U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Highway 

Administration 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

April 1, 2020 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1/WZ-388 

Mr. Eric Willetts 

MDI Worldwide 

38271 W. Twelve Mile Road 

Farmington Hills, MI 48331 

Dear Mr. Willetts: 

This letter is in response to your August 5, 2019 request for the Federal Highway Administration 

(FHWA) to review a roadside safety device, hardware, or system for eligibility for 

reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. This FHWA letter of eligibility is 

assigned FHWA control number WZ-388 and is valid until a subsequent letter is issued by 

FHWA that expressly references this device. 

Decision 

The following device is eligible within the length-of-need, with details provided in the form 

which is attached as an integral part of this letter: 

• 5012M-SS Temporary Sign Support 

Scope of this Letter 

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

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

Transportation Officials’(AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). 

However, the FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United States Government do 

not regulate the manufacture of roadside safety devices. Eligibility for reimbursement under the 

Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval, certification or endorsement of the 

device for any particular purpose or use. 

This letter is not a determination by the FHWA, the Department of Transportation, or the United 

States Government that a vehicle crash involving the device will result in any particular 

outcome, nor is it a guarantee of the in-service performance of this device. Proper 

manufacturing, installation, and maintenance are required in order for this device to function as 

tested. 

This finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness of the system and does not cover other 

structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 
 

 

2 

Eligibility for Reimbursement 

Based solely on a review of crash test results and certifications submitted by the manufacturer, 

and the crash test laboratory, FHWA agrees that the device described herein meets the crash test 

and evaluation criteria of the AASHTO’s MASH. Therefore, the device is eligible for 

reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program if installed under the range of tested 

conditions. 

Name of system: 5012M-SS Temporary Sign Support 

Type of system: Work Zone 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 3 (TL3) 

Testing conducted by: KARCO 

Date of request: August 5, 2019 

FHWA concurs with the recommendation of the accredited crash testing laboratory on the 

attached form 

Full Description of the Eligible Device 

The device and supporting documentation, including reports of the crash tests or other testing 

done, videos of any crash testing, and/or drawings of the device, are described in the attached 

form. 

Notice 

This eligibility letter is issued for the subject device as tested. Modifications made to the device 

are not covered by this letter. Any modifications to this device should be submitted to the user 

(i.e., state DOT) as per their requirements. 

You are expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design, installation and 

maintenance 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 AASHTO’s MASH. 

Issuance of this letter does not convey property rights of any sort or any exclusive privilege. This 

letter is based on the premise that information and reports submitted by you are accurate and 

correct. We reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter if: (1) there are any inaccuracies in 

the information submitted in support of your request for this letter, (2) the qualification testing 

was flawed, (3) in-service performance or other information reveals safety problems, (4) the 

system is significantly different from the version that was crash tested, or (5) any other 

information indicates that the letter was issued in error or otherwise does not reflect full and 

complete information about the crashworthiness of the system. 
3 

Standard Provisions 

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

control number WZ-388 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 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. 

• This FHWA eligibility letter is not an expression of any Agency view, position, or 

determination ofvalidity, scope, or ownership of any intellectual property rights to a 

specific device or design. Further, this letter does not impute any distribution or licensing 

rights to the requester. This FHWA eligibility letter determination is made based solely 

on the crash-testing information submitted by the requester. The FHWA reserves the 

right to review and revoke an earlier eligibility determination after receipt ofsubsequent 

information related to crash testing. 

Sincerely, 

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office ofSafety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
 

 

SystemType SubmissionType DeviceName / Variant TestingCriterion Test 

Level 

'WZ':CrashWorthyWorkZon 

Physical CrashTesting 

Engineering Analysis 5012M-SS 

AASHTOMASH TL3 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility

of Highway Safety Hardware 

Submitter Date of Request: August 05,2019 New Resubmission 

Name: StevenMatsusaka 

Company: ApplusIDIADAKARCOEngineering,LLC. 

Address: 9270HollyRd,Adelanto,CA92301 

Country: 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. 

Device&TestingCriterion-Enter from right to left starting with TestLevel ! -! - ! ! -! -! 

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. 

