November 4, 2002 

 HSA-10/B-108 

Owen S. Denman, P.E. 

President, Barrier Systems, Inc. 

180 River Road 

Rio Vista, CA 94571-1208 

Dear Mr. Denman: 

In your October 4 letter to Mr. Frederick Wright, former Director of the Federal 

Highway Administration’s Office of Safety, you requested formal review and 

acceptance of a new longitudinal barrier named the SafeGuard Link System. To 

support this request, you also sent copies of a September 30, 2002 test report entitled 

“Barrier Systems, Inc. SafeGuard Link System” prepared by Safe Technologies, 

Inc. and videotapes of the crash tests that you conducted. 

The SafeGuard Link System is a longitudinal barrier constructed from 8-gauge A36 

galvanized steel panels assembled in 8-meter segments. These segments are hinged 

at both ends and contain caster wheel/jack assemblies so individual segments can be 

released and removed or swung open to allow temporary access through the barrier. 

Likewise, an entire installation can be pulled to a new location without requiring 

disassembly of the individual segments. The hinge assemblies are shielded from 

direct impact by a removable aluminum cover and the segments are connected with 

a 28.6-mm diameter ASTM C1018 steel pin. The effective length (including the 

hinge) of each segment is 8.5 m and its overall height is 847 mm. Its base width is 

727 mm and the width of its “T” top section is 513 mm. Each segment weighs 

approximately 1525 kg. Selected design details are shown in Enclosures 1 through 

3. The SafeGuard Link System can be used as a “stand alone” temporary barrier or 

as a removable gate within a run of portable concrete barrier. A transition design 

was developed and tested for the latter application and is shown in Enclosure 4. 

A 68-m long test section (eight 8-m long segments) of the SafeGuard Link System 

was impacted at 100 km/h with an 820-kg car at 20 degrees and with a 2000-kg 

pickup truck at 25 degrees. Maximum deflection (with the truck) was reported to 

be 1920 mm. All NCHRP Report 350 evaluation criteria were met in both tests. 

Summary reports are shown in Enclosures 5 and 6. You also conducted a test with 

the pickup truck at 70 km/h into an installation that was 34-m long (four 8-m long 

segments). Under these test level 2 (TL-2) impact conditions, the dynamic deflection 

was 1040 mm. Enclosure 7 is the summary data for that test. Finally, you tested the 

SafeGuard Link System at its critical impact point when three 8-m long segments 

were inserted into a run comprised of 6-m long portable concrete barrier segments, 

with three on the upstream end of the test installation and four on the downstream 

end. The results of this test are shown in Enclosure 8. 
Based on the information you submitted, I agree the SafeGuard Link System, as 

tested, meets NCHRP Report 350 evaluation criteria and may be used on the 

National Highway System (NHS) as a test level 2 (TL-2) barrier when a minimum of 

two 8-m segments are upstream from the length of need point and as a test level 3 

(TL-3) barrier when a minimum of four segments precede the length of need point. 

Designers must, of course, remain aware that impacts nearer to either end of an 

unanchored installation will result in greater deflections and possible penetration 

into the area behind the barrier. The ends of a SafeGuard Link installation will 

need to be shielded if located within the design clear zone on projects on the NHS. 

The SafeGuard Link System may also be used as a TL-3 barrier to create a 

temporary opening in a portable concrete barrier when it is inserted into a run of 

temporary concrete barrier. Based on review of the videotape of the test that was 

conducted, the concrete barrier segments on either end of the SafeGuard Link 

System should be 6-m long segments, but the remaining segments may be any length 

or design that have met Report 350 evaluation criteria. 

Since the SafeGuard Link System is both a steel product and is proprietary, the 

provisions of Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations Sections 635.410 and 635.411 are 

applicable. 

 Sincerely yours, 

 (original signed by Harry W. Taylor) 

 for: 

 Carol H. Jacoby, P.E. 

 Director, Office of safety Design 

8 Enclosures 




SafeGuardTM Link System 

Barrier Systems, Inc.

