April 13, 2021 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1/WZ-426 

Mr. Henry A. Ross 

Plasticade 

100 Howard Avenue, Des Plaines 

IL 60018 

USA 

Dear Mr. Ross: 

This letter is in response to your February 26, 2021 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-426 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: 

• Plasticade SS620A Sign Stand with rollup sign at 84”

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. 

0 

U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Highway 

Administration 
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: Plasticade SS620A Sign Stand with rollup sign at 84”

Type of system: Work Zone 

Test Level: Test Level 3 

Testing conducted by: Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) 

Date of request: February 26, 2021 

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

attached form. 

In accordance with FHWA's Memo "Federal-aid Reimbursement Eligibility Process for Safety 

Hardware Devices" dated November 12, 2015, FHWA will make note of any reported damage to 

a test vehicle's fuel tank, oil pan, or other feature that might serve as a surrogate of the fuel tank. 

AASHTO's MASH states "Although not a specific factor in assessing test results, integrity of a 

test vehicle's fuel tank is a potential concern. It is preferable that the fuel tank remains intact and 

not be punctured. Damage or rupture of the fuel tank, oil pan, or other feature that might serve as 

a surrogate of the fuel tank should be reported". A test report included in this submittal 

documenting Test 3-71at 90-degree angle states "there was a small cut in the transmission pan". 

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.
3 

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. 

Standard Provisions 

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

control number WZ-426 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 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 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 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)

Submitter

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility

of Highway Safety Hardware

 Date of Request: New Resubmission

Name:

Company:

Address:

Country:

Michael S. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies To:

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

highway program.

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:

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

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document.

Page 1 of 5 

February 26, 2021 I 

Henry A. Ross 

Plasticade® 

100 Howard Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018 

U.S.A. 

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

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

Plasticade® SS620A Sign 

Stand with rollup sign at 

84" 

AASHTO MASH  Physical Crash Testing TL3 'WZ': Crash Worthy Work

Zone Traffic Control Devices  Engineering Analysis

Contact Name: Henry A. Ross Same as Submitter 

Company Name: Plasticade® Same as Submitter 

Address: 100 Howard Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018 Same as Submitter 

Country: U.S.A. Same as Submitter 

Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) was contracted by Plasticade® to perform full-scale crash testing of the 

Plasticade"' SS620A Sign Stand with rollup sign at 84". There are no shared financial interests in the Plasticade"' 

SS620A Sign Stand with roll up signs by TTI, or between Plasticade"' and TTI, other than the costs involved in the 

actual crash tests and reports for this submission to FHWA. 

690900-PLC 19-21 
 Version 10.0 (05/16)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

CRASH TESTING

Engineer Name:

Address:

Country:

 A brief description of each crash test and its result:

Page 2 of 5 

 New Hardware or

• Significant Modification 

 Modification to

Existing Hardware 

The Plasticade® SS620A Sign Stand is a proprietary sign stand tested with a 48 inch square diamond-shaped 

ORAFOL ® vinyl roll up sign panel. The sign panel was mounted at 84 inches from grade to the bottom of the 

sign panel. Above the sign, three conspicuity flags were mounted at the top of the stand. The overall height of 

the stand was 14-ft 8 3⁄4-inches to the top of the flags. A 40-lb sand bag was placed on each of the four legs to 

hold the stand in place. Each sign stand weighed 60.8 lb (exclusive of the sand bags). 

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. 

D. Lance Bullard, Jr., P.E. 

Engineer Signature: D. Lance Bullard, Jr. Digitally signed by D. Lance Bullard, Jr. 

Date: 2021 .02.26 13:21 :59 -06'00' 

1254 Avenue A, Bldg 7091, Bryan, Texas 77807 Same as Submitter 

U.S.A. Same as Submitter 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation 

Number 

3-70 

Description 

MASH states thatTest 3-70 for small 

Results 

vehicles is considered optional for workzone traffic control devices weighing less 

than 220 lb, because velocity changes 

during low-speed impacts with free3-70 (11 00C) standing, lightweight features will be within Non-Critical, not conducted 

acceptable limits. The Plasticade® SS620A 

Sign Stand weighed 60.8 lb (excluding the 

sand bags). Therefore, MASH Test 3-70 was 

not performed on this traffic control device. 

