1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

 Washington, D.C. 20590

May 6, 2014 

 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST/SS-126B 

Mr. Bret Eckert

Trinity Highway Products 

3617 Cincinnati Avenue 

Rocklin, California 95765 

Dear Mr. Eckert:

This letter is in response to your request for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to 

review a roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway 

program. 

Name of system: Perforated Square Steel Tube Sign Supports 

Type of system: Generic Breakaway Sign Supports 

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3 

Testing conducted by: Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Task Force 13 Designator: PTP12a, PTP20a-24b 

Date of request: November 15, 2013 

Decision

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

integral part of this letter:

• Generic Perforated Square Steel Tube Breakaway Sign Supports with modified

materials specified.

Based on a review of crash test results certifying the device described herein meets the crash test 

and evaluation criteria of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 

Report 350, the device is eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. 

Eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval 

or endorsement by the FHWA for any particular purpose or use. 

The FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United States Government do not 

endorse products or services and the issuance of a reimbursement eligibility letter is not an 

endorsement of any product or service. 
2 

Requirements 

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

and evaluation criteria contained in the NCHRP Report 350 or the American Association of State 

Highway and Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). 

Description 

This letter modifies SS-126(Revised) by removing the ASTM A653 mechanical requirement that 

the ultimate tensile strength of the steel coil used to produce the perforated square steel tube 

should not exceed 550 MPa (79,800 psi) or have an elongation measured over 50mm (2 inches) 

greater than 28%. The crash test laboratory concurs in this change. The device and supporting 

documentation are described in the attached form. 

Summary and Standard Provisions 

Therefore, the system described and detailed in the attached form is eligible for reimbursement 

and may be installed under the range of conditions tested. 

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHW A eligibility letters: 

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

be used for the purpose of the creation of a new and/or the update of existing Task 

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

Hardware' currently referenced in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide. 

• This finding of eligibility does not cover other structural features of the systems, nor 

conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

• Any changes that may influence system conformance with NCHRP Report 350 

criteria will require a new reimbursement eligibility letter. 

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

performance reveals safety problems, or that the system is significantly different from 

the version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter. 

• You are expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and 

installation 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 crash test and evaluation criteria of the NCHRP Report 350. 

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

number SS-1268 and 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 at our office 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. 
The FHWA does not become involved in issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, 

are to be resolved by the applicant. 

Enclosures 

Sincerely yours, 

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

3 
Ve rsio11 ·1 .1 ( 10/13) 

Page 2 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Rei1nburse111ent Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: NovenlberlS, 2013 \oNew (' Resubmission 

Narne: Bret Eckert, P.E. Signature: hM.f- } ~ ./,,.,,_,/·· - ... 

cu Company: Trinity 1 lighway Products ' ~ Address: E 3617 Clnclllnatl Ave., Rocklin, CA 9S76S .Cl Country: :I 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. 

~ 

System Type Submission Type DE vice Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'SS': Breakaway Sign (0 Physical Crash Tes ting Perforated Square Steel 

NCHRP Report 350 TL3 

Supports, Mailboxes, & 

(' FEA & V&V Analysis Tubt! other small sign supports 

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 ·:he NCH RP Report 350 (Report 350) and that 

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

Identification of the individual or organization responsibl(! for the product: 

Contact Name: John lntagliata Same as Submitter 0 

Company Name: Trinity Highway Products Same as Submitter C8J 

Address: 361 7 Cincinnati Ave .. Rocklin, CA 9S76S Same as Submitter C8J 

Country: USA Same as Submitter cgj 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

(' New Hardware (i" Modification to 

Existing Hardware Non· )ignificant - Effect is positive or Inconsequential 

The perforated square steel tube used for breakaway sign supports was originally accepted in FHWA Eligibility 

letters HSSD/SS-126 (REVISED) and HSSl/SS-126A. The materi;il described in the test reports for HSSD/SS-1 26 

(REVISED) and for HSSl/SS-126A state, respectively, that ASTM A653 SS Grade SO and HSLAS Grade SO was used. 

Footnote 1 in the Accepted Uses table in FHWA letter 55-126 IREVISED) says, "The ultimate tensile strength of 

the steel coil used to produce the tube should not exceed SSC MPa (79,800 psi) or have an elongation measured 

over SO mm (2 inches) greater than 28%". This sentence is inc onflict with ASTM A653 mechanical requirements 

that specify minimum values for yleld, tensile and elongation. Tensile strength and elongation values are not 

constrained to maximum llmlts In this ASTM materlal standard. 

This FHWA Eligibility request is to amend footnote 1 shown in Acceptable Uses Table in FHWA Acceptance 

Letter HSSD/SS-126 (REVISED) by removing the sentence dlswsslng maximum tensile and elongation limits. 

