U.S.Deportment 

ofTrcnsportotton 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washingion, O.C. 20590 

Federal Highway June I. 2016 

Administration In Repl y Refer To: 

1 ISST- l/ WZ-320/\ 

Mr. Troy Tapley 

MDI Worl dwide 

3827 1 W. Twelve Mile Road 

Farmington Hills. Michigan 48331 

Dear Mr. Tapley: 

This letter is in response to your December 29. 2015 request for the Federal I lighway 

Administration (FHWA) to review a roadside safely device. hnr<lwarc. or system for eligibility 

for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. This Fl TWA letter of eligibility is 

ass igned Fl l\VJ\ control number \VZ-320A nnd is va lid until a subsequent letter is issued b) 

FHWA that expressly references this device. 

Decision 

The following devices are eligible. with dewils provided in the fom1 which is attached as an 

integral part of this teller: 

5012 Sign Stands with Post Tube Ivlast 

Scope of this Letter 

To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, modi fied roadside safety devicl.!s should meet the 

crash tes1 and evaluation criteria contained in the National Cooperative I lighway Research 

Program (NCHRP) Report 350. However. the r-1 IWA, the Department or Transportation, and the 

United States Government do not regul ate the rna11ufac1urc or roadside safety devices. Eligibility 

for reimbursement under Lhe Federal-aid highway program docs not establish approval. 

certification or endorsement or the device for any particular purpose or use. 

ll1is let1er is not a determination by the fl IWJ\, the Department orTransportation. or the Uni ted 

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

outcome, nor is it a guarantee of the in-service performance ofthis 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 crashwo11hiness or the system and docs not cover other 

structural fea tures. nor conformity with the Manua l on Uniform Traffic Con1rol Devices. 
2 

Eligibility for Reimbursement 

FHWA previously issued an eligibility letter for the roadside safety system described in your 

pending request. Your pending request now identifies a modification to that roadside safety 

system. 

The original roadside safety device information is provided here: 

Name ofsystem: 5012 Sign Stands with Post Tube Mast 

Type ofsystem: Work Zone Traffic Control Device 

Date of Original Request: April 13, 2012 

Date of original FHW A eligibility letter: September 4, 2012 

FHW A Control number: WZ-320 

The pending modification(s) consists ofthe following changes: 

1. 	 The legs to be constructed with steel or aluminum. In addition, the legs to be 

telescoping and non-telescoping. 

2. 	 The legs to be constructed with square tubing not to exceed 1.25 in x 1.25 in x .06 in 

[30 mm x 30 mm x 1.5 mm] and 1.00 in x 1.00 in x .06 in [25 mm x 25 mm x 1.5 

mm]. 

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 ofthe device, are described in the attached 

form. 

Notice 

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

existing eligibility letter from FHWA, the manufacturer must notify FHWA ofsuch 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. 

FHW A'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. 
3 

You are expected Lo supply potential users with sufficient information on design, installation and 

maintenru1ce requirements to ensure proper performance. 

You are expected lo certify to potential users that the hardware furnished has the snme chemistry. 

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

and evaluation criteria of the NCHRP Report 350. 

Issuance of this letter docs not convey property rights of any sort or any exclusive privilege. This 

letter is based on the premise that infonnotion and reports submitted by you are accurate and 

correct. V./e reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter if: ( l ) there arc any inaccuracies in 

the information submitted in support of your request for thjs leller, (2) the qualification testing 

was flawed, (3) in-service pe1formance or other information reveals safety problems, (4) the 

system is significantly different from the version that was crash tt:sted, or (5) any other 

infomiation indicates that the Jetter was issued in error or otherwise docs not rellect full and 

complete information about the crashworthincss of the system. 

Sta ndard P.-ov isions 

To prevent misunderstanding by others. this letter of eligibility designated as Fl !WA control 

number WZ-320/\ shall not be reproduced except in full. This letter and the test documentation 

upon which it is based are public information. /\II such lett ers and doc umentation may be 

reviewed upon request. 

This letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the FHWA 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 are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects: (a) they must be 

supplied through competitive bidding with equally suitable unpatcntcd items: (b) the highway 

agency must certify that they are essential !Or synchroni zation with lhe existing highway 

facilities or that no equally suitable alternati ve exists: or (c) they must be used for research or for 

a distinctive type or construction on relati vely short sections of road for experimental purposes. 

Our regulations concerning prop1ietary products nre contained in Title 23. Code of Federal 

Regulations, Section 635 .41 I. 

Sincerely yours. 

Michael S. Grinith 

Director. Office or Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 1 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

ofHighway Safety Hardware 

... 

cu 

.~ 

E 

.0 

:s 

V) 

Date of Request: 

Name: 

Company: 

Address: 

Country: 

To: 

Decernber29,2015 I ('New 

Troy Tapley 

MDI Worldwide 

38271 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331 

United States 

Michael S. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

Ci Resubmission 

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

highway program. 

11-1-lj 

System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'WZ': Crash Worthy Work ('Physical Crash Testing NCHRP Report 350 TL3 

S012SSALPT 

Zone T raffle Control Devices (i' Engineering Analysis 

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: Troy Tapley Sarne as Submitter 18J 

Company Name: MDI Worldwide Sarne as Submitter 18J 

Address: 38271 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331 Same as Submitter l8J 

Country: United States Same as Submitter 18J 

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

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document. 

Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Proving Ground was compensated for the cost to perform the evaluation. 

Contract No. 1600838. No consulting relationships, research funding or other forms of research support, 

patents, copyrights, other intellectual property interests, licenses, contractual relationships, business ownership 

or investment interests are retained for the TII Proving Ground. 
Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 2 of 4 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

C New Hardware or r. Modification to 'Non-Significant 

· Significant Modification · Existing Hardware 

Product Description of 5012SSALPT 

(Reference drawing ZA-07492-1 O) 

5012SSALPT Compact Sign Stand is used in displaying up to 48 inch diamond shape or up to 16 sq. ft. (1.5 sq. 

meters] roll up signs. 

Further description: 

The 5012SSALPT Compact Sign Stand is a portable/fold-up sign stand that is manufactured with (1) vertically 

mounted wind deflecting steel spring to support roll-up signs. The base ofthe sign stand consists ofa .188 in 

[5mm] thick steel base, (4) telescoping legs, square steel upright and (1) vertically mounted steel spring 

attaching the base and upright. The legs are constructed of square aluminum tubing 1.25 in x 1.25 in x .10 in 

(30 mm x 30 mm x 2.5 mm] and 1.00 in x 1.00 in x .1 O in (25 mm x 25 mm x 2.5 mm]. The upright consists of a 

square steel tube 1.25 in x 1.25 x .06 in (30 mm x 30 mm x 1.5 mm). The upright allows for a removable 1.00 in x 

1.00 in x .10 in (25 mm x 25 mm x 2.5 mm) aluminum mast. The aluminum mast is used to attach the base unit 

and the fiberglass cross brace of the sign. 

The overall height ofthe sign stand with vinyl flags mounted above the sign is 11 Oin (2794 mm) and 86 in 

[2184 mm] without the flags. Ttie bottom of the sign is 18 in (457 mm) above grade. The total weight of the 

sign stand is 26.8 lbs (12.2 kg] which includes the stand of 18.0 lbs. (8.2 kg], a 48" x 48" roll up sign of7.8 lbs [3.5 

kg] and (3) vinyl flags of 1.0 lbs [0.5 kg]. 

The 5012SSALPT was deemed eligible for federal funding in WZ-320 

Modifications being requested: 

Note: We request WZ-320 to be amended. 

The following models listed below are modifications to the 5012SSALPT. The primary differences are as follow: 

a. The legs to be constructed with steel or aluminum. In addition, the legs to be telescoping and nontelescoping. 

b. The legs to be constructed with square tubing not to exceed 1.25 in x 1.25 in x .06 in (30 mm x 30 mm x 1.5 

mm] and 1.00 in x 1.00 in x .06 in (25 mm x 25 mm x 1.5 mm). 