Individual or Organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: EricWilletts SameasSubmitter 

CompanyName: MDIWorldwide SameasSubmitter 

Address: 38271W.Twelve MileRoad,FarmingtonHills,MI 48331 SameasSubmitter 

Country: USA SameasSubmitter 

Enter below all disclosures of financial interests as required by the FHWA `Federal-Aid Reimbursement 

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document. 

MarketingDisplays, Inc.,doing businessasMDIWorldwide (“MDI”), whoseprincipal placeof businessis38271 

WestTwelve MileRoad,FarmingtonHills,Michigan 48331-3041,and ApplusIDIADAKarcoEngineering,LLC., 

whoseprincipal placeof businessis9270HollyRoad,Adelanto,CA92301shareno ($0.00) financial interests 

between the two organizations. Thisincludes no ($0.00) financial interest but not limited to: 

i.Compensation,including wages,salaries,commissions,professional fees,or feesfor businessreferrals(dollar 

valuesare notneeded); 

ii. Consulting relationships; 

iii. Researchfunding or other formsof researchsupport; 

iv. Patents,copyrights, and other intellectual property interests; 

v. Licensesor contractual relationships;or 

vi. Businessownership and investment interest. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

New Hardware or Modification to 

Significant Modification ExistingHardware 

TheMDIWorldwide5012M-SSsignstand isawork-zone trafficcontrol device.Theas-testeddeviceconsisted 

of one(1)48.0in.(1.2m)squarevinyl roll upsign,one(1)fiberglasscrossbrace,and one(1)baseassembly.The 

as-tested device weighed 28.0lbs(12.7kg).Thedevice hadaheight of 80.0in.(2.0m)measured to the top of 

thesign.The5012M-SSsignstand was testedwith four(4)sandbags. 

Thesquareroll-up sign wasattached to afiberglasscrossbraceandwasset at amounting height of 12.0in. 

(305mm)to thebottom corner.The1.25in.(32mm)wide by0.2in.(5mm)thickcrossbraceextended to each 

corner of theroll upsign.Thesign wasattached to thebasewith screw lock bracket. 

The base assembly consisted of ascrew lock bracket, asteel base and four telescoping legs. The screw lock 

bracket wasattached to the base plate with a carbon steel spring assembly. The legs consisted of two (2) 

portions: one(1)1.25in.(32 mm)steel squaretubepieceand one(1)1.0in.(25mm)steelsquaretubepiece.In 

itsdeployed state, the baseassemblyhadafootprint measuring52.0in.(1.3m)by68.0in.(1.7m). 

CRASH TESTING 

Bysignaturebelow, theEngineeraffiliated with the testing laboratory, agreesin support of thissubmission that 

all of the critical and relevant crash tests for this device listed above were conducted to meet the MASH test 

criteria. The Engineer has determined that no other crash testsare necessary to determine the device meets 

theMASH criteria. 

Engineer Name: StevenMatsusaka 

EngineerSignature: 

Address: 9270HollyRd,Adelanto,CA92301 SameasSubmitter 

Country: USA SameasSubmitter 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: Help 

Steven Matsusaka DigitallysignedbyStevenMatsusaka 

DN: cn=StevenMatsusaka,email=steven.matsusaka@idiada.com,c=US 

Date:2019.08.0518:55:14-07'00' 

RequiredTest 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

3-70(1100C) 

Designed to evaluate theability of asmall 

vehicle to activateany breakaway, fracture, 

or yielding mechanism. Is considered 

optional for work-zone traffic control 

devicesweighing lessthan 220 lb (100kg). 

Non-Relevant Test,not conducted 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RequiredTest 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

3-71(1100C) 

ApplusIDIADAKARCOtest number 

P38061-01.An 1100Ctest vehicle impacting 

two (2) work zone device in one test runat a 

nominal speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). The 

first device was oriented at an angle of 0° 

and the second device was oriented at an 

angle of 90°. The vehicle impacted the first 

andsecond deviceat aspeed of 60.15mph 

and 59.53mph,respectively.Thescrew lock 

bracket on both devicesallowed thesign to 

release. Upon release both signs impacted 

the vehicles windshield, the impact did not 

tear the plastic liner or cause excessive 

deformation. The occupant compartment 

was not penetrated and the deformation 

limits were not exceeded. The devices did 

not induce any vehicle instability. The 

5012M-SS met all the requirements for 

MASH Test3-71. 

