January 6, 2020 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

 Washington, D.C. 20590

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1/WZ-386 

Mr. Felipe Almanza 

Traffix Devices Inc. 

160 A venida La Pata 

San Clemente California 92673 

Dear Mr. Almanza: 

This letter is in response to your August 10, 2018 request for the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHW A) 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 WZ-386 and is valid until a subsequent letter is issued by 

FHW A 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: 

• TrafFix Water Wall LCD Water Wall Fence Panels 

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 FHW A, 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 FHW A, 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: TrafFix Water Wall LCD Water Wall Fence Panels 

Type of system: Work Zone 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 2 (TL2) 

Testing conducted by: KARCO 

Date of request: February 21, 2019 

FHW A concurs with the recommendation of the accredited crash testing laboratory per 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 crash worthiness of the system. 

Standard Provisions 
3 

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

control number WZ-386 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. 

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

determination of validity, 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 FHW A eligibility letter determination is made based solely 

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

right to review and revoke an earlier eligibility determination after receipt of subsequent 

information related to crash testing. 

Sincerely, 

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 1 of 5 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

of Highway Safety Hardware 

... 

QI

... ...

·e 

..c 

Date of Request: 8-10-18 (e' New r Resubmission I . Name: . Felipe Almanza 

Company: TrafFix Devices Inc. 

Address: 160 Avenida La Pata San Clemente California 92672 

United States ::::i 

V, Country: 

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 I ' -' -' I 

System Type Submission Type Device Name / Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'WZ': Crash Worthy Work 

Zone Traffic Control Devices 

(e Physical Crash Testing 

(' Engineering Analysis 

TrafFix Water Wall LCD 

W/ Water Wall Fence 

Panels 

AASHTO MASH TL2 

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: Felipe Almanza Same as Submitter ~ 

Company Name: TrafFix Devices Inc. Same as Submitter~ 

Address: 160 Avenida La Pata San Clemente California 92672 Same as Submitter~ 

Country: United States Same as Submitter ~ 

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

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document. 

TrafFix Devices Inc. and Karco Engineering LLC share no financial interests between the two organizations. This 

includes no shared financial interest but not limited to: 

i. Compensation including wages, salaries, commissions, professional fees, or fees for business referrals 

iii. Research funding or other forms of research support; 

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

vi. Business ownership and investment interests; 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 2 of 5 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

(e New Hardware or 

•Significant Modification 

(' Modification to 

Existing Hardware • 

The TrafFix Water Wall with Fence Panels is a Longitudinal Channelizing Device (LCD) designed to provide a 

clear visual indication of the intended travel path through a construction work zone while providing demarked 

separation between the traveling public and pedestrians. The TrafFix LCD with Fence Panels can be used in 

TL-1 and TL-2 applications. The LCD system is free standing, does not require anchoring to the road surface, 

can be used on concrete, asphalt gravel, and dirt surfaces. The surface used for these tests were concrete and 

dirt. The TrafFix LCD can be used with or without the optional fence panels. For these tests the fence panels 

were included. An LCD system consists of individual water filled modules with fence panels that are connected 

to adjacent water filled modules and fence panels creating a continuous unobstructed longitudinal wall of 

unlimited maximum length. Adjoining modules can rotate up to 30 degrees between the connection with or 

without the fence panels installed, allowing the LCD wall to contour to varying road curvature. 

Individual modules have overall dimensions of approximately 73 in (1.9 m) long, pin to pin X 18 in (0.46 m) 

wide X 32 in (0.8 m) tall with an empty module weighs approx. 75 lbs. (34 kg) and approx. 1,000 lbs. (454 kg) 

when filled with water. The modules are manufactured from polyethylene that is UV stabilized. The as tested 

module colors were orange and white in color and the modules may be produced in other colors. The modules 

are designed with four knuckles at each end which contains a series of vertically aligned concentric holes that 

allow a steel t-pin to be inserted to connect adjacent modules together. When modules are pinned together 

there are a total of eight knuckles aligned with the steel t-pin inserted. This provides a positive connection 

between adjacent modules. 

The TrafFix Water Wall LCD was previously tested, passed, and issued a FHWA Eligibility letter WZ-358. The LCD 

modules used in this recent test series are identical to the LCD modules tested under WZ-358. 