Non-critical, not conducted 
 Version 10.0 (05/16)

Page 3 of 5 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation 

Number Description Results 

MASH Test 3-71 involved an 1100( vehicle 

weighing 2420 lb ±55 lb impacting the 

traffic control device at an impact speed of 

62 mi/h ±2.5 mi/h. Per MASH 

recommendations, the device was tested at 

critical impact angles (CIAs) of go0 ± 1 .5° and 

0°±1.5°. 

The results of test 6gogoo-PLP1 g conducted 

on November 4, 2020 are found in TTI Test 

Report number 6gogoo-PLP1 g-21.In this 

test, a sign stand with a ORAFOL ® vinyl 

rollup sign panel mounted 84 inches from 

grade to the bottom of sign was impacted. 

The test vehicle was traveling at an impact 

speed of 62.6 mi/h when it contacted the 

sign stand at an impact angle of go0 • Brakes 

on the vehicle were applied after loss of 

contact with the sign stand, and the vehicle 

came to rest 348 ft downstream of the point 

of impact and 7 ft toward the right of the 

centerline. No exterior crush to the vehicle 

or occupant compartment deformation was 

noted. 

The results oftest 6gogoo-PLP20 conducted 

on November 4, 2020 are found in TTI Test 

Report number 6gogoo-PLP1 g-21.In this 

test, a sign stand with a ORAFOL ® vinyl 

3-71 (11 00C) rollup sign panel mounted 84 inches from PASS grade to the bottom of sign was impacted. 

The sign stand was aligned 0° to the test 

vehicle. The test vehicle was traveling at an 

impact speed of 62.0 mi/h when it 

contacted the sign stand at an impact angle 

of 0°. Brakes on the vehicle were applied 

after loss of contact with the sign stand, and 

the vehicle came to rest 323 ft downstream 

of and in line with the point of impact. The 

windshield was cracked over a 2-inch x 2-

inch area near the roof line and 16 inches to 

the left of centerline of the vehicle. There 

were no holes or tears in the liner of the 

windshield. No fuel tank damage was 

observed. Maximum exterior crush to the 

vehicle was 2.0 inches in the front plane at 

bumper height. No occupant compartment 

deformation was observed. 

MASH does not require instrumentation of 

the vehicle when impacting lightweight, 

freestanding work zone traffic control 

devices weighing less than 220 lb, therefore 

the occupant risk factors were not 

calculated for this test. The Plasticade® 

SS620A Sign Stand weighed 60.8 lb 

(excluding the sand bags). 

The device performed acceptably for MASH 

test 3-71 with an impact angle ofgo0 and 0°. 
 Version 10.0 (05/16)

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.):

Page 4 of 5 

MASH Test 3-72 involves a 2270P vehicle 

weighing 5000 lb± 110 lb impacting the 

traffic control device at an impact speed of 

62 mi/h ±2.5 mi/h. Per MASH 

recommendations, the device was tested at 

critical impact angles (CIAs) of go0 ± 1 .5° and 

0°±1.5°. 

The results oftest 6gogoo-PLP21 conducted 

on November 4, 2020 are found in TTI Test 

Report number 6gogoo-PLP1 g_21.In this 

test, a sign stand with a ORAFOL ® vinyl 

rollup sign panel mounted 84 inches from 

grade to the bottom of sign was impacted. 

The test vehicle was traveling at an impact 

speed of 64.0 mi/h when it contacted the 

first sign stand at an impact angle of go0 • 

The vehicle was traveling at an impact 

speed of 62.5 mi/h and impact angle of 0° 

when it contacted the second sign stand. 

