US. Department 

of Tronsporto1ioo 

1200 New Jersey Ave .. SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration June 6, 20 16 

In Reply Re fo r To: 

HSST-1WZ-342 

I lenry A. Ross 

Plasticadc 

7700 N. Austin Avenue 

Skokie, IL 60077 

Dear Mr. Ross: 

This letter is in response to your October 5, 20 15 request for the federal Highway 

Administration (fl I\\IA) to review a roadside safety device. hardware. or system for eligibility 

for reimbursement under the rcderal-aid higlrna) program. This Fl I\\I1\ letter of eligibi lity is 

assigned fl IWA control number WZ-342 and is va lid until a subsequent letter is issued by 

Fl IWA that expressly references this device. 

Decision 

The following devices are eligible, with details provided in the fom1 which is attached as an 

integral part of this letter: 

• Plasticade SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base 

Scope of this Lett er 

To be found eligible for Federa l-aid funding, new roadside safety devices should meet the crash 

test and evaluation criteri a contained in the Ameri can Association of State Highway and 

Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASI I). 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 17 1 IW A, the Department of Transportation, or the United 

States Government that a vehicle crash involving the device \Viii result in any particular 

outcome, nor is it a guarantee of the in-service performance of this device. Proper 

manufacturing, installation, and maintenance arc required in order for this device to function as 

tested. 

This finding of eligibility is limited to the crash worthiness of the system and docs not cover other 

structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uni form 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 ofthe American Association of State Highway and Transportation 

Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). Therefore, the device is eligible for 

reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program ifinstalled under the range oftested 

conditions. 

Name ofsystem: Plasticade SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base 


Type of system: Work Zone Traffic Control 


Test Level: MASH TL-3 


Testing conducted by: E-Tech Testing Services, Inc. 


Date of request: October 5, 2015 


Date initially acknowledged: November 5, 2015 


Date of completed package: April 13, 2016 


FHWA concurs with the recommendation ofthe accredited crash testing laboratory as stated 

within the attached form. 

Full Description of the Eligible Device 

The device and supporting documentation, including reports ofthe crash tests or other testing 

done, videos of any crash testing, and/or drawings of the device, are described in the attached 

form. 

Notice 

If a manufacturer makes any modification to any oftheir roadside safety hardware that has an 

existing eligibility letter from FHWA, the manufacturer must notify FHWA of such modification 

with a request for continued eligibility for reimbursement. The notice of all modifications to a 

device must be accompanied by: 

o 	 Significant modifications - For these modifications, crash test results must be 

submitted with accompanying documentation and videos. 

o 	 Non-signification modifications - For these modifications, a statement from the 

crash test laboratory on the potential effect ofthe modification on the ability of 

the device to meet the relevant crash test criteria. 

FHWA's determination of continued eligibility for the modified hardware will be based on 

whether the modified hardware will continue to meet the relevant crash test criteria. 

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 of the MASH. 

Issuance of this lener 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 lctrer, (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 fult and 

complete information about the crashworthiness of the system. 

Standa rd Provisions 

• 	 To prevent misunderstanding by others. this letter or eligibility designated as fHWA 

control number WZ-342 shall not be reprod uced 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 Fl JWA to use, 

manuracture, 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 arc specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects: 

(a) they must be supplied through competitive bidding with equally suitable unpatenlcd 

items; (b) the highway agency must certify that they arc essential for synchronization 

with the existing highway facilities or that no equally suitable alternati ve exists; or (c) 

they must be used for research or for a distinctive type of construction on relatively short 

sections of road for cxperi mental purposes. Our regulations concerning proprietary 

products are contained in Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 635.4 1l. 

Sincerely yours. 

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office ofSafety 

Enclosures 
 Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 1 of 5 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility

of Highway Safety Hardware 

Submitter

 Date of Request: March 28, 2016 New Resubmission 

Name: Henry A. Ross 

Company: Plasticade 

Address: 7700 N. Austin Avenue, Skokie, IL 60077 

Country: USA

 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 ! - ! - ! 