This modification is considered Non-significant and inconsequential. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--' 

tv£ C PNC VI{ W 111-1 

{l(J_~ 

()£.if N (. /l'-'~..,,I( $1,.J 

Tr-7 
Acceptable lJses of Perforated Square Steel Tube Sign Posts, Per Request of Trinity Industries, Inc. Company 

Posts arc fabricated from ASTM A653 SQ Grade 50. Modified to "Grade 55". certified to 4 14 MPa min yield1

• 

One Post in a 2. 1-m Path Two Posts in a 2.1-m Path 

Standard Soil Weak Soil Standard Soil Weak Soil 

Post Size With Direct 

With Direct 

With Direct With Direct Anchor Anchor Anchor Anchor mm x mm (in x in) Base111 Burial Base111 Burial Base111 Burial 13ase111 Burial 

2.10 2.66 2. 10 2.66 2. 10 2.66 2. 10 2.66 2.10 2.66 2.10 2.66 2.10 2.66 2.10 2.66 

mm mm mm mm m111 mm mm mm 111m mm mm nun mm mm mm mm 

63.5x63.5 (2.5x2.5) ..... yes --- --- --- yes ··-- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

57.2x57.2 (2.25x2.25) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

50.8x50.8 (2.0x2.0) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes -·-- yes yes yes ---

44.5x44.5 (I. 75x 1.75) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes 

38.1 x38. I ( l.5x 1.5) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes 

I. 4 13.69 MPa = 60.000 psi. 1. The anchor base may or may not have a strcni:thening sleeve at i:round line. The anchor bases shall be sized to fit closely around the 

post. For 63.5x63.5 posts of both wall thicknesses and 57.2x57.2x2.66 posts the anchor bases shall be made of steel comparable to that 

of the posts and have wall thicknesses equal 4.55 mm (7 ga) or greater For 57.2x57.2x2. IO posts and all 55 6x55.6 and smaller posts 

the anchor bases shall be made of steel comparable to that of the posts and have wall thicknesses equal 2.66 mm ( 12 ga) or g reater. 
Tab!~ DI. Summary fr~sult s for~ndulum t~ t 400001-N\VP P5. 

General lnfonnation 

Test Aoency ........................... Texas Transportabon Institute 

Test No .................................................. 400001-NVVP PS 

Date .... .. .. ... .... ... .... .... .. .... . . ...... ................ 0812512004 

Test Article 

Type . ".. ...... ...... ..... .... . " " ....... Slnole Sign Support 

Name .................................. Northwest Pipe Company 

Installation He19ht (m) ......... ............................. 2.1 m (7 ftl 

Ma1enal of Key Element .. ............... 3 inch x 3 Inch x 711auge 

x 36 Inch IOnQ anchor 

Soil Type ......... ....... ...................... ...................... Standard Soil 

Test Vehicle 

Type .... ............................................................................ BoQie 

Oesi9nation .............................................................. Pendulum 

Test Inertia Mass ........................................................... 816 kg 

Impact Conditions 

Speed ............ ........................................................... 35.0 km/h 

Angle .............................................................................. Odeg 

Occupant Risk Values 

Impact Velocity 

Longitudinal direction ............................................ No contact 

Ridedown Accelerations 

Longitudinal direction ....................................................... NIA 

Maximum change in Velocity ............... ....................... 3.3 mis 

r-" . 

Pare 10 ofl6 
Tnbl~ D:?. Summary ofr~s for ~odulum ~ .WOOOl-NWP P6 

0.460 s 

General Information 

Test AQency ... .......... ................ Texas Transportation Institute 

Test No . .. ............................ ...... ............. 400001 -NWP P6 

Date ......................... .............................................. 0812512004 

Test Anicle 

Type .......................................................... S1n9le Sign Support 

Name .............................................. NorthWest Pipe Company 

Installation Height (m) ............................................. 2.1 m (7 ft) 

Matenal " Key Element... .... ............ 3 inch x 3 inch x 7-gauge 

x 36 inch long wino anchor 

SOil Type ................................................................... Weak Soil 

Test Vehicle 

Type ................... ............................................................. Bogie 

Designation .......................... .................................... Pend\Jlum 

Test Inertia Mass ........................................................... 816 kg 

Impact Conditions 

Speed ....................................................................... 35.2 km/h 

Angle .............................................................................. O deg 

Occupant Risk Values 

Impact Velocity 

Longitudinal direction ............................................ No contact 

Ridedown Accelerations 

Longitudinal direction ....................................................... NIA 

Maximwn change in Velocity ...................................... 2.4 mis 

--

P.ip 1.i of 16 
.,. 

llD C -.._[.,.,....,,.,. ---------- -)_[ =- --° ·.sq 

GeMral ~fomulion 

THtAgeney ...• . 

