Refer to: HNG-14 

Mr. Tauhid Husain 

Senior Engineer 

Transpo Industries, Inc. 

20 Jones Street 

New Rochelle, New York 10801-6024 

Dear Mr. Husain: 

This is in response to your January 24 letter to Mr. Gerald L. 

Eller requesting Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) 

acceptance of your double neck Pole-S&fe breakaway support 

couplings for light poles, call boxes, and small sign posts. 

Transmitted with your letter were copies of two reports of 

pendulumtesting conducted by Southwest Research Institute, 

static test reports from PSI/Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory, and INITULS,

I 

. . ., .. . . . . . . 

drawings of the prototype and production couplings. 

. . . . . .._._.

D*lE 

Requirements for breakaway supports are those in the American 

Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials RTO.SYUm

. . . 

TO) Standard for StrVts fez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

av Siun*. . . _ . We also recogniz IN~~~IsG

the testing and evaluation guidelines found in the National 

Cooperative Highway Research Program (NHCRP) Report Number 350 

....t_.__

d Proredyres for the Safetv Perfmce Eva- / 

DATE 

-Features. RTG.SYUs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .._

Although then test results on the prototype couplings were in wwwx 

accordance: with the ,evaluation criteria in the NCHRP Report 350, . . . . . . . .._._.

we do no-~believe that thev fullv demonstrate how the oroduction DA= 

units wilEperform. The N&iRP Riport 350 States, in _ 

Section, 24,*&I:, 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

"The test article should be constructed and erected in a iNITULSI

manner representative of in-service installations and shoul ..,.....

conform to specifications and drawings of the' manufacturer 

or designer... deviations from fabrication, specification, o 

erection details should be delineated in the test report." 

Form DOT F 1320.116A (RN. Sl3S) 

supersedes prevIW8Bditlon OFFICIAL FILE COPY 
The drawings of the actual production model couplings differ 

RTG~SYM

substantially from the drawings of the couplings shown in the ..,,,,..,, . ._ .. . 

test reports. Among other differences, the tested couplings wer~z'NAULS

machined with sharp valleys in the notches where the proposed . . . . . . . . . . . oArr 

couplings have rounded valleys. Therefore, we are unable to find 

the device acceptable for use on the National Highway System. R,G,SIM

The testing conducted to date demonstrates that the concept of a."-....-

INRI/\I

double neck coupler should work, but we conclude that our 

acceptance must be based upon actual testing of the revised . . . . . 

design. We understand that you are planning a single test of theDATE 

revised design at high speed. Low speed testing of breakaway RTG,SYM

devices is usually more revealing for breakaway characteristics. 

The results of high speed testing depends a lot on the mass of . , . . . ,N,TULS

the support that is above the breakaway device. We will not be 

. . . ..~..

able to find your company's revised coupling acceptable until and,,, 

unless the low speed test is conducted and the high speed test 

run or the high speed test results inferred analytically. RTO SYMBO

Sincerely yours, 

,,,._.,..

INIVALSIS

. . .._____.

Orf&ld simed w 

DATE 

,z?7y,s :. Pl?'?rl 

RTG.SYMBO

Seppo I. Sillan, Acting, Chief 

Federal-Aid and Design Division . . . . . . . . .._.

V,T,ALS

Federal Highway Administration 

HNG-14:NArtimovich:gm:2-29_96:61331:HUSAIN 

copies to: 

HPD-1 HNG-1 HNG-10 HNG-14 

Reader, 3128 File, 3128 

Form WT F lSZO.SM (Rev. S/W) 

Supersedes previous edition OFFICIAL FILE COPY 
Refer to: HNG-14 

Mr. Tauhid Husain 

Senior Engineer 

Transpo Industries, Inc. 

20 Jones Street 

New Rochelle, New York 10801-6024 

Dear Mr. Husain: 

This is in response to your March 28 letter to Mr. Gerald L. 

Eller requesting the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) 

acceptance of your double neck Pole-Safe breakaway support 

couplings for light poles, call boxes, and small sign posts. 

Transmitted with your letter were copies of two reports of 

pendulum testing conducted by Southwest Research Institute! 

. . - _ . . . ~ . . _ _ 

iHllUL?,lSG 

. . . . . . 

OAle 

static test reports from Pittsburgh Testing Labs, and drawings of 

the couplings. 

Requirements for breakaway supports are those in the American 

Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 

. . 

Standard 

. . 

