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

of Transportation Washington , D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration July 6, 20 17 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1/ B-281 

Mr. Ben Powell 

Powell Contracting Limited 

180 Ram Forest Road 

Stouffville, Ontario, L4A 2G8 

Canada 

Dear Mr. Powell: 

This letter is in response to your November 30, 2016 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 FHW A letter of eligibility is 

assigned FHW A control number B-281 and is valid until a subsequent letter is issued by FHW A 

that expressly references this device. 

Decision 

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

integral part of this letter: 

• Metal Transition for Branching Concrete Barrier 

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 American Association of State Highway and Transportation 

Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (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: Metal Transition for Branching Concrete Barrier 

Type of system: Longitudinal Barrier - Transition 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 3 

Testing conducted by: Texas A&M Transportation Institute 

Date ofrequest: November 30, 2016 

Date of completed package: April 20, 2017 

FHWA concurs with the recommendation of the accredited crash testing laboratory as stated 

within 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 and will need to be tested in accordance with all recommended tests 

in AASHTO' s MASH as part of a new and separate submittal. 

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 FHW A 

control number B-281 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 FHW A to use, 

manufacture, or sell any patented system for which the applicant is not the patent holder. 

• 	 Ifthe subject device is a patented product it may be considered to be 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 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 635.411. 

Robert Ritter 

Acting Director, Office of Safety 

Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 1 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 


of Highway Safety Hardware 


Date of Request: November 30, 2016 I le' New ('Resubmission 

Name: Ben Powell 

... 

Q.I 

:t:: ·e 

.D 

::i 

V'I 

Company: 

Address: 

Country: 

Powell Contracting Limited 

180 Ram Forest Road, Stouffville, Ontario, L4A 2G8 

Canada 

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 & Testing Criterion - Enter from right to left starting with Test Level 11- ! -'I 

System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'B': Rigid/Semi-Rigid Barriers r. Physical Crash Testing Metal Transition for AASHTOMASH TL3 

(Roadside, Median, Bridge 

Railinqs) ('Engineering Analysis Branching Concrete 

Barrier 

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: Ben Powell Same as Submitter [8J 

Company Name: Powell Contracting Limited Same as Submitter [8J 

Address: 180 Ram Forest Road, Stouffville, Ontario, L4A 2G8 Same as Submitter [8J 

Country: Canada Same as Submitter [8J 

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


Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document. 


Texas A&M Transportation Institute was contracted by Powell Contracting Ltd. to assist with the design and 


performance of full-scale crash testing of the metal transition for branching concrete barrier. TTI staff received 


compensation in the form of wages and/or salaries for the completion of the work under this contract. 


Furthermore, Powell Contracting Ltd. is currently pursuing a patent for the transition and one of the TTI 


engineers is going to be a named coinventor, which may result in financial benefits to the engineer, TTI, and the 


Texas A&M University System. 

Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 2 of 4 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

(e' New Hardware or 

• Significant Modification 

(' Modification to 

Existing Hardware 

This eligibility request is for a steel transition barrier section that connects a temporary concrete barrier to a 

permanent concrete barrier, such that the temporary barrier branches off from the permanent barrier and 

forms a row of temporary barrier installed parallel to the permanent barrier. 

The test installation consisted of a series of pre-cast permanent concrete median barriers (CMBs), transitional 

temporary concrete barriers (TCBs), and offset TCBs positioned to allow for the installation of a portable 

variable message sign (PVMS) and its support structure. A steel transition barrier section provided the 

connection between the permanent pre-cast CMBs and the offset TCBs. The total length of the installed 

system was 60 m. The installation was constructed on an approximately 3350 mm wide x 75 mm thick hot mix 

asphalt concrete. 

The permanent median barrier was a keyed-in 1125 mm tall New Jersey (NJ) Tall Wall barrier. The transitional 

TCBs were pinned down F-shape concrete barrier segments with cross-bolted connections. These transitional 

TCBs were connected to the permanent NJ Tall Wall barrier using a fabricated steel transition attachment that 

was 10895 mm long x 802 mm tall. It provided a smooth transition between the permanent CMBs and the first 

transitional TCB. The traffic side face of the transition was a smooth panel that conformed to the profile of the 

concrete barriers. This panel was reinforced with four HSS tubes and lateral supports. 

CRASH TESTING 

By signature below, the Engineer affiliated with the testing laboratory, agrees in support of this submission 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 tests are necessary to determine the device meets 

the MASH criteria. 

