U.S. Department 

ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration 

September 3. 20 14 In Reply Refer To: 

HSST/ B-39D 

Ms. Maggie Ellis 

General Manager 

Mondo Polymer Technologies 

P.O. Box 250 

Reno Ohio 45773 

Dear Ms. Ellis: 

This Letter is in response to your request for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to 

review a roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbmsement under the Federal-aid highway 

program. 

Name of system: Mondo Polymer Blackout fo r MGS 

Type ofsystem: MGS W-Beam Guardrail offset block 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 3 

Testing conducted by: Midwest Roadside Safety Facility 

Task Force 13 Design ator: PPB02 

Date ofrequest: September 4, 2013 

Decision: 


The following device is e ligible, with details provided in the form which is attached as an 


integral part 0 rthis letter: 


• 	 Mondo Polymer Blockout w-bearn guardrail offset block for Midwest Guardrail System 

(MGS) 

Based on a review of crash test results submitted by the manufactmer certifying the device 

described herein meets the crash test and evaluation criteria of the Ameri can Association of State 

Highway and Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), the 

device is eligible for re imbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. Eligibility for 

reimbursement under the federal-aid highway program does not establish approval or 

endorsement by the FHWA for any particular purpose or use. 

The FHWA, the Department ofTransportation. and the United States Government do not 

endorse products or services and the issuance of a reimbursement eligibility letter is not an 

endorsement of any product or service. 
2 

Requirements 


To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, roadside safety devices should meet the crash test 


and evaluation criteria contained in the American Association of State Highway and 


Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). 


Description 


The device and supporting documentation are described in the attached form. 


Summary and Standard Provisions 


Therefore, the system described and detailed in the attached form is eligible for reimbursement 


and may be installed under the range of conditions tested. 


Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHW A eligibility letters: 


• 	 This letter provides a AASHTO/ARTBA/AGC Task Force 13 designator that should be 

used for the purpose of the creation of a new and/or the update of existing Task Force 13 

drawing for posting on the on-line 'Guide to Standardized Highway Barrier Hardware' 

currently referenced in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide. 

• 	 This finding of eligibility does not cover other structural features ofthe systems, nor 

conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

• 	 Any changes that may influence system conformance with MASH will require a new 

reimbursement eligibility letter. 

• 	 Should the FHW A discover that the qualification testing was flawed, that in-service 

performance reveals safety problems, or that the system is significantly different from the 

version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter. 

• 	 You are expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and 

installation 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 the MASH. 

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

B-39D and 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 at our office 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. 

The FHWA does not become involved in issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if 

any, are to be resolved by the applicant. 

• 	 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 
3 

sections of road for experimental purposes. Our regulations concerning proprietary 

products arc contained in Tille 23. Code of Federal Regulations. Section 635.411. 

Sincerely yours. 

Michael S. Griffi th 

Director. Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 2 of 5 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

OfHighway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: September 4, 2013 ("'New ~submission 

Name: Maggie Ellis Signature: '"1U.4 (J (~ ?[(;', ... Company: Mondo Polymer Technologies, Inc. 
 ou ~ Address:
 ·e P.O. Box 250 Reno, OH 45773 

.D 

:s Country: Ill United States ofAmerica 


Michael S. Griffith, Director 
 To: FHWA, Office ofSafety Technologies 

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

highway program. 

I Help I 

System Type Submission Type Device Name / Variant Testing Criterion Test

Level 

'B': Barriers (Roadside, 

Median, Bridge Ralllngs) 

(e' Physical Crash Testing 

("' FEA & V&V Analysis 

Mondo Polymer Blackout 

for steel post G4 W-beam 

and Thrle-beam guardrail 

systems 

AASHTOMASH ru

By submitting this request for review and evaluatlon by the Federal Highway Administration, I certify 

thatthe 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. 

Identification of the Individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: 

Company Name: 

MaggfeEH!s Same as Svbmitter 18} 

Mondo Polymer Technologies, Inc. Same as Submitter r2J 

Address: P.O. Box 250 Reno, OH 45773 Same as Submitter r2J 

Country: United States ofAmerica Same as Submitter 181 
Version 7 .O (3/13) 

Page 3 of 5 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 


(" Modification to I, New Hardware <l Existing Hardware INon-Slgnlftcant- Effect is posftfve or Inconsequential 

In February 2002, Mondo POiymer Tech. developed a recycled composite blockout for use In the G4 W-beam 

and thrle-beam guardrail systems. We sponsored a full scale crash test of the G4 W-beam blackout at Texas 

Transportation Institute. The dimensions of the blackout tested were 360 mm long by 102 mm wide at the 

block/guardrail Interface and flare out to 152 mm at the post/block Interface. A10 mm deep by 108 mm wide 

recess accommodated the post flange, making the effective depth ofthe block 194 mm. The block weighs 

approximately 7 lbs. 

NCHRP Report 350 test designation 3-11 was performed on the G4 W-beam guardrail system with the above 

described block. The vehlde was contained and redirected and the blackout maintained their structural 

Integrity during the Impact event On March 27, 2002, FHWA approved the composite Mondo Blackout under 

approval number HSA-1 OIB-39A. 

On February 2, 2006, Mondo Polymer requested permission from FHWA to narrow the •routed tabs• that hold 

the MondoBlock vertically to a steel guardrail post. The original width of these •routed tabs• were 22 mm. Our 

request was to narrow these •routed tabs• to a width of 11 mm. 