System Type Submission Type Device Name / Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'WZ': Crash Worthy Work 

Zone Traffic Control Devices 

Physical Crash Testing 

Engineering Analysis 

Plasticade SSRB800 Sign 

Stand with Rubber Base 

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: Henry A. Ross Same as Submitter 

Company Name: Plasticade Same as Submitter 

Address: 7700 N. Austin Avenue, Skokie, IL 60077 Same as Submitter 

Country: USA 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. 

The Plasticade SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base is the commercial embodiment of intellectual property 

that is not protected by patents. Plasticade does not pay royalties for sales of the Plasticade SSRB800 Sign Stand 

with Rubber Base. The Plasticade SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base was designed and developed by 

engineers at Plasticade. 

Plasticade sponsored certain crash tests of the Plasticade SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base; such tests were 

conducted by E-Tech Testing Services, an independent, wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinity Highway. E-Tech 

Testing Services is an International Standards Organization (“ISO”) 17025 accredited laboratory with American 

Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) Mechanical Testing certificate 989.01. Full-scale crash testing on 

the Plasticade SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base was performed in accordance with testing criteria, as set 

forth by the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (“MASH”; 2009). 
 Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 2 of 5 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

New Hardware or 

Significant Modification 

Modification to 

Existing Hardware 

The Plasticade® SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base is a work zone traffic control device used to regulate, 

warn, and advise road users to traverse a section of highway or street in the proper manner. The sign holder 

consists of a 19 in x 26 in (483 x 660 mm) rubber base with aluminum vertical support structure. The sign 

holder was fitted with an industry standard 48 in x 48 in (1220 x 1220 mm) roll-up fabric sign with vertical and 

horizontal fiberglass supports on back. The overall height of the test article is 81 in (measured to the top corner 

of the sign) when deployed from its collapsed storage position. Total test article weight was 50 lb. (22.7 kg). No 

ballast (i.e. sandbags) was added to the test article for this test. 

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 crieria. 

Engineer Name: Paul Kruse 

Engineer Signature: Paul Kruse Digitally signed by Paul Kruse 

Date: 2016.05.24 06:23:21 -07'00' 

Address: 3617B Cincinnati Ave, Rocklin, CA Same as Submitter 

Country: United States Same as Submitter

 A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

3-70 (1100C) 

Test 3-70 was omitted as MASH says it is 

optional for test articles that weigh less than 

220 lbs. (100kg). 

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

Page 3 of 5 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

3-71 (1100C) 

E-TECH Test 76-0415-001 was MASH Test 

3-71 with a 2010 Hyundai Accent weighing 

2,482 lbs. impacting the test article at the 

Critical Impact Angle. It was impacted in 

both normal and perpendicular 

orientations. The test articles were 

placed19.7 ft. (6 m) apart and the second 

was turned 90 degrees relative to the first. 

The test was conducted at a 0 degree angle 

with the center of the vehicle bumper 

aligned with the vertical centerline of the 

test articles. The first impact took place with 

a normally orientated sign holder at a speed 

of 61.9 mph. The vehicle bumper impacted 

the test article approximately 18 in. (457 

mm) above ground level. The aluminum 

support hardware detached from the base 

of the vertical fiberglass stiffener and 

rotated onto the vehicle’s hood and 

windshield and initiated minimal 

windshield cracking. The second impact 

took place with a perpendicular orientated 

sign holder at 61 mph. The vehicle bumper 

contacted the test article approximately 18 

in. (457 mm) above ground level. The 

aluminum support hardware detached from 

the base of the vertical fiberglass stiffener 

and then rotated onto the vehicle’s hood 

and windshield. The top edge of the vertical 

fiberglass sign support made direct contact 

with the center of the windshield causing 

moderate windshield deformation. The test 

article did not penetrate the windshield. 

