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-107
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-107
                          **Date:**
            09/05/2003
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            ANRO Timber Products, Incorporated
                          **Device Description:**
            Recycled Plastic Blockout for TL-3 W-beam Guardian
                          **View PDF:**
            b107.pdf (28.44 KB)
    
    
September 5, 2003
HSA-10/B-107


Mr. Robert D. Slagter
President
ANRO Timber Products, Incorporated
7887 Ashwood Drive, SE 
Ada, Michigan 49301

Dear Mr. Slagter:

In your May 23 letter to Mr. Richard Powers of my staff, you requested the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) acceptance of a recycled plastic block, called the Anro block, for use with strong steel-post w-beam guardrail on the National Highway System (NHS). Subsequently, you had the Anro block tested at the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility and sent us a copy of that agency's report, "Performance Analysis of the Anro Timber Products Recycled Plastic Spacer Block", dated August 25, 2003. Based on comparison bogey vehicle tests of a standard wood block and the Anro block, both mounted on W150 x 13.5 steel posts, the report concluded that there was no substantial difference in performance between the two offset blocks. 

The Anro block is an injection-molded product composed of approximately 60 per cent recycled polyethylene (PE), 40 per cent polypropylene (PP), and a maximum of 2 per cent blowing agent. Each block is nominally 100-mm (4-inches) wide for 162 mm (6.38 inches), and then flares out to a post-side width of 150 mm (6 inches) over the last 41 mm (1.62 inches). A 108-mm x 10-mm (4.25-inch x 0.38-inch) routing on the backside fits over the steel post flange. The bolt hole dimensions are 0.875-inches in diameter at the rail side, tapering uniformly to a 0.742-inch diameter at the post side. These and other dimensions are shown on the enclosure. 

After reviewing the test results, I consider the Anro block acceptable for use with strong post w-beam barrier on the NHS when it conforms to the dimensions, and is composed of the same materials, as noted above and as shown in the enclosure. Please note that the following provisions apply to this acceptance: 

Any material or dimensional changes that may adversely influence the crashworthiness of the device will require a new acceptance letter.

This acceptance is based solely on the expected impact performance of the Anro block and is not intended to address the long-term performance or durability of the product. Furthermore, it shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the FHWA to use, 
manufacture, or sell any device that may be patented by others. 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 parties involved.

Should the FHWA discover that in-service performance reveals unacceptable safety problems, or that the device being marketed is significantly different from the version described herein, it reserves the right to modify or revoke its acceptance.

You will be expected to certify to potential users that the blocks you supply have essentially the same chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as noted above.

To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of acceptance, designated as number B-107 shall not be reproduced except in full. This letter, and the documentation upon which this letter is based, is public information. All such letters and documentation may be reviewed at our office upon request.

The Anro block may include patented components and, if so, is considered proprietary.  When 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 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.Sincerely yours,
(original signed by John R. Baxter)
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