U.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

of Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration 

May 9, 2014 In Reply Refer To: 

HSST/CC-1151 

Mr. Gregory A. Neece 

Trinity Highway Products, LLC 

2525 North Stemmons Freeway 

Dallas, Texas 75207 

Dear Mr. Neece: 

This correspondence is used in conjunction with existing eligibility letters HSST/CC-115D (TL3), CC-l 15E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1 ), all dated May 1, 2013 for the Soft-Stop Terminal, 

CC-115G (Modified Soft-Stop Head) dated September 5, 2013 and CC-115H (25' rail panels) 

dated September 23, 2013 and is in response to your request for additional system details for 

furthered consideration for Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) review of the as-described 

roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. 

Name of system: Trinity Soft-Stop Anchor Plate Modification 

Type of system: W-Beam Guardrail Terminal 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3), Test Level 2 (TL-2), Test Level 1 (TL-I) 

Testing conducted by: Texas Transportation Institute 

Task Force 13 Designator: SEW22 

Date of request: March 27, 2014 

Decision: 

The following device is eligible, with details provided in the form which is attached as an 

integral part of this letter. 

• Trinity Soft-Stop Anchor Plate Modification 

Based on a review of previous crash tests submitted by the manufacturer certifying the device 

described herein meets the crash test and evaluation criteria of the American Association of State 

Highway and Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), 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. 
2 

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. 

Requirements 

To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, roadside safety devices should meet the crash test 

and evaluation criteria contained in the American Association of State Highway and 

Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). 

Description 

The device and supporting documentation are described in the attached form. 

Summary and Standard Provisions 

Therefore, the system described and detailed in the attached form is eligible for reimbursement 

and may be installed under the range of conditions tested. 

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 ofthe 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 does not cover other structural features of the systems, 

nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

• 	 Any changes that may influence system conformance with MASH will require a 

new reimbursement eligibility letter. 

• 	 Should the FHWA discover that the qualification testing was flawed, that in-service 

performance reveals safety problems, or that the system is significantly different 

from the version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this 

letter. 

• 	 You are expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design 

and installation requirements to ensure proper performance. 

• 	 You are expected to certify to potential users that the hardware furnished has the 

same chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for review, 

and that it will meet the test and evaluation criteria of the MASH. 

• 	 To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as 

number CC-1151 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 FHWA does not become involved in issues concerning patent law. 

Patent issues, if any, are to be resolved by the applicant. 

• 	 The Trinity Soft-Stop© Terminal is a patented product and considered proprietary. 

If proprietary systems are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid 

projects: (a) they must be supplied through competitive bidding with equally 
3 

suitable unpatented items; (b) the highway agency must certify that they are 

essential for synchronization with the existing highway facilities or that no equally 

suitable alternative exists; or (c) they 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 63 5 .41 1. 

Sincerely yours, 

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 7.1 (10/13) 

Page 2 of 5 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursen1ent Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: March 27, 2014 ('New (9 Resubmission 

Name: OonG1'1>ne Signatu~- I 

-, ~- •L\: .. Company: 
 Trinity HghwayProducts, UC v (/ u

Address: 5216 Brassfield Dr. SE. Olympli, WA 98501 I 


~ Country: USA 


Mlc:Nel s. Grfffith, Director 
 To: FHWA, Offiee of safety Technologies 

I request the following devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid 

highway program. 

Test SystemType SUbmission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Level 

'CC': Crash Cushions, Atte'E) (9 Physic.al Crash Testing SOFT-STOP ANCHOR 

(' FEA& V&V Analysis PLATE MODIFICATION 

By submitting this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Highway Administration, I certify 

that the product(s) was (were) tested in conformity w ith the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety 

Hardware and that the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the MASH. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: Greg Neece Same as Submitter O 

Company Name: Trinity Highwl)' Pro<l.lcts, UC Sameas Submitt« 0 

AddlMS: 2525 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 Sameas Submitter 0 

Countiy: USA Sameas Submitter 0 
Version 7.1 (10/13) 

Page 1 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: March 27, 2014 ('New le Resubmission 

... 

QI 

t: ·e 

_g

:s 

~ 

Name: 

Company: 

Address: 

Country: 

Don Gripne Signature: 

Trinity Highway Products, LLC 

5216 Brassfield Dr. SE, Olympia, WA 98501 

USA 

To: Michael S. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

I request the following devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid 

highway program. 

