On November 30, 2012, the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Safety issued eligibility 

letter B-232A for the CASS S3 MASH. The Office of Safety has recently made updates to its 

eligibility letter website to be more consistent with the 2nd Edition of American Association of 

State Highway and Transportation Officials’(AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware

(MASH) and the additional test matrices for cable barriers therein. These updates have 

necessitated the modification of certain eligibility letters including B-232A. The modification 

for B-232A consists of adding the phrase “TL4 on Level Terrain” after the original description of 

the device to indicate the as-tested conditions for the device. Additionally, the language of this 

eligibility letter has been updated to be consistent with current Office of Safety policy for the 

issuance of eligibility letters. 

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: 

• CASS S3 MASH TL-4 on Level Terrain 

 

 

U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Highway 

Administration 

June 19, 2020 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1/B-232C 

Greg Neece 

Trinity Highway Products, LLC 

2525 North Stemmons Freeway 

Dallas, Texas 75207 

Dear Mr. Neece: 

Please note that this modification to letter B-232A will in no way affect the eligibility for the 

associated device as was determined on November 30, 2012. This FHWA letter of eligibility is 

assigned FHWA control number B-232C and is valid until a subsequent letter is issued by 

FHWA that expressly references this device. This letter will supersede the original B-232A 

letter in full. 

Additionally, in accordance with original letter B-232A, this system is eligible only when 

installed on the as-tested level terrain under MASH TL4 criteria and excludes 1V:6H or flatter as 

requested on the attached form under project development. 

Decision 

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 
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. 

2 

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. 

Eligibility for Reimbursement 

Name of system: CASS S3 TL4 on Level Terrain 

Type of system: Longitudinal Barrier 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 4 (TL4) 

Testing conducted by: Texas Transportation Institute 

Date of request: August 28, 2012 

FHWA concurs with the recommendation of the accredited crash testing laboratory on 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, 
3 

mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for review, and that it will meet the test 

and evaluation criteria ofAASHTO' s MASH. 

Issuance ofthis 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 ofyour 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 ofthe system. 

Standard Provisions 

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

control number B-232C 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 ofvalidity, 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 4.1 (10/11) 

Page 1 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: August 28, 2012 

.. Name: Brian Smith ! 

e 

,Q

:, 

"' 

Company: Trinity Highway Products, LLC 

Address: 2525 N. Stemmons Freeway Dallas, Texas 75207

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. 

System Type 

Test 

Device Name/ Variant Testing Criterion Level 

'B': Barriers (Roadside, Median, Bridge CASSS3 MASH AASHTO MASH - TL4 

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 test/ evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the MASH. 

Identification of the individua I or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: Brian Smith 

Company Name: Trinity Highway Products, LLC 

Address 1: 2525 N. Stemmons Freeway 

Address 2: 

City/State/Zip: Dallas, TX 75207 

Country: USA 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

Modification to Existing Hardware null 
Version 4.1 (10/11) 

Page 2 of 4 

In its HSST/8-232 letter of May 4, 2012, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) confirmed that the CASS 53 

MASH System is eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program under AASHTO MASH Test 

Level 3 criteria. 

Successful full-scale MASH Test Level 4 crash testing was recently conducted by the Texas Transportation 

Institute (TTI) on Trinity's CASS S3 MASH installed on flat terrain. Trinity Highway Products, LLC is seeking 

eligibility reimbursement status under the Federal-aid highway program for CASS S3 MASH on 1V:6H slopes or 

flatter under AASHTO MASH Test Level 4 criteria. 

CASS S3 MASH is a tensioned, four-cable barrier system that was tested with standard (non-prestretched) 

cables. The top two cables are positioned within awave-shaped slot in the web of S75x8 (S3x5.7#) structural Ibeam posts. The bottom two cables are supported on flanges of the I-beam post by 8mm (5/16 inch) hook 

bolts having the open end down, with the lowest cable located on the median-side flange and the next lowest 

cable located on the traffic-side flange. 