Models "MDI Compact Sign Stands" being requested for approval: 

1. 50125SPT Ref: Drawing No. ZA-07492-11 

2. 5012NSPT Ref: Drawing No. ZA-07 492-12 

3. 5012NSALPT Ref. Drawing No. ZA-07492-13 

Model Number Nomenclature Structure (Reference) 

50 = Steel legs 

PT= Post Tube mast 

AL= Aluminum legs (override prefix) 

CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 
Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 3 of 4 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description Evaluation Results 

3-70 (820C) 

NCHRP-350 states this test is intended to evaluate the 

breakaway, fracture, or yielding mechanisms. Therefore, this 

test is not needed for this device. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

S3-70 (700C) Testing is optional and not needed for these devices. Non-Critical, not conducted 

3-71 (820C) 

Modification Comparables: 

a. A NCHRP-350 3-71 test was conducted on the MDI 4814CS 

"Compact Sign Stand", Research Study No. 99002. 

b. Eligibility letter WZ-320 found the 5012SSALPT design 

comparable to the tested design. 

c. The modifications listed above ofthe leg construction 

results in different mass properties and kinetic energy 

properties within each model. These modifications to the 

"MDI Compact Sign Stands" should not affect their 

performance nor the crashworthiness. 

d. TII Engineering Analysis, Project No. 690900-MDI MISC2 

analyzed the overall geometry of the "MDI Compact Sign 

Stands", their mass properties and the energy the sign stands 

exerts on a vehicle during a collision. The modifications to the 

"MDI Compact Sign Stands" listed above were found 

comparable in design and the mass properties and kinetic 

energy properties to be within the threshold. 

e. TII concluded with the comparable properties, the "MDI 

Compact Sign Stands" should perform in the same manner 

and require no further testing. 

Non-Critical, not conducted 

S3-71 (700C) Testing Is optional and not needed for these devices. Non-Critical, not conducted 

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 these modifications are considered Non-Significant. 

Laboratory Name: Texas Transportation Institute 

Dean C. Alberson 09~'9'"db,0.onC.-.... 

Laboratory Signature: ON:cn~uiC.Abnon.o-TeQSAMTr~lrnbt".otc.ov.•~ 

~""°"""""'5'<>.mtr°""""'..,...~...,..-c•US 

0..~2016.0Ul 1s..J0:06.()$'00' 

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

Country: USA Same as Submitter D 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period : 

A2LA # 2821.01 Valid until 04/30/2017 
l>9u~ ~by roy op;.1

Submitter Signature•: 0.1t llll6.0l.D1 16"l5 1B 

osw 

Submit Form 

Version 9.1 (11/15) 

Page 4 of 4 

ATIACHMENTS 

Anach 10 this fonn: 

I) Addilional disclosures of related financial interest as indicated above. 

2) A copy of the full 1est report, video. and a Test Data Summary Shcc1 for each test conducted in 

support or 1his request. 

3) A drawing or drawings of the device(s) that con form to the Task forcc- 13 l)rnwing Spcci lications 

[I lnrdwarc Guide DrHwjng Stnndardsl For proprietary products, a single isometric line drawing is 

usually acceptable to ill ustrate the product, with detailed specifications. intended use, and contact 

infomiation provided on the reverse. Additional drawings (not in TF- 13 fonnai) showing details thnl 

arc relevant Lo under.standing the dimensions and performance of the device should also be submined 

10 facili1ate our rcvic". 

FHWA Official Business Only_: 

Eligibility Letter AASHTO TF13 

Number Da te Designator Key Words 
1.25" - SQ. STEEL TUBE 

RUBBER CAPS 

 


VINYL FLAG 

FIBERGLASS 

CROSS BRACE 

1811 

5012SSALPT WZNOTE: 

5012SSALPT PREVIOUSLY ACCEPTED SCHEMATICDRAWING AND RECORDED UNDER WZ-320 ROLL UP SIGNS 

1.0011 

- SQ. 

