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                Safety Eligibility Letter CC-88A
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Barrier Terminals and Crash Cushions
                          **Code:**
            CC-88A
                          **Date:**
            06/01/2008
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            MWRSF
                          **Device Description:**
            SKT & FLEAT with wood posts
                          **View PDF:**
            cc88a.pdf (6.44 MB)
    
    HSSD/CC-88A

			**Download Version**PDF [6.44 MB]
DOT logo
U.S. Department of Transportation
**Federal Highway Administration**
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.
Washington, DC 20590June 1,2008
In Reply Refer To: HSSD/CC-88A

Dean Sicking, Ph.D.,  P.E.
Director, Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
527 Nebraska Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0529
	
Dear Dr. Sicking:

This is in response to your letter dated February 28, 2007, requesting  Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acceptance of the Sequential Kinking  Terminal (SKT) and the FLared Energy Absorbing Terminal (FLEAT) using wood  posts when connecting to the Midwest Guardrail System (MGS). FHWA Acceptance  Letter CC-88, dated March 8, 2005, accepted these combinations based on testing  with steel posts. You requested that we find these modified devices acceptable  for use on the National Highway System (NHS) under the provisions of National  Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 “Recommended Procedures  for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features.” We provided an informal opinion accepting  this device on March 15, 2007, and have been working with you to finalize the  drawings for this final acceptance package.

Introduction
The FHWA guidance on crash testing of roadside safety  hardware is contained in a memorandum dated July 25, 1997, titled “INFORMATION:  Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety Features.”
Two different anchor designs were used in the original MGS  testing, a two post, ground line strut design and a large single post with a soil  plate alternative. The upper parts of  these designs were identical and Test 3-34 was conducted on the FLEAT with both  anchor designs. Test FLEAT-5 used the  two post and strut alternative while test FLEAT -7 used the single post anchor  system. Videos, photos and reports on these tests were submitted with your  original request for approval. At your request we only included the double post  design in its approval letter.
Our original letter also indicated that both steel and wood post  options were acceptable but you did not provide a drawing of the wood post  option.

Findings
Based on prior testing discussed above we find the following  terminal designs as shown in the enclosed drawings acceptable for use on the  NHS under the range of conditions tested, when proposed by a State:
1) SKT terminal for the MGS, steel and wood post options.
	2) FLEAT terminal for the MGS, steel and wood post options.
	3) SKT with two post anchor with ground strut.
	4) FLEAT with two post anchors with ground strut.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 CC-88A 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 SKT and FLEAT w-beam guardrail terminals are  patented devices and considered "proprietary." The use of proprietary devices *specified by a highway agency* for use  on Federal-aid projects must meet one of the following criteria: (a) it must be supplied through competitive  bidding with equally suitable unpatented items; (b) the highway agency must  certify that it is essential for synchronization with existing highway  facilities or that no equally suitable alternative exists ;or (c) it 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.
	This Acceptance Letter shall not be construed as  authorization or consent by the FHWA to use, manufacture, or sell any patented  device for which the applicant is not the patent holder. The Acceptance Letter  is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate device, 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 David A. Nicol
		  David A. Nicol
		  	Director, Office of Safety Design
		Office of SafetyEnclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

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