The fencing panels were attached to the LCD Wall by inserting a 72.25 in (1 .84 m) long drop t-pin through the 

sides of the fencing. The fence panels are approximately 74.50 in (1 .90 m) wide X 51 .75 in (1 .31 m) tall. 

The TrafFix Water Wall LCD is not intended to function as a barrier, but instead it is designed and tested to 

provide a clear visual indication of the intended traveled path through a construction work zone. 

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: Alex Beltran 

Engineer Signature: 

Address : 9270 Holly Rd. Adelanto CA 92301 Same as Submitter D 

Country: United States Same as Submitter D 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 3 of 5 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

2-90 (11 00C) 

The TrafFix Water Wall Longitudinal 

Channelizing Device (LCD) with Fence 

Panels was angled 25° from the direction of 

the impacting vehicle. The side impact • 

examines the risk of vehicle rollover and/or 

excessive vehicle decelerations. 

The test was conducted using a 

commercially available 2015 Hyundai 

Accent 4-door sedan with a test inertial 

mass of 2,420.6 lbs. (1,098.0 kg). The test 

vehicle impacted the LCD at a velocity of 

44.57 mph (71.73 km/ hr) and at an impact 

angle of 25.4°. The as tested TrafFix Water 

Wall LCD with Water Wall Fence Panels 

consisted of 25 water filled modules pinned 

together measuring 152.1 ft. (46.4 m) long, 

pin to pin. 

Upon initial contact with the first module 

the vehicle moved forward, impacted the 

adjacent module causing the module to 

rupture and dispers_e the contained water. 

The vehicle gated through the traffic side of 

the LCD and was brought to a controlled 

stop 40.8 ft. (12.4 m) longitudinally 

(downstream) and 34.3 ft. (10.5 m) toward 

the non-traffic side from the initial point of 

contact. The vehicle remained upright 

throughout the impact event. The test 

vehicle's occupant compartment was not 

penetrated and there was no measurable in 

cab deformation. The maximum roll and 

pitch angle did not exceed 75° and 

occupant risk values were within limits per 

MASH specifications for Occupant Impact 

Velocity (OIV) and Ridedown Acceleration 

(RA). 

PASS 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 4 of 5 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

2-91 (2270P) 

The TrafFix Water Wall Longitudinal 

Channelizing Device (LCD) with Fence 

Panels was angled 25° from the direction of 

the impacting vehicle. The side impact 

examines the risk of vehicle rollover and/or 

excessive vehicle decelerations. 

The test was conducted using a 

commercially available 2012 RAM 1500 4-

door pickup truck with a test inertial mass of 

5,003.3 lbs. (2,269.5 kg). The test vehicle 

impacted the LCD at a velocity of 44.68 mph 

(71 .91 km/ hr) and at an impact angle of 

25.2°. The as tested TrafFix Water Wall LCD 

with Fencing consisted of 25 water filled 

modules pinned together measuring 152.1 

ft. (46.4 m) long, pin to pin. 

Upon initial contact with the first module 

the vehicle moved forward, impacted the 

adjacent module causing the module to 

rupture and disperse the contained water. 

The vehicle gated through the traffic side of 

the LCD and was brought to a controlled 

stop 90.1 ft. (27.5 m) longitudinally 

(downstream) and 43.6 ft. (13.3 m) toward 

the non-traffic side from the initial point of 

contact. The vehicle remained upright 

throughout the impact event. The test 

vehicle's occupant compartment was not 

penetrated and there was no measurable in 

cab deformation. The maximum roll and 

pitch angle did not exceed 75° and 

occupant risk valu es were within limits per 

MASH specifications for Occupant Impact 

Velocity (OIV) and Ridedown Acceleration 

(RA). 

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 .): 

Laboratory Name: Appl us IDIADA KARCO Engineering 

Laboratory Signature: M_ Digitally signed by Alex Beltran 

ON: cn =A.lex Beltran, o=KARCO Engineering, ou=Testing Laboratory, 

email =abeltran@karco.com, c=US 

Date: 2018.08.1 4 08:24:02 -07'00' 

Address: 9270 Holly Rd. Adelanto, CA. 92301 Same as Submitter D 

Country: United States Same as Submitter D 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period : 

TL-371 , July 2018 - July 2019 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 5 of 5 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this fonn: 

1) Additional disclosures ofrelated 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 
MASH Test 2-90 Summary 

0.000 s 0.100 s 0.300 s 0.950 s 1.600 s 

c:::c:::::1..::&. *'· ,v " -+

J 

General Information 

Test Agency .................... KARCO Engineering, LLC. 

