1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington , D.C. 20590 

September 27, 2017 In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1/B-278A 

Ms. Maggie Ellis 

Mondo Polymer Technologies, Inc. 

P.O Box 250 

Reno, OH 45773 

Dear Ms. Maggie Ellis: 

This letter is in response to your September 11 , 201 7 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 letter supersedes the original letter B-278 for the Mondo Polymer 8" Composite Block Out 

(Model # GB 14SH 1) for Steel Post Midwest Guardrail System (MGS). This FHW A letter of 

eligibility is assigned FHWA control number B-278A 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: 

• 	 Mondo Polymer 8" Composite Blockout with cut-outs (Model #GB l 4SH2) for Steel post 

Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) 

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 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 ofthe 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: Mondo Polymer 8" Composite Blockout with cut-outs (Model #GB I 4SH2) 

for Steel post Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) 

Type of system: Longitudinal Barrier 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 3 (TL3) 

Testing conducted by: Texas A&M Transportation Institute 

Date of request: September 11 , 2017 

Date initially acknowledged: September 12, 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 crash worthiness ofthe system. 
3 

Standard Provisions 

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

control number B-278A 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. 

Sincerely, 

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: September 08, 2017 I { New r. Resubmission 

Name: Maggie Ellis 

... 

QI

.... 

.... 

·e 

Company: 

Address : 

Mondo Polymer Technologies, Inc. 

P.0 Box 250 Reno, OH 45773 

..0 

:J 

Ill Country: United States 

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 I1- 1- 1I 

System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'B': Rigid/Semi-Rigid Barriers 

(Roadside, Median, Bridge 

Railings) 

(9 Physical Crash Testing 

(' Engineering Analysis 

Mondo Polymer 8" 

Composite Blockout 

with cut-outs (Model # 

GB 14SH2) for Steel post 

Midwest Guardrail 

System (MGS) 

AASHTO MASH TL3 

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: Maggie Ellis Same as Submitter ~ 

Company Name: Mondo Polymer Technologies, Inc. Same as Submitter ~ 

Address: P.O Box 250 Reno, OH 45773 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. 

With respect to the Mondo Polymer Technologies 8" Composite Blockout (Model# GB 14SH2), TTI Proving 

Ground does not hold any financial interests. Mondo Polymer Technologies contracted for the service of crash 

testing our product according to specifications for AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), for 

which TTI Proving Ground was compensated for the cost of the crash testing. No consulting relationship, 

research funding or other forms of research support, patents, copyrights, other intellectual property interests, 

licenses, contractual relationships, business ownership or investments interests are retained by the TTI Proving 

Ground. 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 2 of 4 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

(9 New Hardware or (' Modification to 

• Significant Modification Existing Hardware 

The Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) utilizes a 31-inch tall W-beam guardrail system with steel posts. Standard 

12-guage, galvanized W-beam sections (RWM04A) were installed with the top of the W-beam rail set at 31 

inches above grade, and guardrail splices were located mid-span between every other post. The posts are 

PWEOl line posts fabricated from W6x8.5 structural shape and ASTM A36 steel, embedded 40 inches. The 

Mondo Polymer Technologies composite offset block with cut-outs (Model# GBl 4SH2) were attached to the 

steel posts using 5/8" diameter x 1 O" long button-head guardrail bolts and recessed nuts (FBB03). 

The dimensions of the Mondo Polymer Composite Blackout (GB 14SH2) are 14.19 inches long by 4 inches wide 

at the block/guardrail interface and remain constant for 6.98 inches before flaring out to 5.13 inches at the 

post/block interface. A .38 inch deep by 4.25 inch wide recess accommodates the post flange, making the 

effective block depth 7.63 inches. There are two bolt holes that are .74 inches at the guardrail/block interface 

and 1.06 inches at the post/block interface. There are two rectangular openings running on a parallel plain 

with the bolt holes that are 2.47 inches by 4.47 inches at the guardrail/block interface, and taper to 3.00 inches 

by 5.00 inches at the post/block interface. In addition, there are oval cut-outs on the sides of the block 

centered perpendicular to the rectangular openings. The center point of the upper ovals are 3.73 inches 

below the hanger end and 3.5 inches in from the guardrail/ block interface. The center point of the lower oval 

is 3.46 inches above the bottom face and 3.5 inches in from the guardrail/block interface. These ovals are 5 

inches by 3.75 inches. 