STI Project:  BSI-SGL Page 22 of 76 

t=0.000 sec t=.100sec t=.200sec t=.300sec t=.400sec 

General Information Exit Conditions

 Test Agency................................................ SAFE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Speed (km/h)................................................50

 Test Designation.......................................... NCHRP Report 350 2-11 (LON) Angle (deg)...................................................5 Test No...................................................... STI Test #SGL02 Occupant risk Values Date.......................................................... 9/5/2002 Impact Velocity (m/s)

Test Article x-direction.............................................. 3

 Type.......................................................... Barrier Systems, Inc. y-direction.............................................. -3

SafeGuard Link System Ridedown Acceleration (g's)

Installation Length....................................... 8 meter link sections (34 meters overall) x-direction.............................................. -3

 Size and/or dimension and material y-direction.............................................. 5 of key elements........................................... Height 847mm, Base width 727 mm, THIV (km/h)................................................16

Top width 513mm. Mass 1525 kg / 8 meter link PHD (g's)....................................................5

Test Vehicle ASI............................................................0

 Type......................................................... Production Model Test Article Deflection (mm) Designation................................................ 2000P Dynamic......................................................10 Model....................................................... 1989, Chevrolet Cheyenne Permanent...................................................10

3/4 Ton Pickup Vehicle Damage

 Mass (kg) Exterior Curb..................................................... 1907 VDS......................................................L Test Inertial............................................ 1979 CDC......................................................1 Dummy(s)............................................. n/a Interior Gross Static.......................................... 1979 OCDI.................................................... A

Impact Conditions Post-Impact Vehicular behavior (deg - gyro @ c.g.)

 Speed (km/h)............................................. 70.2 Maximum Roll Angle.................................... -7 Angle (deg)............................................... 25 Maximum Pitch Angle...................................-4 Impact Severity (kJ).................................... 67.2 Maximum Yaw Angle....................................46

Typical 8 m

 Impact at L/2 - Hinge assembly 

Figure 6. Summary of Results 

Exit Angle 5 deg @ 50.4 km/h

Four (4) 8 meter links

with hinges = 34 m (111.5')



Containment Net 25  Pre Hit Gate Post Hit Gate Hinge Cover Link Section Dynamic and Permanent Lateral Deflection = 1.04 m (41") Impact at 25 deg @ 70.2 km/h
SafeGuardTM Link System 

Barrier Systems, Inc.

STI Project:  BSI-SGL Page 29 of 76 

t=0.000 sec t=.100sec t=.200sec t=.300sec t=.400sec 

General Information Exit Conditions

 Test Agency................................................ SAFE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Speed (km/h)................................................90.3

 Test Designation.......................................... NCHRP Report 350 3-10 (LON) Angle (deg)...................................................6 Test No...................................................... STI Test #SGL03 Occupant risk Values Date.......................................................... 9/6/2002 Impact Velocity (m/s)

Test Article x-direction.............................................. 3.7

 Type.......................................................... Barrier Systems, Inc. y-direction.............................................. -7

SafeGuard Link System Ridedown Acceleration (g's)

Installation Length....................................... 8 meter link sections (68 meters overall) x-direction.............................................. -5.4

 Size and/or dimension and material y-direction.............................................. -10.8 of key elements........................................... Height 847 mm, Base width 727 mm, THIV (km/h)................................................27.2

Top width 513mm. Mass 1525 kg / 8 meter link PHD (g's)....................................................10.9

Test Vehicle ASI............................................................1.29

 Type......................................................... Production Model Test Article Deflection (mm) Designation................................................ 820C Dynamic......................................................610 Model....................................................... 1993, Ford Festiva Permanent...................................................610

Vehicle Damage

 Mass (kg) Exterior Curb..................................................... 804 VDS......................................................LFQ Test Inertial............................................ 825 CDC......................................................11FL Dummy(s)............................................. 75 Interior Gross Static.......................................... 901 OCDI.................................................... AS0

Impact Conditions Post-Impact Vehicular behavior (deg - gyro @ c.g.)

 Speed (km/h)............................................. 100.7 Maximum Roll Angle.................................... -10.9 Angle (deg)............................................... 20 Maximum Pitch Angle...................................-4.1 Impact Severity (kJ).................................... 37.8 Maximum Yaw Angle....................................54.1 

Typical 8 mete

 Impact at L/2 - Hinge assembly 

Figure 11. Summary of Results 

Exit Angle 6 deg @ 90.3 km/h

Eight (8) 8 meter links

with hinges = 68 m (223')

Containment Net 20  Pre Hit Gate Post Hit Gate Hinge Cover Link Section Dynamic and Permanent Lateral Deflection = 610 mm (24") Impact at 20 deg @ 100.7 km/h
SafeGuardTM Link System 

Barrier Systems, Inc.