Engineer Name: Roger P. Bligh, P. E. 

Olgi..My 5igned by ..igh. ­ p 

Engineer Signature: Bligh, Roger P ON: posblCode-77843,0;TAMl1-SlGN. rtttoetmTOls AIM Unl'wnfly, st• fX. bC:olh!gf!' S1.1Uon. <"'US, en- Bligh. Rog~ P, Hnall-:.-rbttg~tamu .ctu 

0..1..-1016.11 30 16•14 48-06'00' 

Address: TII, TAMUS MS 3135, College Station, TX 77843-3135 Same as Submitter 0 

Country: USA Same as Submitter 0 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation 

Number Description Results 

3-10 (1100() Device is a transition. LON test not relevant. Non-Relevant Test. not conducted 

3-11 (2270P) Device is a transition. LON test not relevant. Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 
Required Test Narrative 
 Evaluation 

Number Description 
 Results 

Test No. 690902-PCL2 

Performed May 31, 2016 

A 2010 Kia Rio, traveling at an impact speed 

of 100.4 km/h, contacted the steel transition 

at an impact angle of 25.1 degrees 

measured to the permanent barriers. The 

steel transition contained and redirected 

the 11 OOC vehicle. The vehicle did not 

penetrate, underride, or override the 

installation. Maximum dynamic deflection 

during the test was 30 mm at the top of the 

3-20 (1100() barrier. No detached elements, fragments, PASS 

or other debris were present to penetrate or 

show potential for penetrating the 

occupant compartment or to present 

hazard to others in the area. Maximum 

occupant compartment deformation was 76 

mm in the left front firewall and floor pan 

area. The 11 OOC vehicle remained upright 

during and after the collision event. 

Maximum roll and pitch angles were 23 

degrees and 11 degrees, respectively. 

Occupant risk factors were within the limits 

specified in MASH. 

Test No. 690902-PCL2. 

Performed June 1, 2016. 

A 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 pickup, traveling 

at an impact speed of 99.8 km/h, contacted 

the steel transition at an impact angle of 

24.9 degrees measured to the permanent 

barriers. The steel transition contained and 

redirected the 2270P vehicle. The vehicle 

did not penetrate, underride, or override 

the installation. Maximum dynamic 

deflection during the test was 40 mm. No 

3-21 PASS (2270P) detached elements, fragments, or other 

debris were present to penetrate or show 

potential for penetrating the occupant 

compartment or to present hazard to others 

in the area. Maximum occupant 

compartment deformation was 127 mm in 

the left front ki~kpanel area. The 2270P 

vehicle remained upright during and after 

the collision event. Maximum roll and pitch 

angles were 16 degrees and 8 degrees, 

respectively. Occupant risk factors were 

within the preferred limits specified in 

MASH. 

Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 3 of 4 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 4 of 4 

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 AM Transportation Institute 

Oigit.!ly signed by O.rrtil L Kuhn 

ON: crr-tMrrell L Kuhn. osTuu AIM TransporutiOn lnsltut•. ou=f"rovtng Laboratory Signature: t:>......JL t2. l(J... G.lound, C'mMl•<f.kutvltittl timu Klu, c• US 

0.tc· 2016-120109-.1834 06'00' 

Address: TTI, TAMUS MS 3135, College Station, TX 77843-3 135 Same as Submitter D 

Country: USA Same as Submitter D 

Accreditation Certificate Certificate Number: 2821 .01 Number and Dates of current Valid To: April 30, 2017 

Accreditation period : , ./,, 

Submitter Signature*: r 
 / 

J' ~m n Ptwe) I

I Submit Form 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach lo this form : 

I) Additional disc losures 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 confom1 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 perfomrnnce of the device should also be submitted 

to facilitate our review. 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter 

Number Date Key Words
--

1200 

w' 

1---------.-0-- 24000 ------------- 16000 ---___,..i Plan View I

_: --60000--- .. 

