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                Safety Eligibility Letter WZ-260
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Work Zone Devices
                          **Code:**
            WZ-260
                          **Date:**
            10/25/2007
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Remcon Plastics Inc.
                          **Device Description:**
            Addgards linkable barricade system
                          **View PDF:**
            wz260.pdf (1.65 MB)
    
    
Skip to contentSkip to contentUnited States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway AdministrationDOT logo
U.S. Department of Transportation
**Federal Highway Administration**
1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590October 25, 2007
**In Reply Refer To: HSSD/WZ-260**
Mr. Peter J. Connors
	President
	Remcon Plastics Inc.
	208 Chestnut Street
	Reading, PA  19602-1809

Dear Mr. Connors:

In your letter received September 2007 you requested the  Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) acceptance of your company’s AddGard  barricade system as a crashworthy traffic control device for use in work zones  on the National Highway System (NHS).  Accompanying your letter were a report from E-TECH Testing Services,  Inc. and a video of the crash test. You  requested that we find this barricade, with interchangeable signage, 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.”
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 “INFORMATION: Crash Tested Work Zone  Traffic Control Devices.” This later  memorandum lists devices that are acceptable under Categories I, II, and III.
The AddGard  barricade system uses interchangeable sign panels and depending on use  and system configuration it may be considered a Type I, Type II, Direction  Indicator, and a Longitudinal Channelizing type of barricade (LCB) when the  system links barricades together to create an enclosure or minimize openings  between barricades that interlock. The  individual barricades are injection molded High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)  plastic. Each barricade weighs  approximately 10 lbs (4.5 kg) and is 36 inches tall by 40 inches wide and 1.25  inches deep (914 by 1016 by 32 mm).
The AddGard barricade system was tested and evaluated using  NCHRP 350 Test 3-71 impact conditions of 62 mph (100 km/h) using the standard  820C small car. The test article  assembly consisted of two sets of four interlocking barricades in a complete  enclosure equipped with interchangeable sign panels, one LED warning light, and  one plastic ballast mat. The total mass  of the four barricades (40 pounds) with the interchangeable panels (1 pound),  light (3 pounds), and ballast (13 pounds) was 57 pounds (25.9 kg). Enclosed with this letter is the summary of  test results and a drawing that shows the barricade configuration tested. The AddGard was tested in both normal and  rotated (45 degrees) orientations since the configuration is symmetrical.
Upon impact the barricade system buckled and the plastic  AddGard panels landed flat against the hood and shattered. Debris was distributed into the air and  alongside the vehicle. The light  remained attached to the panel. Overall,  the test article damage was classified as not being repairable and risk to the  occupant compartment was minimal. There  was no damage to the windshield.
Based on the information  submitted we agree that the AddGard barricade system as described above meets  the appropriate evaluation criteria for NCHRP 350 Test Level 3 devices, and is  accepted for use on the NHS as a barricade categorized as a Type I, Type II,  Direction Indicator, and a LCB each with one light (not to exceed 3 pounds)  when selected by a contracting authority, subject to the provisions of Title  23, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 635.411 as they pertain to proprietary  devices.
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 anew acceptance letter.
  Should the FHWA discover that the qualification  testing was flawed, that in-serviceperformance 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-260, 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.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,
George E. Rice
George E. Rice, Jr.
Acting Director, Office of Safety Design
Office of SafetyEnclosure
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