1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. 

Washington, DC 20590 November 21, 2007 

In Reply Refer To: HSSD/B-134C 

Mr. Barry D. Stephens, P.E. 

Sr. Vice President Engineering 

Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. 

3617 Cincinnati Avenue 

Rocklin, CA 95678 

Dear Mr. Stephens: 

Thank you for your October 19 letter requesting the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 

acceptance of your company’s unanchored Vulcan, a Vulcan-to-CMB Transition and a new 

Vulcan component called a Hinge segment as test level 3 (TL-3) devices for use on the National 

Highway System (NHS). In our November 17, 2005, letter B-134A, we accepted the use of 

Vulcan barrier to be used in conjunction with transitions in runs of CMB. Your current request 

is an extension of this previous design. You requested that we find these devices acceptable for 

use on the NHS under the provisions of National Cooperative Highway Research Program 

(NCHRP) Report 350 “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of 

Highway Features.” 

On October 19, 2007, you provided my staff with test results from a crash test conducted on a 

run of unanchored Vulcan, a Vulcan-to-CMB Transition and a new Vulcan component called a 

Hinge segment. You requested FHWA’s acceptance of this specific design which is referred to 

as the Vulcan Gate. The test results of the NCHRP Report 350 for test 3-21 are documented in 

E-TECH Testing Services’ summary dated August 2007. For this test, five (5) freestanding 

Vulcan segments were pinned together and the upstream and downstream ends were pinned to 

unanchored Hinge segments which were pinned to anchored Vulcan-to-PCMB Transition 

segments to provide longitudinal tension. The impact point was the first Vulcan segment ahead 

of the new Hinge segment. The 2000p vehicle was redirected and the reported occupant risk 

values were acceptable. The Crash Data Summary Sheet, as well as drawings for the devices are 

enclosed for reference 

The principle modification is the addition of a short steel, Vulcan-shaped segment that can act as 

a lateral hinge mechanism. The Vulcan, when configured with this new hinge section, is referred 

to as the “Vulcan Gate” and hereafter is referred to as VG. Energy conducted capacity test 3-21 

to ensure the integrity of this new configuration under TL-3 impact conditions. 
2

A typical VG system is comprised of existing Vulcan segments, two tested and accepted 

Transitions to CMB, and two new Hinge Segments. The system configuration is depicted in 

attached drawings V2000 and V6000. The new Hinges may also be used in a run of Vulcan 

barrier to create a gate opening. The Hinge is constructed of two thrie-beam panels integrated 

into side panels which identically match the cross-section of the Vulcan. The side panels are 

attached to the Hinge mid-frame by inserting tabs through slots on the Hinge mid-frame and then 

pinning the two side panels in place. Pinning is accomplished using (2) 48 mm diameter (OD) 

steel pins per side panel. The Hinge is also connected to the end Transitions and Vulcan sections 

with 48 mm diameter (OD) steel pins. When both Hinge side panels are manually removed, the 

Vulcan sections are able to pivot around the remaining 48 mm diameter (OD) steel pin. To 

minimize corrosion, all Vulcan components, including the new Hinge segment, are hot dipped 

galvanized. 

Based upon the submitted test results, we concur that the Vulcan Gate meets NCHRP Report 350 

evaluation criteria and may be used on the NHS as a TL-2 or 3 longitudinal barrier under the 

range of conditions tested, when proposed by a State or local transportation agency. We also 

agree that the successful results support the acceptance of this design using any number of 

Vulcan segments to configure a Vulcan Gate. 

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to the FHWA letters of acceptance: 

• This acceptance is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the device(s). 

• Any changes that may adversely influence the crashworthiness of the device will 

require a new acceptance letter. 

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

performance reveals unacceptable safety problems, or that the device being marketed is 

significantly different from the version that was crash tested, it reserves the right to 

modify or revoke its acceptance. 

• You will be expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design 

and installation requirements to ensure proper performance. 

• You will be expected to certify to potential users that the hardware furnished has 

essentially the same chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted 

for acceptance, and that they will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the FHWA 

and the NCHRP Report 350. 

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

B-134C, shall not be reproduced except in full. This letter, and the test documentation 

upon which this letter is based, is public information. All such letters and 

documentation may be reviewed at our office upon request. 

• The Vulcan Barrier and Vulcan Gate are patented products and considered proprietary. 

If proprietary devices are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid 

projects, except exempt, non-NHS projects, they: (a) 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 
3

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. 