Elevation View 

N 

0 

9' Figure 2.2. Layout of the Branching Transition and Barrier Mounted Sign Installation. --' 
\ 

0.000 s 

J HJO 

f . ,,. 2s1 · 

lmpactPatl'l 

Pl anvGeneral lnfonnation 
 Impact Conditions Post-Impact Trajectory 

Test Agency ....................... Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) 
 Speed ................................. 100.4 km/h Stopping Distance .. ................... 86.0 m downstream 

Test Standard Test No ....... MASH Test 3-20 
 Angle (to permanent barriers) .25.1 degrees 17. 7 m toward traffic 

TTI Test No ........................ 690902-PCL 1 
 Location/Orientation ....... ....880 mm upstream of 

Test Date .. ........................ 2016--05-31 
 Barrier #7 Vehicle Stability 


Test Article Impact Severity ....................78 kJ Maximum Yaw Angle ...... ..... ..... 99 degrees 


Type . . .. ........................ Transition Maximum Pitch Angle .... ...... ...... 11 degrees 


Name ................................. Transition from NJ-Shape Concrete Exit Conditions Maximum Roll Angle ................. 23 degrees 


Barrier to Offset Cross-Bolted F-Shape Speed ................................. 80.0 km/h 
 Vehicle Snagging .. . ................... No 


Installation Length .............. 60 m Angle (to permanent barriers) .6 .2 degrees Vehicle Pocketing ..................... No 


Material or Key Elements ... Ten permanent 1125 mm tall x 4000 mm 

long NJ Tall Wall Keyed-in style barriers Occupant Risk Values Test Article Deflections 

with I-Lock connections, transitional Longitudinal DIV ................. 6.6 m/s Dynam ic .................................... 30 mm at top 

CMBs, and supplemental offset CMBs Lateral OIV ......................... 10.1 m/s Permanent.. . .. ......... None measureable 

Soil Type and Condition ...... 	3350 mm wide x 150 mm thick HMAC Longitudinal Ridedown ....... 3. 7 g Working Width ........................... 220 mm 

Type D hotmix asphalt overlay on top of Lateral Ridedown ............... 10.6 g 

300 mm thick Type A, Grade 1 road base THIV .................................. .43.5 km/h Vehicle Damage 

Test Vehicle 
 PHO ................................~09g VOS .. .. .......... 11 LFQ4 

Type/Designation ........ .... 1100C 
 ASL . .. ....2.86 CDC .......................................... 11FLEW4 

N Make and Model ................. 201 O Kia Rio 
 Max. 0.050-s Average Max. Exterior Deformation ......... 178 mm 

0 	 Curb .............................. .. .. 1120 kg Longitudinal ..................... -12.1 g OCDI ......................................... LF0011000 

Test Inertial.. . ............... 1117 kg Lateral.. . .. .. ........... 19.7 g Max. Occupant Compartment 

Dummy .. . .. ............ .... .. 75 kg Vertical.. .. .. .... .......... . -5. 7 g Deformation ........................... 76 mm 

Gross Static .. . . .... ... 1192 kg 

Figure 5.6. Summary of Results for MASH Test 3-20 on the Branching Transition and Barrier Mounted Sign. 
0.000 s 	 0.100 s 0.200 s 	 0.300 s

- --------59.4m -------- T 3700 ... 


I 
 1040 ..- ~ Planv­

.- -§,,, :-I:Q]e • 24 ~ ..----~ . l ~ .I r7 •• I 


I 163m 


'--Impact Path 

L Exr1AngleBox 'LExrtPath ... 4 Ele~lilhonl/ t!!W 

­

General Information Impact Conditions Post-Impact Trajectory 

Test Agency ....................... Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TII) 
 Speed ................................. 99.8 km/h Stopping Distance ...... ............... 59.4 m downstream 

Test Standard Test No ....... MASH Test 3-21 
 Angle (to permanent barriers) .24.9 degrees 18.3 m toward traffic 

TII Test No ........................ 690902-PCL2 
 Location/Orientation ........... 1040 mm upstream 

Test Date ........................... 2016-0l--01 
 of Barrier#? Vehicle Stability 


Test Article Impact Severity .................... 155 kJ Maximum Yaw Angle ................. 86 degrees 


Type ................................... Transition Maximum Pitch Angle ................ 8 degrees 


Name ................................. Transition from NJ-Shape Concrete Exit Conditions Maximum Roll Angle ................. 16 degrees 


Barrier to Offset Cross-Bolted F-Shape Speed ................................. 82.6 km/h 
 Vehicle Snagging ...................... No 


Installation Length .............. 60 m Angle (to permanent barriers) .7.4 degrees 
 Vehicle Pocketing ...................... No 


Material or Key Elements ... ten permanent 1125 mm tall x 4000 mm 

long NJ Tall Wall Keyed-in style barriers Occupant Risk Values Test Article Deftections 

with I-Lock connections, transitional Longitudinal OIV ................. 5.4 mi s Dynam ic ................................... .40 mm at top 