The proprietary S75x8 (53x5.7#) posts were installed in steel tube sleeves set in 305mm (12 inch) diameter x 

762mm (30 inch) deep concrete footings at 3.2 meters (10-foot 6-inch) spacings. The cables within the waveshaped slot are separated by a plastic spacer. A stainless steel strap is mounted on the outside of the post 

above the top cable. 

The 19mm (3/4 inch) diameter standard (non-prestretched) cables were set at heights of 450mm, 755mm, 960 

and 1070mm (17.75, 29.75, 37.875, and 42.125 inches) above the ground surface, measured to the center of 

each cable. Tension of the cables was set at 18.7 to 18.9 kN (4,200 to 4,260 pounds force) for the tests. 

Although testing was conducted with standard (non-prestretched) cables, Trinity also requests eligibility 

reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program under AASHTO MASH Test Level 4 criteria of CASS S3 

MASH with prestretched cables. 

The 195m (640 foot) test installations were anchored by TTI Breakaway Cable Anchor Terminals, accepted by 

FHWA on August 29, 2002 (CC-76) and April 23, 2007 (B-157). 

CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation 

Number Description Results 

In its HSST/B-232 letter of May 4, 2012, the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA) confirmed that the CASS S3 MASH System is 

eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program 

under AASHTO MASH Test Level 3 criteria. This was based on full-scale 

crash test with the 11 00C in 3-10 backslope testing installed in a 9.1 m (30 

foot 0 inch) wide depressed median with 4H:1 V side slopes on 3.2m (1 O 

4-10 (11 OOC) foot 6 inch) post spacing. WAIVER REQUES 

Addiitonally, in its HSSD/B-141 F letter, FHWA accepted CASS barrier 

systems described above as acceptable for use on the designated 1 V:4H 

or flatter slopes under NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3 or 4 conditions. 

This was based on full-scale crash test with the 820( in 3-1 0 foreslope 

testing installed in a 9.1 m (30 foot 0 inch) wide depressed median with 

4H:1 V side slopes on 3.2m (1 0 foot 6 inch) post spacing. 

In its HSST/B-232 letter of May 4, 2012, the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA) confirmed that the CASS S3 MASH System is 

eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program 

4-11 (2270P) under AASHTO MASH Test Level 3 criteria. This was based on full-scale WAIVER REQUES 

crash test with the 2270P in 3-11 foreslope testing installed in a 9.1 m (30 

foot 0 inch) wide depressed median with 4H:1 V side slopes on 3.2m (1 0 

foot 6 inch) post spacing. 
Version 4.1 (10/11) 

Page 3 of 4 

Required Test 

Number 

4-12 (1 0000S) 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

PASS 

MASH Test 4-12 involves a 1 0000S single-unit box-van weighing 22,000 lb 

impacting the CIP of the LON at an impact speed an angle of 90 km/h (56 

mi/h) and 15 degrees, respectively. This test Is intended to evaluate the 

strength of the LON in containing and redirecting the heavy test vehicle. 

Summary of Results: Trinity CASS S3 MASH TL-4 contained and captured 

the 1 0000S SUT. The SUT rode over the lower two cables, however, the 

top two cables contained the vehicle. Maximum dynamic deflection of 

Trinity CASS S3 TL-4 during the test was 4.9m (16.1 ft). No detached 

elements, fragments, or other debris were present to penetrate the 

occupant compartment, or present undue hazard to others in the area. 

No occupant compartment deformation was noted. The SUT remained 

upright during and after the collision event. Maximum roll angle was 0 

degrees. The 10000S SUT remained within the system. 