Brakes on the vehicle were applied after loss 

of contact with the second sign stand, and 

the vehicle came to rest 303 ft downstream 

3-72 (2270P) of and in line with the point of impact. The PASS front bumper sustained two 1 inch deep 

deformations 13 inches to the right and left 

of centerline of the vehicle. The windshield 

was cracked and deformed 1.125 inches at 

the roof line 10 inches to the right of 

centerline of the vehicle. The windshield 

liner was intact with no holes or tears. No 

damage to the fuel tank was observed. 

Maximum exterior crush to the vehicle was 

1.0 inch in the front plane and 13 inches to 

the right and left of the centerline of the 

vehicle at bumper height. Maximum 

occupant compartment deformation was 

1.125 inches in the windshield. MASH does 

not require instrumentation of the vehicle 

when impacting lightweight, freestanding 

work zone traffic control devices weighing 

less than 220 lb, therefore the occupant risk 

factors were not calculated for this test. The 

Plasticade® SS620A Sign Stand weighed 

60.8 lb (excluding the sand bags). The 

device performed acceptably for MASH test 

3-72 with impact angles of 0° and go0 • 
Version 10.0 (05/16)

Laboratory Name:

Address:

Country:

Accreditation Certificate

Number and Dates of current

Accreditation period :

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

Page 5 of 5 

Texas A&M Transportation Institute 

Laboratory Signature: Digitally signed by Darrell L. Kuhn 

'Date: 2021.02.26 13:13:21 -06'00 

1254 Avenue A, Bldg 7091, Bryan, Texas 77807 Same as Submitter 

U.S.A Same as Submitter 

ISO 17025-2017 Laboratory 

A2LA Certificate Number: 2821.01 

Valid To: April 30, 2021 

Submitter Signature*· Henry A Ross Q;gitallysignedbyHenryA.Ross • • Date:2021.03.0210:40:00-06'00' 
TR No. 690900-PLP19-21 23 2021-02-26 0.000 s 0.050 s 0.100 s 

General Information Test Vehicle Post-Impact Trajectory Test Agency....................... Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Type/Designation ............... 1100C Stopping Distance......

Test Standard Test No....... MASH-2016 Test 3-71 at 0° Make and Model ................ 2014 Nissan Versa 

TTI Test No. ...................... 690900-PLP20 Curb................................... 2461 lb Maximum Test Debris 

Test Date........................... 2020-11-04 Test Inertial ........................ 2452 lb Sign Stand .................

Test Article Dummy .............................. 165 lb Type .................................. Work-Zone Traffic Control Device Gross Static ....................... 2607 lb Vehicle Damage Name................................. Plasticade® SS620A sign stand with Impact Conditions VDS...........................

ORAFOL® vinyl rollup sign Speed ................................ 62.0 mi/h CDC...........................

Installation Height .............. 84 inches to bottom of sign panel Angle ................................. 0° Max. Exterior DeformaMaterial or Key Elements ... 48 inch diamond-shaped rollup sign panel Kinetic Energy..................... 315 kip-ft OCDI..........................

held in place by a wing clamp sign holder Exit Conditions Max. Occupant Compa

on 4-legged stand Speed ................................ 60.2 mi/h Deformation ..........

Soil Type and Condition ..... Concrete pavement, dry; four 40-lb sand Windshield Damage...

bags 

Figure 6.6. Summary of Results for MASH-2016 Test 3-71 at 0 Degrees on Plasticade® SS620A Sign Stand 

84 inches. 13" J f --- - --- - --# - --f~]- 1 mpa ct P ath_/ - ,C- "- !JRAFOL VINYL "'-._IIOLlLJP SIG_!! 
TR No. 690900-PLP19-21 17 2021-02-26 0.000 s 0.050 s 0.100 s 

General Information Test Vehicle Post-Impact Trajectory Test Agency....................... Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Type/Designation ............... 1100C Stopping Distance......