Test System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Level 

AASHTOMASH TL3 'CC': Crash Cushions, le Physical Crash Testing SOFT-STOP ANCHOR 

Attenuators, & Terminals PLATE MODIFICATION (' FEA & V&V Analysis 

By submitting this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Highway Administration, I certify 

that the product(s) was (were) tested in conformity with the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety 

Hardware and that the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the MASH. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: Greg Neece Same as Submitter D 

Company Name: Trinity Highway Products, LLC Same as Submitter D 

Address: 2525 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 Same as Submitter D 

Country: USA Same as Submitter D 

Modification to Existing Hardware Non-Significant - Effect is positive or Inconsequential I 
Version 7.1 (10/13) 

Page 2 of 4 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

FHWA issued Eligible for Reimbursement letters CC-11 SD (TL-3), CC-11 SE (TL-2), and CC-11 SF (TL-1 ), all dated 

May 1, 2013 for the Soft-Stop Terminal, CC-11 SG (Modified Soft-Stop Head) dated September 5, 2013 and 

CC-11 SH (25' rail panels) dated September 23, 2013. The Anchor Plate that was used for these letters used a 

1 / 2" plate and a 1" threaded notched rod welded to the plate. 

A modification to The Anchor Plate is requested to aid installation, fabrication, and shipment. The proposed 

Anchor Plate increases the plate thickness to 5/8" (from 1 / 2") and notched the plate to accommodate a 1-1 / 2" 

square block, threaded for a 12 inch long, 1" diameter rod. The attached Trinity Drawing No. APC 1 dated 

November 25, 2013 shows the crash tested Anchor Plate and the proposed enhanced Anchor Plate with the 12 

inch long, 1" diameter anchor rod. The attached Trinity Drawing, SS646, dated December 14, 2012, shows the 

location of the Anchor Plate (Detail A). 

To validate that the proposed Anchor Paddle was equal (or better) in strength to the existing Anchor Paddle, 

the Texas A&M Tran sportation Institute (TII) Proving Ground conducted several static tests of the existing and 

the proposed Anchor Paddles. The results of the tests are documented in the Technical Memorandum for Test 

Report No. TM510602-SSM S1-S3 and S15-S17, dated March 26, 2014. The proposed Square Threaded Block, 

ASTM A 108 and Grade 1018, welded to a 5/8" thick steel Plate ASTM A572 Grade 50 provides the same or better 

results as the current version Anchor Plate with the welded 1" rod. This Technical Memorandum is on file with 

the form request. 

Additional, a change in the hole locations used to attach the Anchor Paddle to the Anchor Rail is supported by a 

letter dated December 9, 2013, from Dean Alberson, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TII). These hole 

location changes to the proposed Anchor Plate allows for a 1/ 2" installation tolerance. The letter indicates 

these hole changes will enhance the installation and the performance is not degraded. The letter confirming 

this change is included as an enclosure to this form. 

This request is for modified Anchor Plate eligibility for Reimbursement when used with the Soft-Stop systems 

per FHWA letters CC-11SD, CC-11 SE, CC-11 SF, CC-11 SG, and CC-11 SH. 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation Results 

Number Description 

Crash test results covered under FHWA LetterCC-115D (TL-3), 

CC-11 SE (TL-2), and CC­11 SF (TL-1 ) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-11 SG dated September 5, 2013, and CC­11 SH dated September 

3-30 (1 lOOC) 23, 2013. WAIVER REQUESTED 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

Crash test results covered under FHWA Letter CC-11 SD (TL-3), 

CC-11 SE (TL-2), and CC-11 SF (TL-1 ) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-11 SG dated September 5, 2013, and CC-11 SH dated September 

3-31 (2270P) 23, 2013. WAIVER REQUESTED 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 
Version 7.1 (10/13) 

Page 3 of 4 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description Evaluation Results 

3-32 (11 OOC) 

Crash test results covered under FHWA Letter CC-115D (TL-3), 

CC-115E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-115G dated September 5, 2013, and CC-115H dated September 

23, 2013. 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-33 (2270P) 

Crash test results covered under FHWA Letter CC-115D (TL-3), 

CC-11 5E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-115G dated September 5, 2013, and CC-115H dated September 

23, 2013. 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-34 (1100C) 

Crash test results covered under FHWA Letter CC-115D (TL-3), 

CC-115E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-115G dated September 5, 2013, and CC-115H dated September 

23, 2013. 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-35 (2270P) 

Crash test results covered under FHWA Letter CC-115D (TL-3), 

CC-115E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-115G dated September 5, 2013, and CC­ 115H dated September 

23, 2013. 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-36 (2270P) 

Crash test results covered under FHWA Letter CC-115D (TL-3), 

CC-115E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1 ) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-115G dated September 5, 2013, and CC-115H dated September 

23, 2013. 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-37 (2270P) 

Crash test results covered under FHWA LetterCC-11 5D (TL-3), 

CC-115E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-115G dated September 5, 2013, and CC-115H dated September 

23, 2013. 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-38 (1500A) 

Crash test results covered under FHWA Letter CC-115D (TL-3), 

CC-115E (TL-2), and CC-115F (TL-1) dated May 1, 2013, FHWA letter 

CC-115G dated September 5, 2013, and CC-115H dated September 

23, 2013. 