The guardrail block (Model # GB14SH2) is manufactured from approximately 85% Thermoplastic Polyolefins 

and 15% fillers and/or trace plastics, and weighs approximately 5.95 lbs. 

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: 

Engineer Signature: 

Roger Bligh 

Bligh, Roger P Digitally signed by Bligh, Roger P 

ON: posta1Code=77843, o"'TAMU-S IGN, street= Texas A&M University, st:TX, 

l=College Sta tion, c=US, cn"'Bligh, Roger P, email::rbligh@tamu.edu 

Date: 20 17.09.05 09: 14:38 -05'00' 

Address: 3135 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-3135 Same as Submitter 0 

Country: United States Same as Submitter 0 

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

Page 3 of 4 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

3-10 (11 OOC) 

The results of MASH Test 3-10 are 

documented in TTI Test Report No. 

690900-MON3 dated July 2017. The 31-inch 

high MGS guardrail installation with the 8­

inch guardrail offset blocks (GB 14SH2), 

contained and redirected the 11 OOC vehicle. 

The vehicle did not penetrate, underride, or 

override the installation. Maximum dynamic 

deflection was 38.7 inches. Two of the 

blackouts were separated from the posts 

and rail; however, they did not penetrate or 

show potential for penetrating the 

occupant compartment, nor present undue 

hazard to others in the area. No 

occupant compartment deformation or 

intrusion occurred. The 11 OOC vehicle 

remained upright during and after the 

impact. Maximum roll and pitch angles 

were 9 degrees and 6 degrees, 

respectively. Occupant risk factors were 

within the preferred limits specified in 

MASH . 

PASS 

3-11 (2270P) 

The results of MASH Test 3-11 are 

documented in TTI Test Report No. 

690900-MON2 dated July 2016. The 31-inch 

high MGS guardrail installation with the 8­

inch guardrail offset blocks (GB14SH2), 

contained and redirected the 2270P vehicle. 

The vehicle did not penetrate, underride, or 

override the installation. Maximum 

dynamic deflection during the test was 50.8 

inches. The blackouts separated from posts 

16­19. However, these detached elements 

did not penetrate or show potential for 

penetrating the occupant compartment, or 

present hazard to others in the area. No 

occupant compartment deformation or 

intrusion occurred. The 2270P vehicle 

remained upright during and after the 

impact. Maximum roll and pitch angles 

were 26 degrees and 11 degrees, 

respectively. Occupant risk factors were 

within the preferred limits specified in 

MASH. 

PASS 

3-20 (11 OOC) 

Optional Test not performed. This offset 

block component submission is for a stand 

alone LON barrier system only, not for 

transition to any stiffer or more rigid barrier 

systems. Therefore, test 3-20 is not relevant. 

Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

3-21 (2270P) 

Test not performed. This offset block 

component submission is for a stand alone 

LON barrier system only, not for transition 

to any stiffer or more rigid barrier systems. 

Therefore, test 3-21 is not relevant. 

Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 
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 

Laboratory Signature: Darrell L. Kuhn Darrell L. Kuhn 

2017.09.08 09:13:30 -05'00' 

Address: 3135 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-3135 Same as Submitter D 

Country: United States Same as Submitter D 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period : 

A2LA Certificate Number 2821.01 valid until April 30, 2019 

, • Digitally signed by Maggie Ellis 

Submitter Signature*: Magg1e E11 IS Da •e,2017.09. 11 12,sa,21 

-04'00' 

Submit Form 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 


I) 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 
2 1 


M 0 N D 0 "" 

Polymer Technologies

II II II 

B 

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4l" B

16 

14" RlL8 " 0

r1' ..+J_" ¥-'4-s 


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II 8 

3 .. II

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8 II

u 

A II 

A II 

MONDO MODEL NO. 

