US.Deportrne1I 

of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave .. SE 

Washington. D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration March 31, 20 16 

In Reply Refer To: 

1-IHST/CC-57E 

Mr. Bret Eckert P.E. 

Engineering Applications Manager 

Trinity I Iighway Products 

36 I 7 Cincinnati Avenue 

Rocklin. CA 95677 

Dear Mr. Eckert: 

This letter is in response to your December 16. 20 15 request for the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA) to review a roadside salety device. hardware, or system for eligibility 

for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. This Fl IW /\Jetter or eligibility is 

assigned FH\V/\control number CC-57E and is valid uncil a subsequent teller is issued by 

Fil WA that expressly references this device. 

Decision 

The following devices arc eligible, with details provided in the form which is attached as an 

integral part or this letter: 

• QuadGuard® Elite System ModHication 

Scope of this Letter 

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

crash test and evaluation criteria in place at the time the device, hardware or system is initially 

presented to FHW/\ for an eligibility determination. The applicable crash test and evaluation 

criteria is contained in the National Cooperative f righway Research Program (NC HRP) Report 

350 (Report 350). 

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

regulate the manufacture of roadside safety devices. The detem1ination of eligibility for Fedcralaid reimbursement contained in Lhis letter is based solely on a review of crash test results and 

certifications submitted by the manufacturer. and the crash test laboratory. 

This eligibility letter docs not establish approval, certification or endorsement of the device for 

any particular purpose or use. 
2 

Proper manufacturing, installation, and maintenance are required for this device to function as 

tested. Even so, there are multiple factors involved in a vehicle crash such as vehicle speed or 

the aspect ofthe vehicle to the device at the time ofimpact that can influence the outcome of a 

vehicle crash with any roadside hardware. This letter is not a determination by the FHW A, the 

Department ofTransportation, or the United States Government that a vehicle crash involving 

this device will result in any particular outcome, nor is it a guarantee ofthe in-service 

performance ofthis device. 

This finding of eligibility is limited to the device's compliance, at the time of testing, with the 

applicable crash test and evaluation criteria. It does not cover other structural features, nor 

conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

Eligibility for Reimbursement 

FHW A previously issued an eligibility letter for the roadside safety device, hardware or system 

described in FHWA eligibility letter with control number [insert control number]. This letter 

identifies a modification to that roadside safety device, hardware or system. 

The original roadside safety device information is: 

Name ofsystem: QuadGuard Elite 

Type ofsystem: Crash Cushion 

Date oforiginal request: September 8, 1998 

Date oforiginal FHW A eligibility letter: December 30, 1998 

FHW A Control number: CC-57 

The pending modification(s) consists ofthe following changes: 

1. Removed belt nose pullout bracket slots. 

2. Lengthened threaded stud on the nose cylinder to diaphragm mounting hardware. 

3. 	 Updated stamping of logo on nose cylinder and increased nose cylinder attachment hole 

clearance. 

4. 	 Revised size of restoration limiting chain bracket attachment holes in QuadBeam panels from 

22millimeter diameter to 22millimeter x 28millimeter slots. 

Based on the crash test results and/or certifications submitted by the manufacturer and the crash 

test laboratory, FHWA finds that the device described herein meets the crash test and evaluation 

criteria ofNational Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350. Therefore, 

the device with the above listed modifications is eligible for reimbursement under the Federalaid highway program. 

It is the responsibility of the user ofthe hardware, the manufacturer of the hardware, and the 

contractor installing this device to ensure that this device is appropriate for the location, and 

installed and maintained properly. 

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. 
3 

Notice 

Ifa manufacturer makes any modification to any roadside safety hardware that has an existing 

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

Information that describes the significance of a modification is located in FHWA's policy memo 

Roadside Safety Hardware-Federal-aid Reimbursement Eligibility Process dated May 21, 2012. 

The notice of any modification(s) 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, and 

o 	 a request for FHWA's review for continued eligibility for reimbursement. 

