursement and may be installed under the  range of conditions tested.
Please note the following standard provisions that apply  to FHWA eligibility letters:
This letter provides a AASHTO/ARTBA/AGC Task  Force 13 designator that should be used for the purpose of the creation of a  new and/or the update of existing Task Force 13 drawing for posting on the  on-line "Guide to Standardized Highway Barrier Hardware’ currently referenced  in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide.
  This finding of eligibility does not cover other structural features of  the systems, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
  Any changes that may influence system  conformance with NCHRP Report 350 criteria will require a new reimbursement  eligibility letter.
  Should the FHWA discover that the qualification  testing was flawed, that in-service performance reveals safety problems, or  that the system is significantly different from the version that was crash  tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter.
  You are expected to supply potential users with  sufficient information on design and installation requirements to ensure proper  performance.
  You are expected to certify to potential users  that the hardware furnished has the same chemistry, mechanical properties, and  geometry as that submitted for review, and that it will meet the crash test and evaluation criteria of the NCHRP Report  350.
  To  prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as  number SS-36A 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  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 FHWA does not become  involved in issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, are to be  resolved by the applicant.Sincerely yours,
			Signature of Michael S. Griffith
			Michael S. Griffith
Director,  Office of Safety Technologies
              Office of SafetyEnclosures 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