Proposed modification does not adversely effect this original 

baseline crash test and a wavier is recommended by Laboratory as 

indicated on this form. 

WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-40 (11 OOC) NI A 

3-41 (2270P) NI A 

3-42 (11 OOC) NIA 

3-43 (2270P) NIA 
Version 7.1 (10/13) 

Page 4 of 4 

CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

3-44 (2270P) 

3-45 (1500A) 

Full Scale Crash Testing was done in compliance with MASH by the following accredited crash test 

laboratory (cite the laboratory's accreditation status as noted in the crash test reports.): 

Laboratory Name: Texas Transportation Institute 

Laboratory Contact: Dean Alberson, PhD, P.E. 

Address: Texas A&M Transportation Institute 

Country: USA 

Accreditation Certificate ISO 17025-2005; A2LA Certificate 2821 .01 Number and Date: 

Same as Submitter D 

Same as Submitter D 

Same as Submitter D 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 

1) A copy of the full test report, video, and a Test Data Summary Sheet for each test conducted in 

support of this request. 

2) A drawing or drawings of the device(s) that conform to the Task Force-13 Drawing Specifications 

[Hardware Guide Drawing Standards). For proprietary products, a single isometric line drawing is 

usually acceptable to illustrate the product, with detailed specifications, intended use, and contact 

information provided on the reverse. Additional drawings (not in TF-13 format) showing details that 

are key to understanding the performance of the device should also be submitted to facilitate our 

review. 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter 

Number Date 

CC-1151 April 21 , 2014 

AASHTO TF13 

Designator Key Words 

SEW22 Soft Stop anchor plate modification, MASH TL3, 
PL 3· X 5/8" X 15" {A572 GR 50) 

1'11TH 7 / 8"e HOLES 

TYP >-- ~~ 

-ON

-I -e-- ----­

1· 1 • 1r\ 8 2 

----------

---~. · I 

I 1/2" SQUARE x 3· IH~EA ED COUPLING 

THREAD TO ACCEPT 1 • DIAMETER "HREADEO ROD 

PROPOSED ANCHOR PLATE 

PL 3· X 1/2" X 15" (A36) 

\\\ TH 7 /8"e HOLES c-t-~~~-< TYP 

l_~~--'- ~~ -t-~~ 

' •' 

THREADED STUD I" DIA x 1'-3" 

: : BT 11m1!11m11 111111111111111111rn11m1111111m111111mmm~mm111m11rn11111m1m1111m11m 1 TRIN TY SoftStop TERMINA_ 

ANCHOR PLAE COMPARISON 

ANCHOR PLATE TRINITY HGHWAY PROOUC'TS, LlC.

PER TTI DEfA"il&°CC- 115 252S SiOIWOt.s f"MUAYDAU.AS. TX 7S207 

. 
Texas A&M Transportation Institute 

3135 TAMU 

College Station, TX 77843-3135 

979-845-6375 

Fax: 979-845-6107 -------- Proving Ground http://tti.tamu.edu 

TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 

Contract No.: P2013207 and P2013361 


Test Report No.: TM510602-SSM Sl-S3 and S15-Sl 7 


Project Name: Static Testing of SoftStop©Anchor 


Sponsor: Trinity Highway Products LLC 


DATE: 	 November 18, 2013 

TO: 	 Greg Neece 


Trinity Highway Products LLC 


COPY TO: 	 Epifania Davila, TTI RDO 

D. L. Bullard, Jr., Head, TTI Roadside Safety & Physical Security Systems 

Rebecca Heck, TTI Roadside Safety & Physical Security Systems 

FROM: 	 Dean C. Alberson, Ph.D., P.E., Research Engineer, Texas A&M 

Transportation Institute 

Wanda L. Menges, Research Spec ialist, TTI Prov ing Ground 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 


Name: Dean C. Alberson 


Phone: 979-458-3874 


Email : d-albe rson@tamu.edu 


SUMMARY REPORT: 

DISCLAIMER 

The contents ofthis report reflect the views ofthe authors who are solely responsible for 

the facts and accuracy ofthe data, findings and conclusions presented herein. The contents do 

not necessarily refl ect the officia l views or polic ies ofTrinity Highway Prod ucts LLC, The 

Texas A&M Uni versity System, or Texas A&M Transportation Institute. T his repo rt does not 

constitute a standard, spec ificatio n, or reg ulation. In add ition, the above listed agenc ies assume 

no liability for its contents or use thereof. The names of spec ific products or manufacture rs 

listed herein do not imply endorsement of those products or manufacturers. The results reported 

herein apply only to the article being tested. The test was performed according to TTI Proving 

Ground quality procedures and according to Quality System Procedure (QSP) 5.4.22. 