Test Standard Test No....... MASH-2016 Test 3-71 at 90° Make and Model ................ 2014 Nissan Versa 

TTI Test No. ...................... 690900-PLP19 Curb................................... 2436 lb Maximum Test Debris 

Test Date........................... 2020-11-04 Test Inertial ........................ 2435 lb Sign Stand .................

Test Article Dummy .............................. 165 lb 

Type .................................. Work-Zone Traffic Control Device Gross Static ....................... 2600 lb Vehicle Damage Name................................. Plasticade® SS620A sign stand with Impact Conditions VDS...........................

ORAFOL® vinyl rollup sign Speed ................................ 62.6 mi/h CDC...........................

Installation Height .............. 84 inches to bottom of sign panel Angle ................................. 90° Max. Exterior DeformaMaterial or Key Elements ... 48 inch diamond-shaped rollup sign panel Kinetic Energy..................... 319 kip-ft OCDI..........................

held in place by a wing clamp sign holder Exit Conditions Max. Occupant Compa

on 4-legged stand Speed ................................ 61.3 mi/h Deformation ..........

Soil Type and Condition ..... Concrete pavement, dry; four 40-lb sand Windshield Damage...

bags Figure 5.6. Summary of Results for MASH-2016 Test 3-71 at 90 Degrees on Plasticade® SS620A Sign Stand 

84 inches. r 348' 13" J r~ \V f ----r-c-.:--j\ Impact P::ith~ 7' i a.-· FF.C,_,)~!~~~~· :J=-.;F l QP,CTT()\< ()' :<JC, "- !JRAFOL VINYL "'-._IIOLlLJPSIGN P.~FA(A'1VA"S ()\Al l ' OIJF!~)fJOflUP
TR No. 690900-PLP19-21 29 2021-02-26 0.000 s 0.050 s 0.150 s 

General Information Test Agency....................... Test Standard Test No....... TTI Test No. ...................... Test Date........................... Test Article Type .................................. Name................................. Installation Height .............. Material or Key Elements ... Soil Type and Condition ..... Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) MASH-2016 Test 3-72 at 90° and 0° 690900-PLP21 2020-11-04 Work-Zone Traffic Control Device Plasticade® SS620A sign stand with ORAFOL® vinyl rollup sign 84 inches to bottom of sign panel 48 inch diamond-shaped rollup sign panel held in place by a wing clamp sign holder on 4-legged stand Concrete pavement, dry; four 40-lb sand bags Test Vehicle Type/Designation ............... Make and Model ................ Curb................................... Test Inertial ........................ Dummy .............................. Gross Static ....................... Impact Conditions Speed Sign Stand #1 ......... Angle Sign Stand #1 .......... Speed Sign Stand #2 ......... Angle Sign Stand #2 .......... Kinetic Energy #1 & #2........ Exit Conditions Speed Sign Stand #1 ......... Speed Sign Stand #2 ......... 2270P 2014 RAM 1500 4962 lb 5055 lb No dummy 5055 lb 64.0 mi/h 90° 62.5 mi/h 0° 692 kip-ft / 660 kip-ft 62.5 mi/h 61.2 mi/h Post-Impact Trajectory Stopping Distance......

Maximum Test Debris 

Sign Stand #1 ............Sign Stand #2 ............

Vehicle Damage VDS...........................

CDC...........................Max. Exterior DeformaOCDI..........................Max. Occupant Compa

Deformation at Win

Windshield Damage...

Figure 7.6. Summary of Results for MASH-2016 Test 3-72 at 90 degrees and 0 Degrees on Plasticade® SS6

Rollup Sign at 84 inches. rl""'t-------- 303' EEID--J i 6-'" rz1;n~,,.,,,1 FF.C,._•;Cl?OIIOOl=VF 10 P,(:TTQ.\' (,= 51G '· '-. ORAFOl 1/INll '-ROLLUPSIGN 
TR No. 690900-PLP19-21 39 2021-02-26 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 

i 

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FROM GROUND LEVEL BREAKAWAYS TO BOTTOM OF SIGN - ON ALL FOUR SIDES OF TU BE + 

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