CMBs, and supplemental offset CMBs Lateral DIV ......................... 9.0 mi s Permanent ................................ None measureable 

Soil Type and Condition ...... 	3350 mm wide x 150 mm thick HMAC Longitudinal Ridedown ...... .4.4 g Working Width.. .... 425 mm 

Type D hotm ix asphalt overlay on top of Lateral Ridedown ...............11 . 8 g 

300 mm thick Type A, Grade 1 road base THIV ................................... 38.8 km/h Vehicle Damage 

Test Vehicle 
 PHO... . .......................... 11 .8 g VOS .......................................... 11LFQ5 

Type/Designation ............... 2270P 
 ASI .....................................2.25 CDC .. ... 11 FLEW4 

IV Make and Model . ......... .... 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 
 Max. 0.050-s Average Max. Exterior Deformation ......... 356 mm 

0 	 Curb. . . ....... ....... 2248 kg 
 Longitudinal ..................... -9.1 g OCDI ......................................... LF0020000 

Test Inertial ........................ 2273 kg 
 Lateral. . ..16.6 g Max. Occupant Compartment 

Dummy .............................. No dummy 
 Vertical ............................ -5.0 g Deformation .... . .... 127 mm 

Gross Static ....................... 2273 kg 
 7"

-

- Figure 6.7. Summary of Results for MASH Test 3-21 on the Branching Transition and Barrier Mounted Sign. 
w ' 

0.000 s 0.140 s ,..­ ------BOm ­ --· ---~ 

5000 r ~ 950 

~,.. !

• 24 7" c"> 

~ 

' lmpai.;1Path 

..,

.... ­ i -

Ed Angle Bo~ 

Ex« Path 

•! 

,,. 

'""I 

w 

w General Information 

Test Agency ....................... Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TII) 


Impact Conditions 

Speed. . ........................... 100.7 km/h 


Post-Impact Trajectory 

Stopping Distance ..................... 80.0 m downstream 

Test Standard Test No ....... MASH Test 3-11 
 Angle ..................................24. 7 degrees 
 28.0 m toward traffic 

TII Test No ........................ 690902-PCL3 
 Location/Orientation ........... 1460 mm upstream 


Test Date ........................... 2016--06-02 
 of Barrier #11 Vehicle Stability 


Test Article Impact Severity .................... 156 kJ Maximum Yaw Angle .. . ......... 73 degrees 


Type ................................... Transition Maximum Pitch Angle ............... 11 degrees 


Name ................................. Transition from NJ-Shape CMB to Offset Exit Conditions Maximum Roll Angle ................. 10 degrees 


Cross-Bolted F-Shape CMB Speed .. . ............................ 86.4 km/h Vehicle Snagging ...................... No 


Installation Length .............. 60 m Angle . . .. 5.2 degrees Vehicle Pocketing . . . .......... No 


Material or Key Elements ... Ten permanent 1125 mm tall x 4000 mm 

long NJ Tall Wall Keyed-in style barriers Occupant Risk Values Test Article Deflections 

with I-Lock connections, transitional Longitudinal OIV ................ .4.6 m/s Dynamic .................................... 86 mm at top 

CMBs, and supplemental offset CMBs Lateral OIV.. ......7.5 mi s Permanent .. . .......... None measureable 


Soil Type and Condition ..... 	3350 mm wide x 150 mm thick HMAC Longitudinal Ridedown ....... 5.1 g Working Width ........................... 220 mm 


Type D hotm ix asphalt overlay on top of Lateral Ridedown . ..... ......13.1 g 

300 mm thick Type A, Grade 1 road base THIV .................................. 32.2 km/h Vehicle Damage 

Test Vehicle PHO .. . ............ 13.8 g VOS .. . .............. 11LFQ4 

Type/Designation ............... 2270P ASI. . ................................... 1.71 CDC .......................................... 11FLEW4 

N Make and Model ............... 201 O Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 
 Max. 0.050-s Average Max. Exterior Deformation ......... 330 mm 

C> 	 Curb.. . ........ 2200 kg 
 Longitudinal .. . .......... . -6.8 g OCDI ......................................... LFOOOOOOO 

Test Inertial ........................ 2276 kg 
 Lateral ............................. 13.2 g Max. Occupant Compartment 

Dummy .............................. 75 kg 
 Vertical ............................ -3.6 g Deform ation . . . .... None 

Gross Static ....................... 2351 kg 


Figure 7.6. Summary of Results for MASH Test 3-11 on the Branching Transition and Barrier Mounted Sign.