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                Safety Eligibility Letter WZ-251
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Work Zone Devices
                          **Code:**
            WZ-251
                          **Date:**
            03/06/2007
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Barrierre QMB Canada Inc.
                          **Device Description:**
            Gate channelizer (plastic)
                          **View PDF:**
            wz251.pdf (823.48 KB)
    
    
Skip to contentSkip to contentUnited States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway AdministrationDOT logo
U.S. Department of Transportation
**Federal Highway Administration**
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C.  20590**March 6, 2007**


**Refer to: HSSD/WZ-251**

Mr. Marc-Andre Seguin
Vice President, Barriere QMB Canada Inc.	
4295 Boul St-Elzear Ouest
Laval, Quebec, H7P 4J3
Canada
Dear Mr. Seguin :
Thank you for your letter of October 31, 2006, requesting  the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acceptance of your company's QMBC  Gate channelizing system as a crashworthy traffic control device for use in  work zones and permanent installations on the National Highway System  (NHS). Accompanying your letter was a  report of the crash testing you conducted and video of the test. You requested that we find this device  acceptable for use on the NHS under the provisions of the 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 are those lightweight devices which are to be  self-certified by the vendor, Category II devices are other lightweight devices  which need individual crash testing but with reduced instrumentation, Category  III devices are barriers and other fixed or heavy devices also needing crash  testing with normal instrumentation, and Category IV devices are trailer  mounted lighted signs, arrow panels, etc. for which crash testing requirements  have not yet been established. The  second guidance memorandum was issued on August 28, 1998, and is titled "INFORMATION:  Crash Tested Work Zone Traffic Control Devices." This later memorandum lists devices that are acceptable under  Categories I, II, and III. Our new  acceptance process was outlined in our memorandum, "FHWA Hardware Acceptance  Procedures – Category 2 Work Zone Devices" dated November 11, 2005.
A brief description of the devices follows:
The QMBC Gate is a modular channelizer. It is designed to taper off or close lanes  remotely, using RF signals or cellular phone commands. Each independent module is activated by an  electrical actuator that pivots the Gate ninety degrees perpendicular to  traffic. When used in sequence, a required spacing of at least two Gate lengths is  recommended to separate the Gate bases.  Each plastic Gate is fabricated using two foot modular sections and an  optional one foot end section made of high density polyethylene. Assemblies may vary in length from 2 to 24  feet. A drawing of the Gate configurations is enclosed.
**Testing**
A full-scale automobile test was completed on your company's  device. The NCHRP Report 350  recommended high speed (62 mph) test, 3-71, was successfully conducted and the  summary of test results is enclosed.  All occupant risk criteria passed.
**Findings**
In summary, the QMBC Gate channelizer meets the appropriate  evaluation criteria and may be used at all appropriate locations on the NHS  when selected by the contracting authority, subject to the provisions of Title  23, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 635.411, as they pertain to  proprietary products.
Please note the following standard provisions that apply to  the 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 the FHWA and the NCHRP Report 350.
To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of  acceptance, designated as number WZ-251, shall not be reproduced  except in full. As this letter and the  documentation which support it become public information, it will be available  for inspection at our office by interested parties.Sincerely yours,
**/original signed by /**
John R. Baxter, P.E.
Director, Office of Safety Design
Office of Safety

Enclosures

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