FHWA's determination ofcontinued 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, 

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

and evaluation criteria of the Report 350. 

We reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter should the FHWA determine that the 

qualification testing was flawed, that in-service performance of this device reveals safety 

problems, or that the system is different from what is described in this letter and its 

accompanying documentation. 

Standard Provisions 

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

used for the purpose ofthe creation ofa new and/or the update ofan existing Task Force 

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

currently referenced in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide. 

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

control number CC-57E shall only be reproduced 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. 
4 

This letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by Lhe FHWA lo use, 

manufacture, or sell any patented system for which the applicant is not the patent holder. 

ff the 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. Regulations concerning proprietary products 

are contained in Title 23, Code ofFederal Regulations, Section 635.4 1 I. 

Sincerely yours, 

Michael S. Grif"lilh 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office ofSafety 

Enclosures 
Date of Request: March 24, 2016 \New r. Resubmission I 

Name: Bret R. Eckert, P.E. 

... Company: cu Trinity Highway Products, LLC ... 

~ 

E Address: 3617 Cincinnati Ave., Rocklin, CA 95765

.c 

:I Country: II) USA 


Michael S. Griffith, Director 
 To: FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 1 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

of Highway Safety Hardware 

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

highway program. 

11-1-11 

System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

level 

'CC': Crash Cushions, 

Attenuators, & Termlnals 

("'Physical Crash Testing 

(i' Engineering Analysis 

QuadGuard0 Elite 

NCHRP Report 350 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 NCHRP Report 350 (Report 350) and that 

the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the Report 350. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: Bret R. Eckert, P.E. Same as Submitter 181 

Company Name: Trinity Highway Products, LLC Same as Submitter 181 

Address: 3617 Cincinnati Ave., Rocklin, CA 95765 Same as Submitter 181 

Country: USA Same as Submitter 181 

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

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document. 

The QuadGuard0 Elite technology is the commercial embodiment of intellectual property that is protected by 

patents that are owned by Trinity Highway Products, LLC (THP). THP does not pay royaltles for sales of the 

QuadGuard• Elite system. The QuadGuard• Elite system was designed and developed by engineers at Energy 

Absorption Systems Inc. (EAS). The patent holders of record for the QuadGuard• Elite system are Michael H. 

Oberth and John V. Machado and both, Mr. Oberth as well as Mr. Machado, were employed by EAS. The 

associated United States Patent Office patent application numbers (5,797,592 &5,733,062) are assigned to 

Energy Absorption Systems, Inc./ Trinity Industries, Inc. 

EAS sponsored certain crash tests ofthe QuadGuard• Elite system; such tests were conducted by E-Tech Testing 

Services, an independent, wholly-owned subsidiary ofTHP. 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 aash testing on the QuadGuard• Elite system was performed In 

accordance with testing criteria, as set forth by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (•NCHRP") 

In the NCHRP Report 350 (1993). 
Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 2 of 4 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

New Hardware or Modification to IN SI 'fl t • on­ ni can ('Significant Modification (i' Existing Hardware g 

Original submission date December 23, 2015. The QuadGuard., Elite System Attenuator (QG Elite) was originally 

accepted on December 30, 1998 with FHWA eligibility letter HNG-14/CC-57 as a NCH RP 350 n-3 Crash Cushion 

and as aTL-2 device on June 17, 1999 with FHWA eligibility letterTMHS/CC-57A. It was subsequently accepted 

with modifications on August 15, 2007 with FHWA eligibility letter HSSD/CC-578 forTL-3 and on November 14, 

2008 as aTL-2 device with FHWA eligibility letter HSSD/CC-57C. The QuadGuard., Elite Is a nongatlng 

redirective crash cushion product family. The system utilizes reusable high density polyethylene (HOPE) plastic 

energy absorbing cylinders. The cylinders are mounted within the traditional QuadGuard., collapsible frame. 