NAME DATE

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED: DRAWN RIC K H 4/28/ 16 

GB 14SH2 THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS 

DRAWING IS THE SOLE PROPERTY Of DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES REVISION SIZE DWG. NO. REV TOLERANCES: MONDO POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES. ANY BOLT HOLES+/- 1/8" REPRODUCTION IN PART OR AS A WHOLE 

WIT HOUT THE WRlnEN PERMISSION Of MATER

ALL OTHERS+/-

IAL

1/4" COMMENTS: A MONDO POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES IS 

PROHIBITED. SCALE: 1 :6 SHEET 1 OF 1 

2 1 

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Typ a1 Posts 3 - 28 


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Elevation View 

Mondo Blockout 

Model #GB14SH2 

1a. Backfill post holes with AASHTO M147-65(2004). grade B 

crushed limestone road base. compacted to MASH standard . 

1 b. See attached drawing #GF (31) DAT-1 4 for terminal details 

Roadside Safety and 


Physical Security Division Proving Ground 


Proiect #690900-MON-3 Mondo GB 14SH2 Blockouts 2017-06-19 

Drawn by GES Scale 1 250 Sheet 1 of 1 I Test lnstallat1on 

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General Information 

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

Test Standard Test No ....... MASH Test 3-11 

TTI Test No. . .............. 690900-MON2 

Test Date ...... 2016-07-18 

Test Article 

Type ... . . Guardrail 

Name .......... . . . MGS with 8-inch Mondo Polymer 

Technology blackouts 

Installation Length .. ............. 201 ft 7 inches 

Material or Key Elements .... 31 -inch tall MGS W-beam guardrail on 

structural steel posts with redesigned 

8-inch Mondo Polymer blackouts 

Soil Type and Condition ...... AASHTO M1 47-65(2004), grading B Soil 

(crushed limestone), dry 

Test Vehicle 

Type/Designation .. ... .. . 2270P 

Make and Model 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 Pickup 

N Curb . . ................... ...... 5006 lb 0 Test Inertial. .... ... ... 5042 lb 

O'I Dummy .. .... . ..... No dummy I Gross Static .. . . . . .. .. . .. .... 5042 lb 

Impact Conditions 

Speed ... ... ... .. 66.3 mi/h 


Angle ................................ 24.8 degrees 


Location/Orientation .... . . 


Impact Severity ........ .. ..130 kip-ft 

Exit Conditions 

Speed .. ....... ........ .. . ..42.2 mi/h 


Angle .. .. ..... ... ....... . .....11 .9 degrees 


Occupant Risk Values 

Longitudinal OIV ... . ............ 14.1 ft/s 

Lateral OIV .. . ..... 16.7 fits 

Longitudinal Ridedown .. ..... 5.1 g 

Lateral Ridedown . ... ...6.9 g 

THIV ... ...... ... .... .. ........ 21 ft/s (23.0 km/h) 

PHO ............... . ..... 7.5 g 

ASI.. ......... 0.63 

Max. 0.050-s Average 

Longitudinal .. ............. ..... -4.3 g 

Lateral. .. .. ....... -5.0 g 

Vertical. ....... .. .... .2.1 g 

Post-Impact Trajectory 

Stopping Distance . 

Vehicle Stability 

Maximum Yaw Angle .... . 

