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                Safety Eligibility Letter WZ-131
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Work Zone Devices
                          **Code:**
            WZ-131
                          **Date:**
            09/16/2002
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Sonoblaster
                          **Device Description:**
            Intrusion Detector
                          **View PDF:**
            wz131.pdf (967.03 KB)
    
    
Refer 
  to: HSA-10/WZ-131
Mr. Brian A. Brown
  Paedia 
  499 Carolina Street
  San Francisco, California  94107
Dear Mr. Brown
Thank you for your letter of June 20, 
  2002, requesting Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acceptance of the SonoBlaster 
  work zone intrusion alarm as a crashworthy 
  traffic control device for use on the National Highway System (NHS).  Accompanying 
  your letter was a report of crash testing conducted by the California Department 
  of Transportation and a CD-ROM disc with a video of the tests.  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.”
Introduction
The FHWA guidance on crash testing of 
  work zone traffic control devices is contained in two memoranda.  The first, 
  dated July 25, 1997, titled "INFORMATION: Identifying Acceptable Highway 
  Safety Features”, established four categories of work zone devices: Category 
  I devices were those lightweight devices which could be
self-certified by the vendor, Category 
  II devices were other lightweight devices which needed individual crash testing, 
  Category III devices were barriers and other fixed or massive devices also needing 
  crash testing, and Category IV devices were trailer mounted lighted signs, arrow 
  panels, etc.  The second guidance memorandum was issued on August 28, 1998, 
  and is titled AINFORMATION: 
  Crash Tested Work Zone Traffic Control Devices.”  This later memorandum lists 
  devices that are acceptable under Categories I, II, and III.
The SonoBlaster Work Zone Intrusion Alarm 
  is portable safety alarm designed to be attached to cones, drums, or other channelizing 
  devices to provide an audible warning to personnel in work zones. Weighing approximately 
  4 pounds, the lightweight unit is powered by CO2cartridges and is 
  activated by shock, impact, or tilt.
Testing
Because of the unique nature of the SonoBlaster 
  you contacted us to discuss what testing would demonstrate the crashworthiness 
  of the device.  As it is an attachment to be used with cones or drums, it is 
  considered to be a Category II work zone traffic control device eligible for 
  reduced testing/reporting procedures than those normally required by NCHRP Report 
  350.  Due to the very small mass and the low placement of the device, we agreed 
  that informal testing with any vehicle would be sufficient to demonstrate what 
  effect the SonoBlaster attachment would have.  A cone was chosen as the "worst 
  case scenario” for this testing.
Two live-driver tests were run, each 
  using a 28-inch tall traffic cone with the SonoBlaster attached.  A Ford Excursion 
  impacted the device at 45 mph and 60 mph.  In both cases the device rolled underneath 
  the vehicle.  The cone and SonoBlaster caused no damage to the vehicle and showed 
  no potential for occupant compartment intrusion.  The vehicle's velocity was 
  also unaffected.
Findings
The results of the testing met the FHWA 
  requirements and, therefore, the SonoBlaster described above and shown in the 
  enclosed drawings for reference are acceptable for use on the NHS under the 
  range of conditions tested, when proposed by a State.
We consider the SonoBlaster to be acceptable 
  when attached to the base of  conventional traffic cones, plastic drums, or 
  large base road tubes or delineators (i.e., the "Navigator®" manufactured 
  by Plastic Safety Systems).
Please note the following standard provisions 
  that apply to FHWA letters of acceptance:
Our acceptance is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the 
    devices 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 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 FHWA and NCHRP Report 350.
  To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of acceptance, designated 
    as number WZ-131 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 SonoBlaster is a patented product and is considered "proprietary."   
    The use of proprietary work zone traffic control devices in Federal-aid projects 
    is generally of a temporary nature.  They are selected by the contractor for 
    use as needed and removed upon completion of the project.  Under such conditions 
    they can be presumed to meet requirement "a" given below for the 
    use of proprietary products on Federal-aid projects.  On the other hand, if 
    proprietary devices are specified 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,
Carol H. Jacoby, P.E.
Director, Office of Safety Design U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
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