USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Roadway Departure Safety
                        Reduce Crash Severity
                        Hardware Eligibility Letters


            
            In This Section
        Roadway Departure Safety
                Strategic Approach
                                Strategic Plan
                Crash Emphasis Brochures
                Focused Approach
                Noteworthy Practices
                Partner Resources
                Keep Vehicles on the Road
                                Pavement Friction
                Horizontal Curve Safety
                Rumble Strips and Rumble Stripes
                Nighttime Visibility
                Provide for a Safe Recovery
                                SafetyEdge
                Clear Zones
                Reduce Crash Severity
                                Overview
                Hardware Eligibility Letters
                Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD)
                                Overview
                All Public Roads
                Proven Countermeasures
                Systemic Approach
                Safety Action Plans
                FoRRRwD Resources
                
                Safety Eligibility Letter B-184
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-184
                          **Date:**
            12/09/2008
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            NUCOR Steel Marion
                          **Device Description:**
            NU-Cable -- New Hanger for TL-4
                          **View PDF:**
            b184.pdf (677.59 KB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter B-184

			 
			**Download Version**PDF [678  KB]
			
			DOT logoU.S. Department of Transportation**Federal Highway Administration**
			1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.Washington, D.C. 20590
			December 9, 2008
			In Reply Refer To: HSSD/B-184
			
			Mr. Rick Mauer
            	Outside National Sales Representative
                Nucor Steel Marion Inc.
                P.O. Box 837
                Greenland, NH  03840
            Dear Mr. Mauer:
            This letter is in response to your request for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
acceptance of a modification to a Nucor Steel Marion W-beam barrier for use on the National
Highway System (NHS).
      Name of  system:
                Nu-Cable System â€“ Extended Hanging HookType of  system:Cable BarrierTest Level:
        NCHRP Report 350 TL-4Testing  conducted by:Holmes Solutions of New ZealandDate of request:
                July 25, 2006You requested that we find this modified system acceptable for use on the NHS under the  provisions of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350  "Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features."
      **Requirements**
      Roadside safety systems should meet the guidelines contained in the NCHRP Report 350.  FHWA Memorandum "ACTION: Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety Features" of  July 25, 1997, provides further guidance on crash testing requirements of longitudinal barriers.
      **Description**
      The Test Level 4 (TL-4) Nu-Cable barrier system consists of four steel cables mounted on  4 pound/ft Nucor Steel Marion Rib-Bak u-channel posts. This system was found acceptable in  the following FHWA Acceptance Letter:
            B-167 February 24, 2008 4-strand Nucor Wire Rope Barrier System TL-4**Crash Testing**
            The Nucor Nu-Cable System consists of four 19-mm (3/4-inch) wire rope cables at heights of  380 mm, 640 mm, and two at 890 mm (15 inch, 25 inch, and 35 inch) above ground level. The  lower two cables are attached using locking hook bolts which connect directly to the U-posts.  The top two cables are supported by a top clip which engages with the top of the U-post section.  The original hanging clip held the top two cables at the same height of 890 mm above the  ground. Because these two cables are next to each other the barrier appears to have only 3 cables  when viewed from a passing vehicle. Your present request is to revise the hanging clip by  lowering one of the cables by 100 mm (4 inches.) This will separate the cables so that all four  are visible. As the cable on the near-side of the post will remain at 890 mm there should be no  change in performance of the barrier under TL-4 conditions.
            Therefore, the Nucor Nu-Cable System with the revised hanging clip described above and  detailed in the enclosed drawings is acceptable for use on the NHS under the range of conditions  tested, when such use is acceptable to a highway agency.
      Please note the following standard provisions that apply to the FHWA letters of acceptance:
            This acceptance is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the system and does not  cover its structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control  Devices
              Any changes that may adversely influence the crashworthiness of the system 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 system being marketed is  significantly different from the version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify  or revoke our 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 it will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the FHWA and the NCHRP Report  350.
              To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of acceptance is designated as number   B-184 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.
              The Nu-Cable barrier systems are patented products and considered proprietary. If  proprietary systems are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects, except  exempt, non-NHS 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.
              This acceptance 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.  The acceptance letter is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate  system, 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,
						Signature of David A. Nicol
						David A. NicolDirector, Office of Safety DesignOffice of SafetyEnclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us