In an emall sent from Richard Powers to Maggie Eiits on February 2, 2006, Mr. Powers wrote•..Jt Is my opinion 

that redudng the overall size (length and thickness) of the routed "tabs• that hold your MondoBlock vertically 

to a steel guardrail post will not adversely affect Its Impact performance as long as the depth of this route 

(approx. 3/8-lnch) remains unchanged.• 
Required Test Narrative 

Number Description Evaluation Results 

On February 5, 2013, University ofNebraska Midwest Roadside 

Safety Fadllty conducted two dynamic component tests In lieu of 

full scale aash tests. MwRSF Research Repon No. TRP-03-289-13 

lnduded the setup of both Mondo Polymer Tech., composite 

blodcout (Test no. MOND0-1) and a standard, 12-ln. SYP wood 

blackout (Test no. MOND0-2) both on a standard W6-8.S 

(W152x12.6) steel posts. Both tests were conducted with a bogle 

vehicle Impacting at target lmpace conditions of a speed of20 mph 

(32.2 km/h) and an angle of Odegrees, creating a dasslc •head-on• 

or full frontal Impact and strong axis bending. 

Based on the results of the two crash tests, no significant 

differences were observed between the performance of the wood 

3-1 O(11 OOC) and plastic spacer bloclcs. Both blocks displayed slmllar levels of WAJVER REQUESTED 


permanent damage after Impact. Analysis showed that the plastic 

block remained firmly attached to the post during the Impact 

event. No concerns were observed with regards to the dynamic 

performance or the structural Integrity of the plastic blackout when 

compared with the wood blockout 

!This testing Is being referenced because the dimension of the 

arouted tabs° on the composite Mondo Blockout used In this test. 

are the same dimension of 11 mm which we are requesting for our 

G4 W-beam and thrle-beam blockouts. 

FHWA approved this referenced blockout on July 29, 2013, under 

approval no. HSST/B-39C. 

On February 5, 2013, University of Nebraska Midwest Roadside 

Safety Facility conducted two dynamic component tests In lieu of 

full scale crash tests. MwRSF Research Report No. 'TRP-03-289-13 

lnduded the setup of both Mondo PolymerTech., composite 

blockout (Test no. MOND0-1) and a standard, 12-tn. SYP wood 

blockout (Test no. MOND0-2) both on a standard W6-85 

(W152x12.6) steel posts. Both tests were conducted with a bogle 

vehlde Impacting at target lmpace conditions of a speed of 20 mph 

(32.2 km/h) and an angle of Odegrees1 creating a classic •head-on• 

or full frontal Impact and strong axis bending. 

Based on the results of the two crash tests, no significant 

differences were observed between the performance of the wood 

3-11 (2270P) 
 and plastic spacer blocks. Both blocks displayed similar levels of WAIVER REQUESlED 

permanent damage after Impact. Analysis showed that the plastic 

block remained firmly attached to the post during the Impact 

event No concerns were observed with regards to the dynamic 

performance or the structural Integrity of the plastic blackout when 

compared with the wood blockout. 

This testing Is being referenced because the dimension of the 0 routed tabs• on the composite Mondo Blockout used In this test, 

are the same dimension of 11 mm which we are requesting for our 

G4 W-beam and thrie-beam blockouts. 

FHWA approved this referenced blockout on July 29, 2013, under 

approvalno.HSST/B-39C. 

3-20 (11000 Not applicable 

Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 4 of 5 
Version 7.0 (3/13} 

Page 5 of 5 

CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description Evaluation Results

3-21 (n70P) Not applicable 

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: Midwest Roadside Safety Facility 

Laboratory Contact: Karla Lechtenberg, M.S.M.E., E.l.T. Same as Submitter 0 

Address: 

Country: 

Nebraska Transportation Center 

University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

130 Whittier Research Center 

220 Vine Street 

Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0853 

United States of America 

Same as Submitter 0 

Same as Submitter O 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Date: 2937.01 

ATIACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 

1) A copy of the fu ll test report, video, and a Test Data Summary Sheet for each test conducted in 

support of this request. 

2) Adrawing or drawings of the device(s) that conform to the Task force-13 Drawing Specifications 

lttardWiire Gulde D!iwJngSt9ndardsJ. 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. 

EHWA Official Business Onlv: 

Eligibility letter AASHTOTF13 

Number Date Designator Key Words 
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MONDO POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES 


RECYCLED POLYMER OFFSET BLOCK 

DRJGJNAL STEEL POST MODEL GB14SH 

P.O. BOX 250 REND, DH 45773 

DOCUMENT # 600.00lA 

~ c 

I 

I 1 --------­

I I 1 

- - "r---- - -­ 1 I I I 1 4 1/2 [[114.30] I I I ,I I 

I ' ~~-

I 

1-­ tolero.nce on bolt holes

[3603ll Q / 


toleronce on bolt holes +/-1/16~ 

o.Ll others +/-1/4• 

MONDO POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES 


RECYCLED POLYMER OFFSET BLOCK 

REVJSED STEEL POST MODEL GB14SH1 

P.O. BOX 250 REND, DH 45773 

DOCUMENT # 600.00!B 

Ill~>/ ~ 

5 1/8 [130.18] +/-1/16~ 

o.Ll others +/-1/4•unless 

specified 

­

­