KARCO Test No.............. P38103-01 

Test Designation .. ...... ...... 2-90 

Test Date .... .. ... ... .......... 03/08/18 

Test Article 

Name / Model. ... ........... .. LCD Water Wall w/ Fence Array 

Type .............. .. ..... ..... .. ... Longitudinal Chanelizer 

Installation Length .. ......... . 152.1 ft. (46.4 m) 

Module Length ........ ......... 73.0 in (1854 mm) 

Road Surface ... . .. Concrete and Soil 

Test Vehicle 

Type / Designation ... 11 00C 

Year, Make, and Model. ..... 2015 Hyundai Accent 

Curb Mass ..... ... ... .......... .. 2,468.0 lbs (1 ,119.5 kg) 

Test Inertial Mass .......... .... 2,420.6 lbs (1,098.0 kg) 

Gross Static Mass ........ .... 2 586.0 lbs (1 ,173.0 kg) 

Figure 2 Summary of Test 2-90 

Impact Conditions 

Impact Velocity. .... . .... 44.57 mph (71.73 km/h) 

Impact Angle ........... 25.4° 

Location / Orientation ........ 3.8 ft. (1.8 m) upstream from 

splice 

Kinetic Energy ... .............. 160.7 kip-ft (217.9 kJ) 

Exit Conditions 

Exit Velocity.................... 37.4° 

Exit Angle..... . ...... 10.1 mph (16.3 km/h) 

Final Vehicle Position ........ 40.8 ft (12.4 m) downstream 

34.3 ft. (1 0.5 m) field side 

Vehicle Snagging ... ... ........ None 

Vehicle Pocketing ............. Yes 

Vehicle Stability ......... . . Satisfactory 

Maximum Roll Angle... -3.7° 

Maximum Pitch Angle . 3.2° 

Maximum Yaw Anole ......... -8.3° 

Occupant Risk 

Longitudinal OIV .... .. ........ 24.0 ft/s (7.3 m/s) 

Lateral OIV........ ............ 4.6 ft/s (1 .4 m/s) 

Longitudinal RA...... .. .... .... -8.3 g 

Lateral RA ... .... ... ............. 3.4 g 

THIV................. ... ... ..... ... 24.0 ft/s (7.3 m/s) 

PHO.......... ...... ....... ....... 8.6 g 

ASI ............ .......... 0.62 

Test Article Deflections 

Static............... .... .... .. ... 7.2 ft. (2.2 m) 

Dynamic............... ........ 7.2 ft. (2.2 m) 

Working Width ... ... .......... 13.9 ft. (4.2 m) 

Vehicle Damage 

Vehicle Damage Scale .. .... 01-FR-2 

CDC........ .... ...... .. 01 FREW1 

Maximum Intrusion Negligible 

13 TR-P38103-01-NC 
MASH Test 2-91 Summary 

0.000 s 0.100 s 0.300 s 0.950 s 0.950 s 

~ 

i 

General Information 

Test Agency . .......... ....... . KARCO Engineering, LLC. 

KARCO Test No... ............. P38065-01 

Test Designation ............... 2-91 

Test Date ... . 03/09/18 

Test Article 

Name / Model. ... . . . . . . . . . . .. LCD Water Wall w/ Fence Array 

Type.. ............. ..... ... ....... Longitudinal Channelizer 

Installation Length ...... ...... .. 152.1 ft. (46.4 m) 

Module Length .. 73.0 in (1854 mm) 

Road Surface ......... ...... .. ... Concrete and Soil 

Test Vehicle 

Type/ Designation ... ... 2270P 

Year, Make, and Model. .. ... 2012 RAM 1500 

Curb Mass .......... .. .... ... .. 5,033.1 lbs (2,283.0 kg ) 

Test Inertial Mass .. .. .. .... ... 5,003.3 lbs (2,269.5 kg) 

Gross Static Mass ............. 5,003.3 lbs (2 ,2269.5 ko) 

Impact Conditions 

Impact Velocity.... ... 44.68 mph (71.91 km/h) 

Impact Angle ...... ..... .... .. ... 25.2° 

Location/ Orientation ........ .4.9 ft. (1.5 m) upstream from 

splice 

Kinetic Energy . 333.9 kip-ft (452.7 kJ) 

