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-54I
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Barrier Terminals and Crash Cushions
                          **Code:**
            CC-54I
                          **Date:**
            12/23/2011
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            EASI/Trinity
                          **Device Description:**
            TL-3 TRACC to Vulcan Bidirectional Transition
                          **View PDF:**
            cc54i.pdf (745.23 KB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter CC-54I



			 

			**Download Version**PDF [746 KB]

			

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

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

			December 23, 2011

			In Reply Refer To: HSST/CC-54I

			

	 Mr. Barry D. Stephens, P.E.
	   Sr. Vice President Engineering
	   Energy Absorption Systems
	   3617 Cincinnati Avenue
	   Rocklin, CA  95678
Dear Mr. Stephens:
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 device:

					TRACC to VULCAN Bi-directional TransitionType of device:

					Attenuator to barrier TransitionTest Level:

					NCHRP Report 350 TL-2 and TL-3Testing conducted by:

					N/A; By comparison to successfully crash tested QuadGuard to Vulcan Transition testing as previously conducted  by E-Tech Testing Services Inc.Date of request:
   December 18, 2010Date initially acknowledged:
   December 20, 2010Date of final package:
   October 17, 2011Task Force 13 Designator:
   SWM 18Based on a review of the analysis  submitted by the manufacturer certifying the device described herein meets the  crashworthiness 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.****
**Decision**
   The following device was found acceptable, with details  provided below:
 TRACC to VULCAN Bidirectional Transition**Requirements**
Roadside safety devices should  meet the guidelines contained in the National Cooperative Highway Research  Program Report 350 or the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware.  The FHWA Memorandum “*ACTION*:  Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety Features” of July 24, 1997, provides  further guidance on crash testing requirements of longitudinal barriers.
 **Description**
   The TRACC to Vulcan Bi-directional Transition (BT) is  designed to connect between an anchored TRACC system and downstream steel  Vulcan Barrier.  This transition is  necessary to prevent pocketing and/or snagging of vehicles impacting the Vulcan  Barrier immediately downstream from the rigid connection point.  The fabricated galvanized steel transition  measures 2.03 meters (6.6 feet) long x 0.8-meter (31.5 inches) high.  One end of the BT matches the profile of the  Vulcan Barrier while the other transitions smoothly to the shape of the TRACC  backup.  As with the previously tested  QuadGuard to Vulcan transition, there are no vehicle snag points.  The interface to the TRACC is designed to provide  support to the TRACC during head-on and angled impacts.  The proposed BT has the same structural  integrity as the QuadGuard to Vulcan Transition that was previously tested  successfully.
 **Crash Testing**
The  TL-3 QuadGuard to Vulcan transition was successfully crash tested as per NCHRP  Report 350 and accepted by the FHWA on November 17, 2005 (ref. HSA-10/B-134A).  The following table provides a comparison  commentary on results of this test and the submitted report of proposed TRACC  to VULCAN Bidirectional Transition.