This request for continued eligibility is to notify the FHWA of necessary revisions that have occurred since May 

18, 2015. All revisions have been justified through engineering analysis and judgement and have been 

determined to be either non-significant, effect Is positive or Inconsequential and will have no bearing on the astested performance ofthe system. These revisions Include the following: 

1. Removed belt nose pullout bracket slots. (4058) 

2. Lengthened threaded stud on the nose cylinder to diaphragm mounting hardware. (4058) 

3. Updated stamping of logo on nose cylinder and Increased nose cylinder attachment hole clearance. (4058) 

4. Revised size of restoration limiting chain bracket attachment holes In QuadBeam panels from 22mm 

diameter to 22x28mm slots. 

These non-significant changes will NOT affect the as tested performance of the system. 

CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description Evaluation Results

3-30 (820() 

Test 3-30 was waived for the QuadGuard Elite In FHWA 


Eligibility letter CC-57 based on tests 3-31 on the narrowest 


unit and test 3-32 on the widest unit appeared most critical. 


The non-significant modifications described In the Product 


Description will have no bearing on the as-tested 


performance ofthe QuadGuard• Elite system. 


Non-Critical, not conducted 

S3-30 (700C Not Applicable. Test 53-30 Is an optional test and not


required for QuadGuard• Elite system eliglblllty. 


3-31 (2000P) 

Test No. 01-7611-002, Test Date October9, 1998,Test Report 


"NCHRP Report 350 Crash Test Results for the QuadGuard., 


Elite System, Final Report, Project No. 01-7611, November


1998. The non-significant modifications described In the 


Product Description will have no bearing on the as-tested 


performance ofthe QuadGuard., Elite system. 


PASS
Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 3 of 4 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description Evaluation Results 

3-32 (820C) 

Test No. 01-7611-001, Test Date September 29, 1998, Test 

Report "NCHRP Report 350 Crash Test Results for the 

QuadGuard• Elite System, Final Report, Project No. 01-7611, 

November 1998. The non-significant modifications described 

in the Product Description will have no bearing on the astested performance ofthe QuadGuard• Elite system. 

PASS 

53-32 (700C) Not Applicable. Test 53-32 ls an optional test and not 

required for QuadGuard• Elite system eligibility. 

3-33 (2000P) 

Test 3-33 was waived for the QuadGuard\?) Elite In FHWA 

Eligibility letter CC-57 based on tests 3-31 on the narrowest 

unit and test 3-32 on the widest unit appeared most critical. 

The non-significant modifications described in the Product 

Description will have no bearing on the as-tested 

performance ofthe QuadGuard" Elite system. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

3-34 (820C) Not Applicable. Test 3-34 is for redirective, gating devices and 

not applicable for QuadGuard\?) Elite system ellglbllity. 

53-34 (700C) Not Applicable. Test S3-34 is an optional test and not 

required for QuadGuard!) Elite system eligibility. 

3-35 (2000P) Not Applicable. Test 3-35 ls for redirective, gating devices and 

not applicable for QuadGuard.. Elite system eligibility. 

3-36 (820C) 

Test 3-36 was waived for the QuadGuardai Elite In FHWA 

Eligibility letter CC-57 based on tests 3-31 on the narrowest 

unit and test 3-32 on the widest unit appeared most critical. 

The non-significant modifications described in the Product 

Description will have no bearing on the as-tested 

performance of the QuadGuard" Elite system. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

53-36 (700C) Not Applicable. Test 53-36 is an optional test and not 

required for QuadGuard\?) Elite system eligibility. 

3-37 (2000P) 

Test 3-37 was waived for the QuadGuard• Elite In FHWA 

Eligibility letter CC-57 based on tests 3-31 on the narrowest 

unit and test 3-32 on the widest unit appeared most critical. 

The non-significant modifications described In the Product 

Description will have no bearing on the as-tested 

performance ofthe QuadGuard" Elite system. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

3-38 (2000P) 

Test 3-38 was waived for the QuadGuardai Elite in FHWA 

Eligibility letter CC-57 based on tests 3-31 on the narrowest 

unit and test 3-32 on the widest unit appeared most critical. 