, These 

specifications have been adopted by the FHNA. We have also 

recognized the testing and evaluation guidelines found in the 

National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report Number 350 

An 816-kg pendulum fitted with a lo-stage crushable nose was used 

to simulate an impacting automobile. A summary of the testing on 

the two largest coupler sizes follows: 

Test Parameter / Test t TP - 4100 

Coupling designstim Model 4100 

Nominal sizn (9&t dii) 254 mm (1 .oO in) 

TP - 4125 

MC&l 4125 

31.9 mm (1.2W in) 

Neck dimMassoft&aek4(vMigM) 

Length Of p& 

Bdt circle diimetw 

Irn!J=tspeed 

15.9 mm (0.625 in) 

432.2 kg (953 lb@ 

15m(49Sft) 

339 mm (13.0 in) 

9.8 m/s (32.2 Rls. 22 mph) 

16.8 mm (0.680 in) 

432.2 kg (953 lb) 

15 m (49.5 ft) 

230 mm (13.0 in) 

9.8 m/s (32.2 Ws. 22 mph) 

OFFICIAL FILE COPY 
These results meet the change-in-velocity and stub height 

requirements adopted by the FHWA and the AASHTO. Therefore, your 

breakaway support couplings, Models 4125, 4100, and 4062 

(externally threaded) and Models 5125, 5100, and 5062 (internally 

threaded), described above and/or illustrated in the enclosures 

are acceptable for use on the National Highway System (NHS) 

within the range of conditions tested, if requested by a State. 

Base bolt circle diameter is not a controlling factor in the 

breakaway performance of these couplings. The following 

conditions and limitations apply unless further crash testinq 

indicates 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

acceptability under-other conditions: 

No more than one support may be used within a 2.1-meter 

width. 

All supports shall be mounted to a structural concrete 

foundation that will not move in the soil if the 

support is struck by a vehicle. 

Luminaire mounting height should not exceed 15.7 meters 

(55 feet). 

Mass of pole, mast arms, luminaire and other hardware 

above the couplings shall not exceed 454 kg 

(1000 pounds). 

Our acceptance is limited to the breakaway characteristics of 

your couplings and does not cover their structural features. 

Presumably, you will supply potential users with sufficient 

information on structural design and installation requirements to 

ensure proper performance. We anticipate that the states will 

require certification from Transpo Industries that the hardware 

furnished will have essentially the same chemistry and mechanical 

properties as that used in the tests, and that the geometry 

conforms to a design covered by this letter, and that it will 

meet the FHWA change in velocity requirements. 

Because your breakaway couplings are to be patented and will be 

proprietary, to be ueed in Federal-aid highway projects, except 

exempt, non-NHS 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 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 

which is enclosed. 

Sincerely yours, 

3 

635.411, a copy of 

'seppo I. Sillan, Acting Chief 

Federal-Aid and Design Division 

2 Enclosures 

Federal Highway Administration 

HNG-14:NArtimovich:gm:4-25_96:61331:HUSAINl 

copies to: 

HPD-1 HNG-1 HNG-10 HNG-14 

Reader, 3128 File, 3128 
400 Seventh St., S.W. 

Washington. D.C. 20590 

Refer to: HNG-14 

Nr. Arthur M. Dinitz 

Transpo Industries, Inc. 

20 Jones Street 

New Rochelle, New York 10801-6024 

Dear Mr. Dinitz: 

This is in response to your December 12, 1996, letter to 

Mr. Gerald L. Eller requesting Federal Highway Administration's 

(FHWA) acceptance of your double neck Pole-Safe breakaway 

support couplings for light poles, call boxes, and small sign 

posts. Transmitted with your letter were a report and video of 

full-scale testing conducted by E-Tech Testing Services, static 

test reports from PSI\Pittsburgh Physical Testing, and drawings 

of the couplings. 

Requirements for breakaway supports are .those in the American 

Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 

for St'ructuralts fQK 

. We also recognize 

the testing and evaluation guidelines found in the National 

Cooperative Highway Research Report Number 350 Recommended 

for the Safetv of Hj.&~ay 

Features. 

Drawings of the Series 4000 and 5000 Pole-Safe couplings are 

enclosed. The various coupling series and sizes are manufacturedof proprietary "E.T.D. 150' steel. Dimensions and physical 

properties of the couplings are summarized in the following 

table: 
*Couplings used in tests. Because the neck diameter of the 

largest of the three couplings in both the 4000 and 5000 series 

is the same as that of the tested coupling, similar performance 

can be expected. 

