U.S. Deportment 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

of Transportation Washington , D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration July 7, 2017 In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1 I CC-136 

Gerri t C. V erwij s 

Verdegro Holding BV 

Munnikenheiweg 59, 4879 NE 

Netherlands 

Dear Mr. Verwijs: 

This letter is in response to your March 7, 2017 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 FHW A control number CC-136 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: 

• Verdegro BLADE TMA 

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 ofroadside 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 ofTransportation, or the United 

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

outcome, nor is it a guarantee ofthe 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 crash worthiness of the 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 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 if installed under the range of tested 

conditions. 

Name of system: Verdegro BLADE TMA 

Type of system: Truck and Trailer Mounted Attenuator (TMA) 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 3 

Testing conducted by: Texas A&M Transportation Institute Proving Ground 

Date of request: March 7, 201 7 

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 crashworthiness of the system. 
3 

Standard Provisions 

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

control number CC-136 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 5 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: March 03, 2017 I r. New (' Resubmission 

Name: Gerrit C. Verwijs I Sjoerd de Groot 

... 

Q)

... ... ·e 

J:l 

:I 

Ill 

Company: 

Address : 

Country: 

Verdegro Holding BV 

Munnikenheiweg 59, 4879 NE 

Netherlands 

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 Fl 

System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'CC': Truck-Mounted 

Attenuators (TMA) 

(9 Physical Crash Testing 

(' Engineering Analysis 

BLADETMA 

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: Gerrit C. Verwijs I Sjoerd de Groot Same as Submitter [8:J 

Company Name: Verdegro Holding BV Same as Submitter [8:J 

Address: Munnikenheiweg 59, 4879 NE Same as Submitter [8:J 

Country: Netherlands Same as Submitter [8:J 

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

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document. 

Verdegro Holding BV is the sole and full sponsor of the tests performed on the BLADE TMA. 

All costs for development and testing at Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TII) were borne by Verdegro 

Holding BV. 

TII was compensated by Verdegro Holding BV for the crash testing services performed. 

No other financial interests exist between Verdegro Holding BV and TII nor its employees. 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 2 of 5 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

(e' New Hardware or 

• Significant Modification 

(' Modification to 

Existing Hardware 

The BLADE Truck Mounted Attenuator is a proprietary product manufactured by Verdegro Holding BV. It is 

constructed primarily of aluminum alloy with steel components and measures 2284 mm (89.9 inches) wide, 

5995 mm (236 inches) long in the deployed configuration, and 4195 mm (165 inches) long in the retracted 

position. It weighs approximately 1550 kg (3417 lbs) including the arrow board. Its design allows for the 

controlled attenuation of a vehicle. 

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 t est 

criteria. The Engineer has determined that no other crash tests are necessary to determine the device meets 

the MASH criteria. 

Engineer Name : D. Lance Bullard, Jr. 

D. Lance Bullard, Jr. Digitally signed by D. Lance Bullard, Jr. 

Engineer Signature: ON: cn=D. Lance Bullard, Jr., o=Tellas A&M Transportation Institute, 

ou=Roadside Safety and Physical Security, ema1l=L-bullard@tamu .edu, c: US 

Date: 2017.03.06 10:30:31 -06'00' 

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

Country: USA Same as Submitter D 

A brief description of each crash test and its result : 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

3-50 (1 lOOC) 

Test 690902-VERl 

The Verdegro BLADE TMA brought the 

11 OOC test vehicle to a controlled stop. 

Maximum dynamic displacement of the rear 

of the TMA during the test was 4023 mm 

(158.4 inches). No detached elements, 

fragments, or other debris were present to 

penetrate or show potential for penetrating 

the occupant compartment, or to present 

hazard to others in the area. The support 

vehicle rolled forward 1168 mm (46.0 

inches). No occupant compartment 

deformation or intrusion occurred. The 

11 OOC test vehicle remained upright during 

and after the collision sequence. Maximum 

roll and pitch angles were 5 degrees and 12 

degrees, respectively. Longitudinal OIV 

was 11 .2 mi s (36.7 ftl s), and lateral OIV was 

0.6 mi s (2.0 ftl s) . Maximum longitudinal 

ridedown acceleration was 12.0 g, and 

maximum lateral ridedown acceleration was 

5.9 g. 