The test vehicle used sustained very minor 

damage. There were small dents in the 

hood. The windshield was broken however 

there was no tear in the plastic liner and 

deformation was 1.0 in (25 mm) and less 

than the 3 in (76 mm) allowable. There was 

no deformation of the occupant 

compartment based upon pre- and posttest measurements. The device was judged 

to have successfully met all MASH 

evaluation criteria for Test 3-71 for work 

zone traffic control devices in both normal 

and perpendicular orientations 

PASS 
Henry A. Ross Digitally signed by Henry A. Ross 


Submitter Signature*: DN: cn=Henry A. Ross, o=Plasticade, ou,


email=hross@plasticade.com, c=US 

Date: 2016.05.24 10:17:45 -05'00' 

Submit Form 

 Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 4 of 5 

3-72 (2270P) 

Test 3-72, utilizing the 2270P test vehicle, 

was opted not to be conducted strictly 

based on the test article performance of the 

1100C test vehicle used in Test 3-71. Due to 

the greater hood height of the 2270P, the 

detached sign supports are unlikely to 

travel onto the vehicle’s hood and interact 

with the windshield. Additionally, after a 

thorough video analysis, the uprights 

attached to the rubber base fractured/ 

yielded immediately upon impact thus 

eliminating the possibility of floorboard 

penetration. The rubber mat itself remained 

flat on the asphalt foundation and slid a few 

feet but never came in close proximity to 

the vehicle’s floorboard. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

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: E-Tech Testing Services, Inc. 

Laboratory Signature: Paul Kruse Digitally signed by Paul Kruse 

Date: 2016.05.24 06:25:12 -07'00' 

Address: 3617B Cincinnati Ave Same as Submitter 

Country: United States Same as Submitter 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period : 

A2LA Certificate #0989.01 dated 10/9/2013-11/30/2015 and 

11/20/2015-11/30/2017 

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. 
 Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 5 of 5 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter 

Number Date Key Words 

WZ-342 Work Zone Sign Stand 
Normal Orientation Perpendicular Orien

t = 0.000 sec t = 0.060 sec t = 0.120 sec t = 0.000 sec t = 0.060 sec 

Plasticade SSRB800

Sign Stand with Rubber Base #1

(Normal Orientation)

Plasticade SSRB800

Sign Stand with Rubber Base #2

(Perpendicular Orientation)

Plastica

General Information 

Test Agency......................................................E-TECH Testing Services, Inc.Test Designation ...............................................MASH Test 3-71Test No..............................................................76-0415-001Date ...................................................................04/13/2015 

Test Article 

Type ..................................................................Plasticade

SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base 

Dimensions .......................................................81 in OA Height x 68 in Wide

(2057 x 1727 mm) 

Material and Key Elements ..............................45 lb (20.4 kg) Sign Stand with Rubber Base Hardware, ...........................................................................5 lb (2.3 kg) Roll-up Sign with Fiberglass Supports Foundation Type and Condition .......................Asphalt, clean and dry 

Test Vehicle 

Type ..................................................................Production Model 

Designation .......................................................1100CModel ................................................................2010 Hyundai Accent Mass 

Curb ............................................................2482 lb (1126 kg)

Test Inertial ................................................2458 lb (1115 kg)Dummy ......................................................N/AGross Static ................................................2458 lb (1115 kg)

Impact Conditions 

Speed (Normal Orientation) ............................ 61.9 mi/h (9Speed (Perpendicular Orientation) .................. 61.0 mi/h (9Angle (deg) ...................................................... 0Impact Severity (Normal Orientation) ............ 315.3 ft-kip 

Impact Severity (Perpendicular Orientation) .. 305.9 ft-kip 

Exit Conditions 

Speed (Normal Orientation) ............................ 61.0 mi/h (9Speed (Perpendicular Orientation) .................. 60.2 mi/h (9Angle (Deg – veh. c.g.).................................... 0

Occupant Risk Values* Vehicle Damage 

Exterior

VDS ........................................................... FC-0CDC .......................................................... 12FCEW1

Interior

VCDI ......................................................... AS0000000 

Maximum Deformation ............................ Negligible 

Windshield ....................................................... Moderate d

* Not Applicable, device weighs less than 220 lb (100 kg). 
 19 

13 

48 

81 

68 REF 

LEVER FOR FOLD 

DOWN FLAT 

ROLL-UP 

SIGN

 26 

19 

26 

ROLL-UP 

FRAME 

SPRING BUTTON CLAMP

QUICK RELEASE 

RB800 B

SDK 012015 

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL 

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS 

DRAWING IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF 

PLASTICADE INC. 

ANY REPRODUCTION IN PART OR AS A 

WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN 

PERMISSION OF PLASTICADE INC. IS 

PROHIBITED. 