PASS 

3-72(2270P) 

ApplusIDIADAKARCOtest number 

P38061-02.A2270Ptest vehicle impacting 

two (2) workzone device in one test runat a 

nominal speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). The 

first device was oriented at an angle of 0° 

and the second device was oriented at an 

angle of 90°. The vehicle impacted the first 

deviceat aspeed of 63.90mph.Thevehicle 

made first contact with the screw lock 

bracket and the sign was released. The 

vehicle impacted the second device at a 

speed of 61.98 mph. The fiberglass cross 

bracefirst contacted thevehicle'shoodand 

caused the basespring to beactivated.The 

spring assembly separated from the base 

assembly.Thewindshield and roof were not 

contacted by either device. The occupant 

compartment was not penetrated and the 

deformation limits were not exceeded.The 

5012M-SS met all the requirements for 

MASH Test3-72. 

PASS 

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.): 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Laboratory Name: ApplusIDIADAKARCOEngineering,LLC.

LaboratorySignature: Steven Matsusaka DN:cn=StevenMatsusaka, email=steven.matsusaka@idiada.com,c=US DigitallysignedbyStevenMatsusaka

Date:2019.08.0518:56:30-07'00' 

Address: 9270HollyRd,Adelanto,CA92301 SameasSubmitter

Country: USA SameasSubmitter

Accreditation Certificate

Number and Dates of current

Accreditation period : 

TL-371:July1,2019 -July 1,2022

Digitallysigned bySteven Matsusaka 

ema 

DN: cn=Steven Matsusaka, SubmitterSignature*:Steven il=steven.matsusaka@idiada.com, c=US Matsusaka Date: 2019.08.05 18:56:46 -07'00' 

Submit Form 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 

1) Additional disclosures of related financial interest as indicated above. 

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

support of this request. 

3) 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 relevant to understanding the dimensions and performance of the device should also be submitted 

to facilitate our review. 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter

Number Date Key Words 
 

 

 

 

 
 

GENERAL INFORMATION Impact Conditions Occupant Risk

Test Agency..................................... IDIADA KARCO Engineering Impact Velocity Device 1........................... 63.90 mph (102.84 km/h) Longitudinal OIV............................... N/A*

KARCO Test No.................................. P38061-02 Impact Velocity Device 2............................. 61.98 mph (99.75 km/h) Lateral OIV.................................... N/A*

Test Designation.............................. 3-72 Device 1 Angle................................... 0° Longitudinal RA...........................N/A*

Test Date........................................ 6/20/18 Device 2 Angle................................. 90° Lateral RA.................................N/A*

Device 1 Kinetic Energy............................... 684.2 kip-ft (927.6 kJ) THIV.............................................. N/A*

TEST ARTICLE Device 2 Kinetic Energy.......................... 643.7 kip-ft (872.7 kJ) PHD......................................... N/A*

Name / Model........................................ 5012M-SS ASI.............................................. N/A*

Type....................................................... Work Zone Device Exit Conditions

Device Height .................................... 6.7 ft. (2.0 m) Device 1 Exit Velocity.................... 62.3 mph (100.2 km/h) Test Article Deflections

Key Elements....................................... Roll-up, Cross Brace Device 2 Exit Velocity..................... 60.8 mph (97.9 km/h) Debris Field (longitudinal) .......182.3 ft. (55.6 m)

Road Surface.................................... Concrete Vehicle Resting Position.................... 319.8 ft. (97.5 m) Downstream Debris Field (lateral)......... 14.2 ft. (4.3 m)

0.9 ft. (0.3 m) Right

TEST VEHICLE Vehicle Stability ..................................... Satisfactory

Type / Designation................................ 2270P Maximum Roll Angle................................. N/A* Vehicle Damage

Year, Make, and Model.................................. 2013 RAM 1500 Maximum Pitch Angle............. N/A* Vehicle Damage Scale................... 12-FD-0

Curb Mass.............................................. 4,994.5 lbs (2,265.5 kg) Maximum Yaw Angle............N/A* CDC............................................. 12FDEN0

Test Inertial Mass.................................. 5,012.1 lbs (2,273.5 kg) Maximum Intrusion............................. None

Gross Static Mass................................ 5,012.1 lbs (2,273.5 kg) * Not Applicable, device weighs less than 220 lbs (100 kg)