TestNo ... ..•.. 

Oa111 ..••. . -•.•..••• - • THtAnicle 

Type ... .. 

Name •.. _ •...••• 

lnsu&Jfon L4'1¢1 (mJ. . _ 

l.b.U Kay~ -· 

T•.xas TransportZIOO lnstiOJi. 400001-N\Yi' I 

03t'2d'2004 

Impact Conditions 

S Pffd (lun1'h) .......... . .... . . .. ... '<'~2 

Exi~:~i ····· ······ ········ .. 0 

SPffd (knv'h) .......... ...... . U .2 

59\ S<.tppons Angl• ) ... ·····-··· ........ .. -· WA Sqwn Tube~ Suppott 5 9" Occupant Ri.k V;iJu.s 

~ 

N.'A tmpx1Veloc.1Y(rnls; 

Pe>e Company Squ~ Tube Long.IUdlnal ... ·-··· .... ... . . ... H 

Ou.I Support Sog!' With ftx Cit P;in.. Lall<al ... . . . .. . ... .. . ... .. 0.1 

Soi Type and Condition Wu!t Soi. Dry THIV llunlh) .. . ...... . . ........ . . ·a TKt VelticM Rodeoown ens (g'sl 

Type ~ Lo~nal -1 il 

O.sign.JOOO .. .. . • . . • 820C La!llnll ... . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . ·I .Q 

Mod9!. ... ...... . . .. ~i G.e>M.tto PHO (g"1t. ... . ........ . ...... . . .... 2.0 

Mau (kg) ASI .. ........ . ... ...... . ........ . ...... 0.31 

Curt> ........ . .... . . 852 Max. O!l>-sA.-.r~ (g's) 

Tnt lnert>al . . . SM Longitud1n31. . .... . ........ . ...... -l.2 

Ounmy ...... ... . . .. . 78 u w al ... . . . . .. . . . . .... . . ... ... 0 5 Grou SL'lllC.... ... .... ........ . . ~ V•rt-C3l .... .. . ....... ........ . . .. -2.2 

T Kt Aroci. o.n.ccions tm) 

Lorlg.luciul. 

Utl<3l 

V•hlcl9 !WMge 

Entn« 

VOS 

coc 

t.b.Cmu:n &t..-ct 

VMl>CM Cl\NI tmml 

ln:itnor 

OCOI 

r.bmwn Occup:r.: Crnpt o.!C<Tr.a"°" 1mm l 

Post~ BMl• rior 

f=ing I 0 MC :i.'t« mpacll 

M.u. v-An;tl <oe;> ... l'l.u. Pun Mgi. ] .•.. 

l'I~ Rol A.'tfJ• (oegl ... 

Figutt 9. Summary of results for NCHRP Report 350 test 3-01 on Northwest~ Company 

square n1~ dual support sign installation. 

54.P 

3.2 

1 

~HW2 

NOM 

FSOl0'.>000 

·32 

7.2 

-3.2 
Tobi~ 02. Summ.vy ofmults for ~nduhun ~t 400001-NWP P6. 

0.460s 

General Information 

Test Agency ....... ...................... . Texas Transportation Institute 

Test No ... ... ................ ........ ·······-·· ········-·· 400001-NWP P6 

Date ___ ________ __ ___ ·-- ----·····················--········-·-··-·-···-· ···- 0812512004 

Test Article 

TYJ>e-·--··········· ···········-···· ·--··············-·········Single Sign Support Name .............................................. Northwest Pipe Company 

Installation Height {m) .................... ·-··--··---·-··--·-··---· 2.1 m (7 ft) 

Material c:A Key Element .................. _ 3 inch x 3 inch x 7-9auge 

x: 36 inch long wing anchor 

Soil Type .... ·-··· ·······-···-----······-··--···-··-······--··-··--······-·· Weak Soil 

Test Vehicle 

Type ... ·-··-·-····· ·············· ···········-···-···-·--······--······--·-······-··· Bogie 

Designation .............. . -···-··-······--······-·············-·········· Pendulum 

Test Inertia Mass ---···-···-·········--······-···-······-···················8161\g Impact ConditiOOS 

Speed ............................................ ·-·-···-···--·-···· ....... . 35.2 llmlh 

Angle············--·------···-···-··-···-·············--··························· O deg 

occupant Risk Values 

Impact Velocity 

Longitudinal direclion .................... ----··········--·---·---No contact 

Ridedown Accelerations 

Longitudinal direction ................... ·-----··-···-·-····-······-··--····· NIA 

Maximum change in Velocity --·------·······-············--·---·-.2.4 mis 

i---1'--i 

......... 

P;ip lol of l6