** Ultimate Tensile Strength of the coupling. 

,_*F_-' c " -

A summary of the crash testing is presented in-the following 

table: 

1 Test Number I 03-8287-001 ~08-8287-002 I 

Test Arikle - Model Number 4100 

Pole Mass 423 kg (1000 w) 

Pole.HeigM 18.8m(55ft) 

‘Vehicle Mass 829 kg (1828 #) 

Impact Speed 34.35 kmm (21.3 nvll) 

Occupant Impact Speed 4.35 m/s (14.37 ftfs) 

5100 

423 kg (1000 n) 

Is.8 m (55 ft) 

839 kg (1850 r) 

101.56 km/h (83.11 m/h) 

3.27 m/s (10.73 Ws) 

Approtimate Stub HeigM 1 54 mm (2 118 in) 1 25.4 mm (1 in) * 

*Three couplings broke at the. lower notch. The fourth broke at 

the upper wrench flat and was left nearly intact attached to the 

foundation.. It was judged that the remaining coupling would not 

‘~ present a significant hazard. 

The results of the tests meet the change-in-velocity and stub 

height criteria adopted by the FHWA. Therefore, Pole Safe 

Couplings Series 4000 and 5000, as noted in the table above, are 

acceptable for use on the National Highway System (NHS) within 

the range of conditions tested when requested by a State. 

Cur acceptance is limited to the breakaway characteristics of the 

couplings and does not cover their durability or structural 

performance. Presumably, you will supply potential users with 

sufficient information on design and installation requirements to 

ensure proper performance. We anticipate that the States will 

require certification from Transpo Industries that the hardware 
3 

furnished has essentially the same mechanical properties and 

geometry as those used in the crash testing, and that they will 

meet the FHWA change in velocity requirements. 

The loading eccentricity in the reported fatigue test was not 

very significant in comparison to an eccentricity in excess of 

half the bearing diameter of the hold-down nut that will result 

from an out-of-plumb anchor bolt. However, because our review 

does not include the structural adequacy of your new couplings, 

the fatigue testing is not relevant to our review. Our reason 

for commenting on the eccentricity is to ensure that we will not 

be interpreted as having accepted the distance used. In addition 

we have offered no opinion on the relavance of the loading range 

used in the fatigue testing from minus 6.3 percent to 1,7.4 

percent of the reported minimum yield strength of the couplings. 

We would also point out that the fatigue test report supplied did 

not contain adequate descriptions of the items tested. 

The Pole-Safe couplings are a proprietary product. To be used in 

Federal-aid projects, except exempt, non-RHS projects: they 

(a) must be supplied through competitive bidding with equally 

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

that they arQ essential for synchroni,aation with 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, a copy of which is enclosed. 

Sincerely yours, 

Dwight A. Horne, Chiaf 

Federal-Aid and Design Division 

2 EnclOSLUQS 

Supplement to Geometric and Roadside Design Acceptance Letter No. LS-455 
CHAMF. 

START J 

OF THRD 

 

MlE nEwiloNllEcaM mi. cu. 

THREAD-2B 

NOTE 2 & 3 

A c 

WRENCH FLATS 

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-l-lRef, 

66. 

CHAMF. 

L STARi 

OF THRD 

JOTES: 

I. HOT DIP GALV. PER ASTM Al53. 

2. INTERNAL THREADS TO BE TAPPED AFlER GALV. 

1. INTERNAL THREADS TO BE TAPPED OVERSIZE AS FOUOWS: 

O!lfLR 7/M” - 1” --- 0.021” OVERSIZE 

OVER 1” --- 0.03 1 l OVERSIZE 

w~z~O 

20 JONES ST., NEW ROCHiLLE, IiY 10801 

tMTETuM 

“E.T.0: 150 STEEL 

DRAWN ET: TH 

N.T.S. APPRovEo By: 

MTE 

7/26/9!i I LmAwiNG No* SPC4000 
CHAMF. 

START - 

LMIE mMsKIR RECORO NJnI. CK. 

-C 

t 

Bf?Qf. 

/lb Ri 

WRENCH FLATS 

CHAMF. 

LSTART 

OF THRD 

NO1 ES: 

1. HOT DIP GALV. PER ASTM A153. 

i 

. 

.aWZ?P@ 20 JONES ST., NEW ROCHiLLE, IiY 10601 

w1EfuM mwriw: TH 

“E.T.D.’ 150 STEEL N.T.S. #PR(IVEO BT: 

2132 [4 p 

mu POLE-SAFE COUPUNG 

.wM MD0 SERIES 

ME 

f r.oa 7/26/95 mwww40 N0. SPC5000 

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