ALUM.MAST 

6811 11011 

86" 

MAX. 

I-·,.__- 52" -----1•-il 

STEEL BASE 

5012SSALPT WEIGHT 


ROLL UP SIGN 7.8 lbs. 


W/ALUM. MAST 


FLAGS 1.0 lbs. 


SIGN STAND 18.0 lbs. 


TOTAL 26.8 lbs . 


MDI Traffic Control Prodoos, 38271 West 12 Mile Road, Fonning1on Hills, Ml 48331-3041 800-521-6776 ZA-07492-10 .........~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~----!

N 

t 

...:a 

\C

w 

1-1­ =

I 
-1•1-- 52" --•-41 

68" 

VINYL FLAGS 

FIBERGLASS 

CROSS BRACE 

68" 11011 

86" 

18" MAX. 

5012SSPT 


SCHEMATICDRAWING 


ROLL UP SIGNS 


1.25" - SQ. STEEL TUBE 


RUBBER CAPS 

STEEL BASE 

5012SSPT WEIGHT 

ROLL UP SIGN 

W/ALUM. MAST 

FLAGS 

SIGN STAND 

TOTAL 

1.00"-SQ. 

ALUM. MAST 

7.8 lbs. 

1.0 lbs. 

23.0 lbs. 

31.8 lbs. 

_______________________________ MDI Triiffic Control ProclUCU. 38271 West 12 Mile Road. Fannington Hills. Ml 48331·304 I 800..S2 l-6776 ___..!.Z~A~-0~7~49~2~-l~l_ _j 

t

'I

\C

N 

-

-.

I 
5012NSPT 

SCHEMATICDRAWING 

ROLL UP SIGNS 

VINYL FLAGS 

1.00" -SQ. 

ALUM. MAST 

1.25" -SQ. STEEL TUBE 1 

1.25" - SQ. STEEL LEG 

1.00" - SQ. STEEL 

TELESCOPING LEG 

RUBBER CAPS 

~~-===~+ l 

STEEL BASE 

5012NSPT WEIGHT 


ROLL UP SIGN 7.8 lbs. 


W/ALUM. MAST 


FLAGS 1.0 lbs. 


SIGN STAND 20.0 lbs. 


TOTAL 28.8 lbs.

...._____________________________________________________________ MDI Traffic Control Products, 38271 West 12 Mile Road, Fannington Hills, Ml 48331·30~ I 800-521-6776 __, ZA-07492-12 

FIBERGLASS 

CROSS BRACE 

48" X 48" VINYL 

ROLL UP SIGN 

NO SPRING------i1 

68" 110"

86" 

18" MAX. 

I.... i---­ 52" -----1•-I

I

=--.I

N '° w.
5012NSALPT 


SCHEMATIC DRAWING 


ROLL UP SIGNS 


VINYL FLAGS 

FIBERGLASS 

CROSS BRACE 

48" X 48" VINYL 

ROLL UP SIGN 

NO SPRING----­

-1..1--52"--­

68" 110" 

86" 

18" MAX. 

1.00" -SQ. 

ALUM. MAST 

1.25" - SQ. STEEL TUBE 1 

1.25" - SQ. ALUM. LEG 52" 

1.00"-SQ.ALUM. LI 

TELESCOPING LEG J:~:::::=:=r11r:::::::::::.~-27" 

RUBBER CAPS 

5012NSALPT WEIGHT 

ROLL UP SIGN 

W/ALUM. MAST 

FLAGS 

SIGN STAND 

TOTAL 

7.8 lbs. 

1.0 lbs. 

15.0 lbs. 

23.8 lbs. 

MDI Traffic Control Products, 38271 West 12 Mile Road, Funning1on Hills. Ml 48331·304 I 800·521-6776