   System
   Component
   No. ▲
    Proposed
   TRACC to VULCAN
   (Components)
    Successfully Crash Tested
   QUADGUARD to VULCAN
   (Components)
    Justification1
    Backup Diaphragm
    Backup Diaphragm
    See
   component
   comparison
   commentary
   below2
    Backup Support Post
    Backup Support Post3
    X-Brace Support
    X-Brace Support4
    Stiffener Plate
    Stiffener Plate5
    Attenuator Anchor
    Attenuator Anchor6
    Base Plate
    Base Plate7
    Transition Anchors
    Transition Anchors8
    Support Diaphragm
    Support Diaphragm▲ System drawing comparison of both proposed TRACC to VULCAN and  existing QUADGUARD to VULCAN is included in this correspondence as enclosure  "B".
 Component comparison commentary as follows:
 *Component 1*:
   The last diaphragm for the QuadGuard is integrated into  the QuadGuard backup. The last   diaphragm for the TRACC is integrated into the new  Transition. This keeps the last Fender
   Panels on both systems from moving laterally during side  impacts. It should be noted that the
   TRACC system previously passed NCHRP  Report 350 Test 3-39, a wrong-way impact test  at 20 degrees from a 2000 kg pickup truck. The new TRACC to Vulcan Transition  has no exposed vehicle snag points other then the attachment of the last TRACC  Fender Panels. Since the attachment of this last Panel is identical to what was  previously successfully tested, the transition can be expected to perform in a  similar manner to the crash-tested version under the wrong-way redirect impact  conditions.
 The crash test summary sheet of NCHRP Report 350 Test 3-39  is included in this correspondence as an enclosure.
 *Component 2*:
   The QuadGuard Backup consists of a large support post  which provides structural support for
   head-on and angled impacts. The original TRACC design did not  incorporate a similar structural support post, therefore to duplicate the same  rigidity characteristics as the QuadGuard, one was added into the proposed  TRACC transition.
 *Components  3&4*:*The  previously tested QuadGuard to Vulcan Transition mid-section incorporates a  short Quad-beam panel that requires backside reinforcement to resist collapse  during impacts. Reinforcement is achieved via lower x-brace supports and an  upper stiffener plate. A finite element analysis was conducted after testing to  calculate the total deformation. Based on the crash test data and the analysis  of crash video of the Test 3-21 a resultant force of 400,000N was placed on the  front half of the transition. A deformation structural analysis was performed  and the deformation values ranged from 8.14 millimeters (0.32 inches) to 9.86  millimeters (0.388 inches).*
 The  proposed TRACC Transition mid-section incorporates w-beam panels that also must  be reinforced to resist impact loads. Reinforcement is achieved via lower  x-bracing on both the upper and lower halves. A finite element analysis was  conducted to calculate the total deformation. Based on the Test 3-21 crash test  data of the Quadguard to Vulcan transition, an analysis of this crash using the  same resultant force of 400,000N was placed on the front half of the  transition. A deformation structural analysis was performed and the deformation  values ranged from 4.43millimeters (0.174 inches) to 6.56 millimeters (0.258  inches).
 *Components 5, 6 &7*:
   The QuadGuard and TRACC Transitions both require anchoring  to a rigid surface using the   same anchoring-bolt system. The number of anchors (12) and  moment arm (distance) from the   unit's centerline is the same. The only difference is that  the TRACC base plate was extended to allow enough space to integrate the  structural support post and the last diaphragm. Thus, the TRACC Transition can  be expected to perform the same as the tested and accepted QuadGuard  Transition.
 *Component 8*:
   The QuadGuard and the TRACC transitions are both designed  with an internal support
   diaphragm that supports mid transition impacts. In summary,  the structural integrity and anchoring of the new TRACC to Vulcan Transition is  equal-to or better-than the tested and accepted QuadGuard Transition.
 The system drawing of proposed TRACC to VULCAN Bidirectional  Transition is included in this correspondence as enclosure 'A'.
 **Findings**
   Based on the successfully crash tested TL-3 QuadGuard to  Vulcan transition and provided component comparison and commentary, the proposed  TRACC to VULCAN Bidirectional Transition as described in this request and  detailed in the enclosed drawings is eligible for reimbursement under the  federal-aid highway program under the range of conditions as previously  successfully crash tested TL-3 QuadGuard to Vulcan transition, when such use is  acceptable to a highway agency.
 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 is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the  systems 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 system will  require a new letter.
   Should  the FHWA discover that the qualification testing was flawed, that in-service  performance reveals unacceptable safety problems, or that the system being  marketed is significantly different from the version that was crash tested, we  reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter.
   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 review, and that it will meet the crashworthiness requirements of  the FHWA and the NCHRP Report 350.
   To  prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as  number CC-54I 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 finding of  eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate  system, and 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 applicant.Sincerely yours,
			 
			 */* Signature of Michael S. Griffith */*
			 
			 Michael S. GriffithDirector, Office of Safety TechnologiesOffice 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