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-115
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-115
                          **Date:**
            08/12/2003
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            University of Florida
                          **Device Description:**
            FDOT Portable Concrete Curb @ TL-2
                          **View PDF:**
            b115.pdf (95.64 KB)
    
    **August 12, 2003**

**Subject:**INFORMATION:  Florida DOT Portable Concrete Curb

**Date:**  July 25, 2003**From:**

(original signed by A. George Ostensen)	A. George Ostensen 
	Associate Administrator for Safety
**In Reply Refer To:**
HSA-10/B-115**To:**
Mr. James St. John
Division Administrator (HDA-FL)
Tallahassee, FloridaIn your March 13 memorandum, you requested FHWA Headquarters review and acceptance of a portable concrete curb (also referred to as a temporary low profile barrier) developed by and tested for FDOT.  Included with your request was a copy of the University of Florida Structures Research Report No. 827-3, dated January 2003 and entitled "Temporary Low Profile Barrier for Roadside Safety: Phase II."  You subsequently requested that formal action be delayed pending clarification on the University of Florida's patent and licensing rights for this design, and development of an isometric drawing for inclusion on our safety hardware website.  Notification that the University of Florida has retained title to this device was provided April 28.  A drawing for inclusion on the safety hardware website, with appropriate University of Florida contact information included, was sent via e-mail to Mr. Richard Powers of my staff on August 5 and is attached to this memorandum.

The FDOT Portable Concrete Curb consists of reinforced concrete segments 3658-mm (12-feet) long, 457-mm (18-inches) high, and 686-mm (27-inches) wide at the base.  The traffic face is slightly battered with the toe of the curb 25 mm (1 inch) further from traffic than the top edge of the curb.  One end of each segment is vertical while the other end is beveled to allow placement along a roadway radius as small as 20 meters.  To resist shear, the beveled end of each segment contains a removable 44-mm diameter high strength steel stud that fits into a vertical steel channel cast into the vertical end of the adjacent segment.  On the backside, 32-mm diameter high strength threaded rods are bolted through gusseted steel angle irons cast into the curb to provide tensile strength at the connections. 




						
			 
The FDOT Portable Curb was tested at E-TECH Testing Services, Incorporated and the results summarized in that agency's September 2002 report entitled "NCHRP Report 350 Crash Test Results for the University of Florida Improved Portable Concrete Curb."  This report was incorporated into the above-referenced University of Florida report.  The NCHRP Report 350 tests 2-10 and 2-11 were successfully completed.  In both tests, the impacting vehicles struck a freestanding and unanchored 55-m long installation (15 segments) near its midpoint and were effectively contained and redirected.  All occupant impact and ride down acceleration values were significantly below Report 350 upper limits and in most cases, below preferred values as well.  Maximum deflections were reported to be 80 mm (3 inches) with the 820-kg car and 230 mm (9 inches) with the 2000-kg pickup truck.

Based on test results, the FDOT Portable Temporary Low Profile Barrier may be classified as an NCHRP Report 350 barrier at TL-2 and may be used on the NHS at locations where impact speeds of 70 km/h or less can be expected.  As noted in your memorandum, the blunt end of this design is not crashworthy.  Therefore, the Portable Curb should be introduced beyond the appropriate clear zone or appropriately shielded.  Since the University of Florida has a patent pending on this device, prospective users can obtain licensing and related information by contacting the University of Florida's Office of Technology Licensing at the address or telephone/fax numbers shown on the attached drawing.

Attachment 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