The non-significant modifications described In the Product 

Description will have no bearing on the as-tested 

performance ofthe QuadGuard" Elite system. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

3-39 (2000P) 

Test 3-39 was waived for the QuadGuard0 Elite In FHWA 

Eligibility letter CC-57 based on tests 3-31 on the narrowest 

unit and test 3-32 on the widest unit appeared most critical. 

The non-significant modifications described In the Product 

Description will have no bearing on the as-tested 

performance ofthe QuadGuard" Elite system. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

3-40 (2000P) Not Applicable. Test 3-40 Is for nonredirectlve, gating devices 

and not applicable for QuadGuard• Elite system eligibility. 

53-40(7000 

Not Applicable. Test 53-40 Is optional test for nonredlrective, 

gating devices and not applicable for QuadGuard•system 

eligibility. 

3-41 (2000P) Not Applicable. Test 3-41 is for nonredirective, gating devices 

and not applicable for QuadGuard• Elite system eligibility. 
Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 4 of 4 

3-42 (820() Not Applicable. Test 3-42 is for nonredirectlve, gating devices 

and not applicable for QuadGuard* Elite system eligibility. 

S3-42 (700() 

Not Applicable. Test 53-42 is optional test for nonredirective, 

gating devices and not applicable for QuadGuard" Elite 

system eligibility. 

3-43 (2000P) Not Applicable. Test 3-43 is for nonredirective, gating devices 

and not applicable for QuadGuard• Elite system eligibility. 

3-44 (2000P) Not Applicable. Test 3-44 is for nonredirective, gating devices 

and not applicable for QuadGuard• Elite system eligibility. 

Full Scale Crash Testing was done in compliance with NCH RP Report 350 by the following accredited 

crash test Laboratory. By signature below, the Laboratory agrees in support of this submission that all 

critical and relevant crash tests for the device listed above were conducted. (cite the laboratory's 

accreditation status as noted in the crash test reports.): 

Testing laboratory's signature concurs that th ese modifications are considered Non-Significant. 

Laboratory Name: E-Tech Testing Services, Inc. 

laboratory Signature: Paul Kruse Digitall y signed by Paul Kruse 

Date: 2016.03.24 14:22:01 -07'00' 

Address: 3617B Cincinnati /\ve., Rocklin, CA 95765 Same as Submitter 0 

Country: USA Same as Submitter l:8J 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current A2LA Certificate# 989.01, November 20, 2015 thru November 30, 2017 

Accreditation period : 

Otgit.t'ly $.lgnt'd by 

Submitter Signature*: Bret Eckert P. E. ~~ =:~~~"".. D.ltr::2i)l6Dl..1C 1S.2S:oel OtoaSubmit Form 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this fonn: 

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 Porce-1 3 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 perfomrnnce of the device should also be submitted 

to fac ilitate our review. 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter AASHTO TF13 

Number Date Designator Key Words 
PULLOUT BRACKET SLOTS 


BELT NOSE WITH 

ALTERNATE BELT NOSE 

WITHOUT PULLOUT BRACKET SLOTS 

QUADGUARD®ELITE 

BELT NOSE W/O 

PULLOUT BRACKET SLOT 

TRINITY 

l-llOHWAV 
MODIAEDNOSECYUNDER STUDS 

FOR BAY 1 

QUADGUARo® ELITE 

MODIFIED NOSE CYLINDER STUD 

TRINITY 

U !GHWAV 
ENLARGED MOUNTING HOLES UPDATED LOGO STAMPING 

QUADGUARD®ELITE 

NOSE CYLINDER IDENTIFICATION 

AN D HOLE DIAMETER 
ORIGINAL 

ATTACHMENT HOLES 

QUADGUARD®ELITE 

DIAPHRAGM HOLES 

TO SLOTS 

TRINITY 

MODIFIED 

ATTACHMENT SLOTS