1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

 Washington, D.C. 20590

January 19, 2012

FHWA: HSST: NArtimovicht: sf: x61331:1/10/12

File: s: //directory folder/HSST/Artimovich/ WZ-311 John M. Pasakarnis

Letter.dotx

cc: HSST (NArtimovich; JDewar) 

In Reply Refer To:

HSST/WZ-311

John M. Pasakarnis

Dicke Tool Company

1201 Warren Avenue

Downers Grove, Illinois 60515

Dear Mr. Paskarnis: 

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: STF18 with Extended Mast

Type of system: Portable X-footprint sign stand for roll-up signs

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3

Testing conducted by: N/A

Date of request: October 11, 2011

Date initially acknowledged: November 15, 2011

Date of completed package: October 11, 2011

Decision:

The following device is eligible, with details provided in the form and incoming correspondence 

which are enclosed as integral parts of this letter:

• STF18 with Extended Mast for roll up signs

Based on a review of the analysis submitted by the manufacturer certifying the device described 

herein meets the crashworthiness 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.

Requirements

Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines contained in the National Cooperative 

Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 or the American Association of State 

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

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 FHWA eligibility letters:

• This finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the systems 

and does not cover their structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform 

Traffic Control Devices.

• Any changes that may influence the crashworthiness of the system will require a new 

reimbursement eligibility letter.

• Should the FHWA 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 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 the 

same chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for review, and 

that it will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the NCHRP Report 350.

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

WZ-311 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 FHWA to use, 

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

The finding of eligibility 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,

Michael S. Griffith

Director, Office of Safety Technologies

Office of Safety

Enclosures
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