Exit Conditions 

Exit Velocity ...... ... ... ....... ... 30.0° 

Exit Angle ....... .. ... ... ... ... .... 25.4 mph (40.9 km/h) 

Final Vehicle Position ......... 90.1 ft (27.5 m) downstream 

43.6 ft. (13.3 m) field side 

Vehicle Snagging... . . None 

Vehicle Pocketing ...... ...... .. Yes 

Vehicle Stability ..... ... . Satisfactory 

Maximum Roll Angle ... .. .... . -9.4° 

Maximum Pitch Angle ........ 10.3° 

Maximum Yaw Anole .......... -5.4° 

Occupant Risk 

Longitudinal OIV. ............... 18.0 ft/s (5.5 mis) 

Lateral OIV ..... ... .... .... ....... 0.0 

Longitudinal RA .... .. .... ..... . -3.3 g 

Lateral RA....... 1.9 g 

THIV. .... ...... .... ... ... ... .... .. . 19.0 ft/s (5.8 mis) 

PHO... ......... ........ .... 2.6 g 

ASI. ... ....... ........... . ........ 0.38 

Test Article Deflections 

Static ........ 15.8 ft. (4.8 m) 

Dynamic.. .... ... . Obstructed View 

Working Width .. ....... ........ . Obstructed View 

Vehicle Damage 

Vehicle Damage Scale ... .... 01-FR-2 

CDC .. . 01 FREW1 

Maximum Intrusion ......... .' Neolioible 

Figure 2 Summary of Test 2-91 

13 TR-P38065-01 -NC 
2 

D D

C C 

LCD Individual Module Section View of LCD Individual Module 

UNLE5S OTHERWISE SPECIFIED: 

All DIMENSIONS Al!E IN INCHES(mmj. 

TrafFix dJiP 

Devices Inc. 6® 

A 

TITLE : 

LCD Water Wall 

w/ Fence Array 

A 

NOTES: UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 

8 

DRAWN BY: Cl'Yit1opher Jdme 

CHECKED BY: 

FA 

A.PPROVE06Y 

FA 

DATE: 

3/9/18 

DAIE; 

3/Q/18 

DATE: 

3/9/18 

SIZE 

B DWG. NO. 300-300 

REV 

A 

SHEET I OF 1 
3 2 

D D

18.00 

[457.20] 

73.00 

[1854.20] 

32.00 

[812.80] 

C 77.50 C 

[1968.50] 

UNL8S OTHERWISE SPEClflEO: All OWENSIONS ARE IN INCHES[mm] Buttress Thread DECW.Al:X.X 

TOLERANCES: :t .0615" TrafFix -,. Drain Plug Equipment Lifting X.XX t .032' Through Holes Devices Inc. ~ 

TITLE: 

A A 

LCD Module 

LCD Module 

3. Color: Orange and White SIZE DWG. NO. REV 0RAWN8Y DATE: 

Oirislopher Jd me 3/9/18 

CHECt:ED8Y: DATE: 

2. 

l . 

Material

Units: Inches : Plastic [mm) 

Polyethylene 

FA 3/9/1 8 

B 300-301 A

NOTES: UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED APPROVED BY DATE: SHEET I OF I FA 319/1 8 

8 
8 

c¢:::, 

D D

3.00 i - -

i [76.20] 

~ 

Keeper Pin 

74.50 

[1892.30] 

C C 

72.25 

51.75 [1835.15] 

[1314.45] 

1.75 

[44.45] --J tA 

Water Wall 

FenceT-Pln 

Fence Panel 

UNLESS OTHERWISE SPEClflEO: ALL 01.'AENSIONS ARE IN INCHES[mm]. 

TOLERANCES: 

FRACTIONAL: XIX ! L/16 p.6tT11,,1 

DECMAL: X.X ! .0625" X.XX ! .OJT 

0RAWN8Y· DAIE: Chrklopher Jaime 3/9/18 

CHECrEO!lY· DATE: FA 3/'9/18 

APPROVED IIY DATE: FA 3/'9/18 

8 3 

160 Avenlda La Para TrafFix di, S.J11 Cleme11te, CA 926 73 (949} 361 -5663 Devices Inc. ~ 

TITLE: 

SIZE 

B 

2 

~ (,9:;~x~ti~~om 

LCD Water Wall A 

wI Fence Harware 

DWG. NO. REV 

300-302 A 

SHEET I OF I