• This acceptance letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the FHWA 

to use, manufacture, or sell any patented device for which the applicant is not the patent 

holder. The acceptance letter is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the 

candidate device, and the FHWA is neither prepared nor required to become involved 

in issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, are to be resolved by the 

applicant. 

Sincerely yours, 

George E. Rice, Jr. 

Acting Director, Office of Safety Design 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 

FHWA:HSSD:NArtimovich:tb:x61331:11/14/07 

File: s://directory folder/nartimovich/B13C-EnergyVulcanGate.doc 

cc: HSSD (Reader, HSA; Chron File, HSSD; N.Artimovich, HSSD 

 MBloschock, HSSD; M.McDonough, HSSD) 
VulcanTM Gate

VG5000

VG6000

VG4000

ENERGY ABSORPTION

SYSTEMS, INC.
VulcanTM Gate

VG-01 VG4 x 4

VG-01 VG6 x 6 VG-02 x 2 VG-03 x 2

VG-01 VG5 x 5

VG-01

VG-01

VG-02

VG-03

ENERGY ABSORPTION

SYSTEMS, INC.
VulcanTM Gate

Vulcan Hinge

3596005-0000

ENERGY ABSORPTION

SYSTEMS, INC.
VulcanTM Gate

VH-01 x 2 VH-02 x 2 VH-03 x 5

VH-01

VH-01

VH-02

VH-02

VH-03 VH-03

VH-04 x 1 VH-05 x 1

VH-04

VH-05

ENERGY ABSORPTION

SYSTEMS, INC.
ELEVATION (CLOSED)

PLAN (CLOSED)

ELEVATION (OPEN)

PLAN (OPEN)

DRAWN:

DESIGNED:

CHECKED:

NEXT ASSEMBLY:

DATE:

DATE:

DATE:

APPROVED: DATE:

FILE:

D. Hayes Jr

K. MortensenB. EckertVG6000.idw

8/1/2007

8/2/2007

8/2/2007

Revision Date Rev By Chk. App.

 R E F E R E N C E S 

VULCAN W/ JACKS 3596000-1000VULCAN HINGE 3596005-0000VULCAN-PCMB TRANSITION 3596008-0000

EH PROJECTSERIAL NO.SALES ORDERNO. OF UNITS

NOTES:1. SEE VULCAN BARRIER PRODUCT MANUAL FOR A DESCRIPTION OF ITS IMPACT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND DESIGN LIMITATIONS BEFORE PLACING A SYSTEM AT A GIVEN SITE. INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL COPIES OF ABOVE MANUAL ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (312) 467-6750.2. VULCAN BARRIERS NEED TO BE PINNED AND SPACERS USED.3. JACK WHEELS SHALL BE RETRACTED WHEN BARRIER IS NOT BEING MOVED.4. TRANSITIONS AND ADJACENT PCMB SHALL BE ANCHORED, SEE REFERENCE DRAWING 3596008-0000.

MEDIAN OPENING - 24.70 m [81'- 1/2"]

29.44 m [96'-7 1/4"]

CMB

(SEE NOTE 4)

VULCAN TO CMBTRANSITION ANCHORED(SEE NOTE 4)
DRAWN:

DESIGNED:

CHECKED:

NEXT ASSEMBLY:

DATE:

DATE:

DATE:

APPROVED: DATE:

FILE:

D. Standridge

JMEK. LooneyVG2000.idw

9/4/2007

9/12/2007

9/12/2007

Revision Date Rev By Chk. App.

 R E F E R E N C E S 

VULCAN W/ JACK 3596000-1000VULCAN HINGE 3596005-0000VULCAN-PCMB TRANSITION 3596008-0000

EH PROJECTSERIAL NO.SALES ORDERNO. OF UNITS

NOTES:1. SEE VULCAN BARRIER PRODUCT MANUAL FOR A DESCRIPTION OF ITS IMPACT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND DESIGN LIMITATIONS BEFORE PLACING A SYSTEM AT A GIVEN SITE. INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL COPIES OF ABOVE MANUAL ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (312) 467-6750.2. VULCAN BARRIERS NEED TO BE PINNED AND SPACERS USED.3. JACK WHEELS SHALL BE RETRACTED WHEN BARRIER IS NOT BEING MOVED.4. TRANSITIONS AND ADJACENT PCMB SHALL BE ANCHORED, SEE REFERENCE DRAWING 3596008-0000.

VULCAN TO CMBTRANSITION ANCHORED(SEE NOTE 4)

CMB

(SEE NOTE 4)

1 

1 2 

8.28 m [27'-2"]

12.91 m [42'-4 1/4"]