COMMENTS: 

SHEET 1 OF 3 

Q.A. 

MFG APPR. 

ENG APPR. 

CHECKED 

DRAWN 

NAME DATE

DO NOT SCALE DRAWING 

REV.

A 

SIZE DWG. NO.

SCALE:1:15 

PLASTICADE INC. 

7700 N AUSTIN AVE SKOKIE IL 

1-800-470-3300 

RUBBER BASE 

UNIVERSAL SIGN HOLDER 
17 

5 

8 

10 

3 

23 

7 

27 

6 

9 

4 

24 

25 

WEIGHT: 45 LBS 

11 

16 

26 

20 

18 

21 19 15

12 

13 14 

2 

1 

RB800 B

SDK 012015 

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL 

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS 

DRAWING IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF 

PLASTICADE INC. 

ANY REPRODUCTION IN PART OR AS A 

WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN 

PERMISSION OF PLASTICADE INC. IS 

PROHIBITED. 

COMMENTS: 

SHEET 2 OF 3 

Q.A. 

MFG APPR. 

ENG APPR. 

CHECKED 

DRAWN 

NAME DATE

DO NOT SCALE DRAWING 

REV.

A 

SIZE DWG. NO.

SCALE:1:10 

PLASTICADE INC. 

7700 N AUSTIN AVE SKOKIE IL 

1-800-470-3300 

RUBBER BASE 

UNIVERSAL SIGN HOLDER 
RB800 A

SDK 112014 

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL 

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS 

DRAWING IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF 

PLASTICADE INC. 

ANY REPRODUCTION IN PART OR AS A 

WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN 

PERMISSION OF PLASTICADE INC. IS 

PROHIBITED. 

COMMENTS: 

SHEET 3 OF 3 

Q.A. 

MFG APPR. 

ENG APPR. 

CHECKED 

DRAWN 

NAME DATE

DO NOT SCALE DRAWING 

REV.

A 

SIZE DWG. NO.

SCALE:1:10 

PLASTICADE INC. 

7700 N AUSTIN AVE SKOKIE IL 

1-800-470-3300 

RUBBER BASE 

UNIVERSAL SIGN HOLDER 
 

 

 E-TECH Testing Services

 3617B Cincinnati Avenue A Trinity Highway 

Products Company Rocklin, CA 95765 

 Phone: 916-644-9102 

Fax: 916-645-3653 

April 13, 2016 

Plasticade 

7700 N. Austin Ave. 

Skokie, IL 60077 

Attn: Henry Ross, Director of Government Relations 

Ref: SSRB800 Sign Stand with Rubber Base 

Subj: Test Vehicle Hood Height (MASH 1100C) 

To Henry Ross: 

On April 13, 2015, E-TECH Testing Services conducted E-TECH Test No. 76-0415-001 on your 

SSRB800 Sign Stand. MASH Test 3-71 was conducted on sign stands equipped with a roll-up sign and a 

rubber base with an overall height of 81 inches. The purpose of this letter is to clarify a discrepancy 

concerning the test vehicle’s measured hood height as reported in E-TECH Test Report No. 434. 

Per Table 4-1 in MASH, the hood height measurement for an 1100C test vehicle should be 60 ± 10 cm. 

Our test vehicle hood height was measured at 73 cm which is outside of the specified range. Due to the 

rounded shaped of the test vehicles hood, which is representative of most vehicles six years old or newer, 

there is some ambiguity on where to take the measurement. The test vehicle used in this test was fully 

representative of an 1100C vehicle per MASH specifications. This is an ongoing topic discussed 

amongst several crash testing laboratories. 

E-TECH thoroughly reviewed the videos of this crash test and confidently conclude that the hood height 

discrepancy does not affect the test article to test vehicle interaction whatsoever. The critical vehicle 

vehicle dimensions are the front bumper height and hood length. The front bumper initiates the release of 

the upper sign section and the hood length determines the initial point of contact of the test vehicle’s 

windshield. Minor variations in hood heights produce an inconsequential affect to the test results of this 

test. 

Please feel free to contact us directly if there are additional questions and/or comments regarding this 

judgment. 

Best regards, 

Paul L. Kruse, PE 

E-TECH Manager 

paul.kruse@trin.net