INTRODUCTION 

The objecti ve of the static tests described herein was to document the performance of the 

original Trinity SoftStop11. Anchor compared to vario us design modificatio ns intended to simplify 

fabrication, shipping and installation. The modified designs were evaluated to assess their ability 

I

TTI Proving Ground 

.J\ 6etterjo6 c[one safer amlsooner. 3100 SH 47, Bldg. 7091 

Bryan, TX 77807 
Test S 15 Test Sl6 Test S 17 

Figure 3. Failure Modes for Static Tests 510602-S 15-S 17. 

Soft Stop Anchor Plate 

80,000 

50,000 <------+-­-

- Trinity 5/8-lnch Plate with Coupler -517 

- Trinity 1/2-lnch Plate with Welded Stud - 52 

«l,000 - ' -­ - rn 1/2-lnch Plate with Welded Stud - Sl 

30,000 +---+---+----+-----+l'f---+'-.,--i---+-----+­

20,000 -­

[ 21 41 61 81 101 121 141 161 181 

Figure 4. Data from Static Tests SI, S2, and S 17. 

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 

The original Vi-inch thick anchor plate and welded rod had an ultimate load of 

approximately 80 kips at failure. Any of the I '12-inch threaded couplers used in conjunction with 

%-inch plate and 3

i4-inch ASTM A 193 87 threaded rod generated approximately the same peak 

loads and would be acceptable substitutes for the original anchor plate and welded rod. The 

graph for this information is shown below. 

TM 510602-SSM S 1-S 14 Page 4 of 11 2013-11-18 
Texas A&M Transportation Institute 

The Texas A&M University System 

3135 TAMU 

College Station, TX 77843-3135 

979-845-6375 

Fax: 979-845-6107 

http://tti.tamu.edu 

December 9, 2013 

Mr. Gregory A. Neece 

Trinity Highway Products, LLC 

2525 Stemmons Freeway 

Dallas, TX 75207 

RE: Proposed Changes to Soft Stop Anchor Paddle 

Dear Mr. Neece: 

Our Construction Section identified a low tolerance issue on the recently tested (static) 

Soft Stop Anchor Paddle (TTl5 I 0602-SSM S l-S3 and S 15-17) Contract #'s P2013207 and 

P20 I 3361. The coupler is embedded 2.5 inches into the 5/8 inch plate where the original welded 

stud was only embedded 2.0 inches. When thew-beam is attached to the Soft Stop Anchor 

Paddle, the clearance between the end of thew-beam plate sections and the back of the coupler is 

almost zero. By increasing the distance between the back ofthe coupler and hole in the 5/8 inch 

plate to 2.5 inches, this tolerance is made acceptable. This moves the bottom hole closer to the 

end ofthe Anchor Paddle Plate, however, this hole is the non-critical connection point. The 

upper hole must fail in conjunction with this hole for thew-beam to release from the Anchor 

Plate. Therefore we submit the attached drawing for your consideration as installation is 

enhanced and performance is not degraded. 

If you have any questions or if I can be ofany assistance to you please do not hesitate to 

call me at (979) 458-3874 or e-mail d-alberson@tamu.edu. 

Sincerely, 

Dean C. Alberson 

Research Engineer 

Assistant Agency Director 

I

Roadside Safety & 

Physical Security Division 
Statically Tested Version 

Ref: Tests 510602/SSM S1-S3 and S15 - S17 

15" 

12-1/2" 

I---+--!- 10-1 /2" 

2" 

O" 

Proposed Version for Production 

Statically tested version has 

no 1nstallat1on tolerance. 

Roadside Safety and Physical 

Security Division Proving Ground 

Plate, 3" x 518" Project 690900-0SS Optimized Soft Stop 

ASTM A572 Gr. 50 Drawn By GES Scale 1 30 Sheet 1 of 1 Paddle Versions Both Versions 


Approved 
 Date 

Engineer Name 2013-12-09 

­