4-20 (1 l00C) 

4-21 (2270P) 

Transition testing was not addressed with this longitudinal barrier 

Transition testing was not addressed with this longitudinal barrier 

Transition testing was not addressed with this longitudinal barrier 

WAIVER REQUES 

WAIVER REQUES 

4-22 (10000S) WAIVER REQUES 

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 Transportation Institute 

Laboratory Contact: Dean Alberson 

Address: 

Texas A&M Riverside Campus 

Building 7091 

3100 State Highway 47 

Bryan, TX 77807 

Country: USA 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Date: Mechanical 2821.01 30 April 2013 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 

1) A copy of the Test Data Summary Sheet for each test conducted in support of this request. 

2) A drawing or drawings of the device(s) that conform to the Task Force-13 Drawing Specifications 

[Hardware Gujde 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 key to understanding the performance of the device should also be submitted to facilitate our 

review. 
Version 4.1 (10/11) 

Page 4 of 4 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter AASHTOTF13 

Number Date Designator Key Words

B-232A October 11, 2012 SGM36b 

TL4 Median & Roadside Barrier on Flat Terrain, 

Tensioned Four-Cable Barrier, Non-prestretched 

Cables, Structural I-beam Posts, Steel Tube Sleeves, 

Concrete Footings, Plastic Cable Spacer. 
0.000 s 0.211 s 0.419 s 0.630 s 

191'-11" 

-,

.l ' I, .l 

1rl'; 

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I <:::. f l -• - • p I I ---- 146" _J I,

OO'ACTPATII /·---j I, N ktU J 

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General Information 

Test Agency............................. Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) 

Test Standard Test No............ MASH Test 4-12 

TTI Test No............................. 400001-TCR42 

Date ......................................... 2010-06-25 

Test Artlcle 

Type......................................... Longitudinal Barrier 

Name ....................................... Trinity Cable Safety System (CASS) 

Installation Length ................... 640 ft 

Material or Key Elements ........ 

Soll Type and Condition ........... Conaete fooling in crush limestone, dry 

Test Vehlcle 

Type/Designation..................... 10000S 

Make and Model... ................... 1995 Freightliner F160 

Curb......................................... 12820 

Test Inertial.. ............................ 22,550 

Dummy .................................... No dummy 

Gross Static ............................. 22,500 

Impact Conditions 

Speed ....................................57.8 mi/h 

Angle .....................................14.6 degrees 

Location/Orientation .............. 

Exit Conditions 

Speed ....................................Remained in 

Angle ............................ ......... system 

Occupant Risk Values 

Impact Velocity 

Longitudinal. ...................... .3.0 fl/s 

Lateral ................................5.2 fl/s 

Ridedown Accelerations 

Longitudinal ........................ -2.0 G 

Lateral ................................ 1.7 G 

THIV ......................................6.4 km/h 

PHD ...................................... 2.1 G 

ASl ......................................... 0.15 

Max. 0.050-s Average 

Longitudinal ........................ -1.3 G 

Lateral ................................ 1.3 G 

Vertical ............................... 1.2 G 

Post-Impact Trajectory 

Stopping Distance ....................... 195 ft dwnslrm 

Within cables 

Vehicle Stablllty 

Maximum Yaw Angle ................... 23 degrees 

Maximum Pitch Angle .................. -2 degrees 

Maximum Roll Angle.................... 10 degrees 

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

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

Test Article Deflections 

Dynamic ....................................... 16.2 ft 

Permanent ................................... 14..5 ft 

Working Width ............................. 17.2 ft 

Vehicle Damage 

VDS .............................................01RFO2 

CDC.............................................01FREN2 

Max. Exterior Deformalion ........... 6.0 inches 

Max. Occupant Compartment 

Deformation ........................... 0 

Figure 5.7. Summary ofresults for MASH test 4-12 on the Trinity Cable Safety System (CASS). 
poST SPACING 

3.2 m(10'-6"). 

HIGH TENSION 

FOUR CABLES 

----- - ---- ----- - - - CASS S3x 5.7 

SYSTEM POST 

---

CASS S3 MASH SYSTEM 

....... TRINITY HIGHWAY 

"'1111111111 ~ PRODUCTS, LLC SHEET NO. DATE 

1 OF 1 7/12/2012