Maximum Pitch Angle 

. ... 216 ft downstream 

1 ft toward traffic 

. .... 29 degrees 

..... 11 degrees 

Maximum Roll Angle ................. 26 degrees 


Vehicle Snagging ...................... No 


Vehicle Pocketing .. ... .. ............. No 


Test Article Deflections 

Dynamic .. .......... ... .................... 50.8 inches 

Permanent ....... ... 30.5 inches 

Working Width .. ............. .. .. ....... 57.3 inches 

Vehicle Damage 

VOS. . . .................... 01RFQ3 

CDC ...................... ... .. ... 01FREW3 

Max. Exterior Deformation .. ... .. .. 11 .0 inches 

OCDI. .. . ........ RFOOOOOOO 

Max. Occupant Compartment 

Deformation ........................ ... . None 

I Figure 5.6. Summary of Results for MASH Test 3-11 on MGS Guardrail Installation with New 8-inch Mondo Polymer 

0 

V-J Technology Guardrail Offset Blocks. 
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0.600 s 

1 --- -1..-- 27. O' 0

13' 

fJr:gj 8.5' 

13.4° ---- ~ ~ 25.1° -1-- '7 --' (~7 -- Exit Angle Box Impact Path 

Exit Path 16.6' x 32.8' 

General Information 

Test Agency ... .. . 


Test Standard Test No . ...... 


TTI Test No. 


Test Date . 


Test Article 

Type .............. . 


Name ...... . .............. . 


Installation Length .. ... . 


Material or Key Elements ... 


Soil Type and Condition .... 

Test Vehicle 

Type/Designation 


Make and Model .. .. ........ ... . 


Curb .................. . 


Test Inertial. ........ . ...... 


Dummy ..... . 


Gross Static .. ...... . 


Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) 

MASH Test 3-10 

690900-MON3 

2017-06-28 

Longitudinal Barrier 

MGS with Mondo 8-inch Blockout 

181 ft-3 inches 

31 -inch tall W-beam with structural steel 

posts and Mondo Blockouts (Model 

#GB14SH2) 

AASHTO M147-65(2004), grading B Soil 

(crushed limestone), damp 

1100C 

2011 Kia Rio 

24521b 

2420 lb 

1651b 

25851b 

Impact Conditions 

Speed ..... ............. 62.3 mi/h 

Angle . ...... 25.1 degrees 

Location/Orientation .... 8 ft-6 inches 

upstream of post 12 

Impact Severity ...... .... ..... ..... 58 kip-ft 

Exit Conditions 

Speed .......................... .... .. 32.8 mi/h 


Angle .. . . . . . ............ 13.4 degrees 


Occupant Risk Values 

Longitudinal OIV ... . . .... 20.3 ft/s 

Lateral OIV.. ..... . .......... 16.1 ft/s 

Longitudinal Ridedown ...... 9.5 g 

Lateral Ridedown . . . ... 7 .1 g 

THIV .... ... 26.2 km/h 

PHO ..................... ... ..... . ... 11 .1 g 

ASI. .. ... ....... .... ......... .. . ...... 0.82 g 

Max. 0.050-s Average 

Longitudinal .. .... . ..... -6.4 g 

Lateral ........................... -5.5 g 

Vertical. .. . ... -2.9 g 

Post-Impact Trajectory 

Stopping Distance .... .. . . 209 ft downstream 

13 ft twd field side 

Vehicle Stability 

Maximum Yaw Angle ... 39 degrees 

Maximum Pitch Angle 6 degrees 

Maximum Roll Angle ... ............. 9 degrees 

Vehicle Snagging ..................... No 

Vehicle Pocketing . . . .... No 

Test Article Deflections 

Dynamic ....... .. . ..... 38. 7 inches 

Permanent ... .. . ............. 17.25 inches 

Working Width. ..... . 46.5 inches 

Height of Working Width ....... 13.0 inches 

Vehicle Damage 

VOS. . ..... 01RFQ5 

CDC ..... ......... 01FREW4 

Max. Exterior Deformation ....... . 10.0 inches 

OCDI ....... .. RFOOOOOOO 

Max. Occupant Compartment 

Deformation .................. None. 

00 

I 

w Figure 5.11. Summary of Results for MASH Test 3-10 on MGS Guardrail Installation with New 8-inch Mondo Polymer 

0 Technologies Guardrail Offset Blocks. 

­