STI Project:  BSI-SGL Page 15 of 76 

t=0.000 sec t=.100sec t=.200sec t=.300sec t=.400sec 

General Information Exit Conditions

 Test Agency................................................ SAFE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Speed (km/h)................................................66.9

 Test Designation.......................................... NCHRP Report 350 3-11 (LON) Angle (deg)...................................................11 Test No...................................................... STI Test #SGL01 Occupant risk Values Date.......................................................... 9/3/2002 Impact Velocity (m/s)

Test Article x-direction.............................................. 4.6

 Type.......................................................... Barrier Systems, Inc. y-direction.............................................. -5.1

SafeGuard Link System Ridedown Acceleration (g's)

Installation Length....................................... 8 meter link sections (68 meters overall) x-direction.............................................. -8.6

 Size and/or dimension and material y-direction.............................................. 12.4 of key elements........................................... Height 847mm, Base width 727 mm, THIV (km/h)................................................22.6

Top width 513mm. Mass 1525 kg / 8 meter link PHD (g's)....................................................13.3

Test Vehicle ASI............................................................1.17

 Type......................................................... Production Model Test Article Deflection (mm) Designation................................................ 2000P Dynamic......................................................1920 Model....................................................... 1994, GMC Sierra Permanent...................................................1920

3/4 Ton Pickup Vehicle Damage

 Mass (kg) Exterior Curb..................................................... 1895 VDS......................................................LFQ Test Inertial............................................ 1976 CDC......................................................11FL Dummy(s)............................................. n/a Interior Gross Static.......................................... 1976 OCDI.................................................... AS0

Impact Conditions Post-Impact Vehicular behavior (deg - gyro @ c.g.)

 Speed (km/h)............................................. 101.8 Maximum Roll Angle.................................... -8.3 Angle (deg)............................................... 25 Maximum Pitch Angle................................... 25.4  Impact Severity (kJ).................................... 141.1 Maximum Yaw Angle....................................37.2 

Typical 8 mete

 Impact at L/2 - Hinge assembly 

Figure 1. Summary of Results 

Exit Angle 11 deg @ 66.9 km/h

Eight (8) 8 meter links

with hinges = 68 m (223')



Containment Net 25











Pre Hit Gate Post Hit Gate Hinge Cover

Link Section Dynamic and Permanent Lateral Deflection = 1.9 m (75.6")

Impact at 25 deg

 @ 101.8 km/h
SafeGuardTM Link System 

Barrier Systems, Inc.

STI Project:  BSI-SGL Page 37 of 76 

t=0.000 sec t=.100sec t=.200sec t=.300sec t=.400sec 

General Information Exit Conditions

 Test Agency................................................ SAFE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Speed (km/h)................................................84.6

 Test Designation.......................................... NCHRP Report 350 3-21 (CIP) Angle (deg)...................................................11 Test No...................................................... STI Test #SGL04 Occupant risk Values Date.......................................................... 9/12/2002 Impact Velocity (m/s)

Test Article x-direction.............................................. 5.4

 Type.......................................................... Barrier Systems, Inc. y-direction.............................................. -5.6

SafeGuard Link System Ridedown Acceleration (g's)

Installation Length....................................... 8 meter link sections (68 meters overall) x-direction.............................................. -6

 Size and/or dimension and material y-direction.............................................. 15.9 of key elements........................................... Height 847 mm, Base width 727 mm, THIV (km/h)................................................26.5

Top width 513mm. Mass 1525 kg / 8 meter link PHD (g's)....................................................16.3

Test Vehicle ASI............................................................1.18

 Type......................................................... Production Model Test Article Deflection (mm) Designation................................................ 2000P Dynamic......................................................1570 Model....................................................... 1988, GMC Sierra Permanent...................................................1570

3/4 ton pick up Vehicle Damage

 Mass (kg) Exterior Curb..................................................... 1966 VDS......................................................LFQ-4

 Test Inertial............................................ 1967 CDC......................................................11FL Dummy(s)............................................. n/a Interior Gross Static.......................................... 1967 OCDI.................................................... AS02

Impact Conditions Post-Impact Vehicular behavior (deg - gyro @ c.g.)

 Speed (km/h)............................................. 101.3 Maximum Roll Angle.................................... -8.8 Angle (deg)............................................... 25 Maximum Pitch Angle...................................-11.5

 Impact Severity (kJ).................................... 139 Maximum Yaw Angle....................................37.0 (

Typical 8 mete

 Impact at CIP - Hinge assembly 

Figure 16. Summary of Results 

Exit Angle 11 deg @ 84.6 km/h

Three (3) PCB, Three (3) 8 meter links, Four (4) PCB

with hinges = 68 m (223')

Containment Net 25 Pre Hit Gate Post Hit Gate Link Section Dynamic and Permanent Lateral Deflection = 1.6 m (61.8") Impact at 25 deg @ 101.3 km/h Portable Concrete Barrier (PCB) Hinge Cover