PASS 
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Page 3 of 5 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

3-51 (2270P) 

Test 690902-VER2 

The Verdegro BLADE TMA brought the 

2270P test vehicle to a controlled stop. 

Maximum dynamic displacement of the rear 

of the TMA during the test was 7536 mm 

(296.7 inches). No detached elements, 

fragments, or other debris were present to 

penetrate or show potential for penetrating 

the occupant compartment, or to present 

hazard to others in the area. The support 

vehicle rolled forward 3404 mm (134 

inches). No occupant compartment 

deformation or intrusion occurred. The 

2270P test vehicle remained upright during 

and after the collision event. Ma ximum roll 

and pitch angles were 6 degrees and 7 

degrees, respectively. Longitudinal OIV 

was 8.5 mi s (27.9 ftl s), and lateral OIV was 

0.1 mi s (0.3 ftl s). Maximum longitudinal 

ridedown acceleration was 15.0 g, and 

maximum lateral ridedown acceleration was 

1.4 g. 

PASS 

3-52 (2270P) 

Test 690902-VER3 

The Verdegro BLADE TMA brought the 

2270P test vehicle to a controlled stop. 

Maximum dynamic displacement of the rear 

of the TMA during the test was 6769 mm 

(266.5 inches). No detached elements, 

fragments, or other debris were present to 

penetrate or show potential for penetrating 

the occupant compartment, or to present 

hazard to others in the area. The support 

vehicle rolled forward 3454 mm (136 

inches). No occupant compartment 

deformation or intrusion occurred. The 

2270P test vehicle remained upright during 

and after the collision event. Maximum roll 

and pitch angles were 8 degrees and 6 

degrees, respectively. Longitudinal OIV 

was 8.7 mi s (28.5 ftl s), and lateral OIV was 

2.0 mi s (6.6 ftl s). Maximum longitudinal 

ridedown acceleration was 13.8 g, and 

maximum lateral ridedown acceleration was 

4.0g. 

PASS 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 4 of 5 

3-53 (2270P) 

Test 690902-VER4 

The Verdegro BLADE TMA brought the 

2270P test vehicle to a controlled stop. 

Maximum dynamic displacement of the rear 

of the TMA during the test was 8199 mm 

(322.8 inches). No detached elements, 

fragments, or other debris were present to 

penetrate or show potential for penetrating 

the occupant compartment, or to present 

hazard to others in the area. The support 

vehicle rolled forward 4420 mm (174 

inches). No occupant compartment 

deformation or intrusion occurred. The 

2270P test vehicle remained upright during 

and after the collision event. Maximum roll 

and pitch angles were 7 degrees and 4 

degrees, respectively. Longitudinal OIV 

was 8.5 mis (27.9 ftl s), and lateral OIV was 

1.2 mi s (3 .9 ftl s) . Maximum longitudinal 

ridedown acceleration was 11 .5 g, and 

maximum lateral ridedown acceleration was 

3.5 g. 

PASS 

3-54 (1500A) This test is designated "Optional" by MASH. Non-Relevant Test, 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: 

Laboratory Signature: 

Address: 

Country: 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period : 

Texas AM Transportation Institute 

Darrell L. Kuhn Darrell L. Kuhn 

2017.03.06 10:48:49 -06'00' 

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

USA Same as Submitter D 

A2LA Certificate No. 2821 .01 

ISOl lEC 17025:2005 

Through April 30, 2017 

Digitaal ondertekend door Gerrit 

Submitter Signature*: Gerrit C. Verwijs ;~~ :;;'0110, , "'." +01'00' 

Submit Form 

ATTACHMENTS 

Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 5 of 5 

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