1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

 Washington, D.C. 20590

1 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1/WZ-442 

Greg Spear

The Cortina Companies, Cortina Safety Products 

10706 West Grand Ave, 

Franklin Park, IL 60131 

United States of America 

Dear Mr. Spear: 

We received your correspondence of September 20, 2021 requesting issuance of a 

reimbursement eligibility letter under the Federal-aid highway program for the roadside safety 

system, device, design, product, or hardware (collectively “device”) described below. This letter 

is assigned Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) control number WZ-442. 

ELIGIBILITY LETTERS

The FHWA issues Federal-aid reimbursement eligibility letters for new roadside safety devices

that are crash tested in accordance with the industry standard of the American Association of 

State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware 

(MASH). 

FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United States (government) do not regulate 

roadside safety devices, crash test facilities, or the manufacturing industry. Issuance of 

eligibility letters is discretionary and provided only as a service to the states. FHWA may, at its 

discretion, decline to issue, revise, or rescind an eligibility letter. Eligibility letters are only 

issued by the FHWA headquarters Office of Safety. 

Eligibility letters are issued only as notice to the states that a device is eligible for reimbursement 

under the Federal-aid highway program. They do not establish approval or certification for any 

other purpose. Issuance of an eligibility letter is not a prerequisite or requirement for state 

transportation agencies seeking to use Federal-aid funds for roadside safety devices. State 

agencies may use a device for which an eligibility letter has not been issued and seek Federal-aid 

reimbursement. 

FEDERAL-AID REIMBURSEMENT

The request for issuance of this letter certified the device was crash tested in accordance with the 

industry standard of AASHTO’s MASH. This eligibility letter is based on that certification and 

the material offered in support of its issuance. The device described below is eligible for 

reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. 

August 15, 2022
2 

Name of system: Cortina M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade

Type of system: Work Zone 

Test Level: Test Level 3

 Testing conducted by: Applus IDIADA KARCO Engineering, LLC 

Date of request: September 20, 2021 

Information about the device, including material such as the eligibility request, crash test reports, 

drawings, or images are included in one or more attachment(s) to this letter. 

Eligibility letter WZ-442 is inapplicable to devices, optional equipment, alternate materials, or 

other features that were not crash tested in accordance with AASHTO’s MASH. 

This letter is issued only for the subject device as crash tested under AASHTO’s MASH. Later 

modification(s) of the device are not eligible for Federal-aid reimbursement under this letter. 

Notice of later modification(s) should be given to transportation agencies, facility owners, and 

operators (collectively “agencies”). 

Agencies should be provided appropriate information about the device’s design, installation, 

maintenance, materials, and mechanical properties. 

 

Issuance of this letter is discretionary, and it may be revised or rescinded at FHWA’s discretion. 

This letter is not a determination of compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control 

Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) or ownership of any intellectual property rights. 

This eligibility letter is not a determination by the government that a crash involving the subject 

device will result in any particular outcome. It is limited to only the device’s eligibility for 

Federal-aid reimbursement. 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 

Issuance of this eligibility letter does not convey property rights of any sort nor any exclusive 

privilege. This letter is not authorization or consent by the government for the use, manufacture, 

or sale of any patented or proprietary system, device, design, product, or hardware for which the 

requester is not the patent owner. Eligibility letters are not an expression of any view, position, 

or determination by the government as to the validity, scope, or ownership of any intellectual 

property rights to a specific device. These letters do not grant, impute, suggest, or otherwise 

establish any ownership, distribution, or licensing rights to the requester. The government 

expresses no opinion about the intellectual property rights relating to any device for which this or 

any other eligibility letter is issued. 

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

To prevent any misunderstanding, and as discussed above, this eligibility letter is assigned 

FHWA control number WZ-442. It should only be reproduced in full with its attachment(s). 

This letter and the material offered by the requester supporting its issuance is public information. 

All eligibility letters and supporting material are subject to public disclosure under the Freedom 
3 

of Information Act (FOIA). Eligibility letters are available to the public at 

https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/countermeasures/reduce_crash_severity/. 

If you have any questions please contact Aimee Zhang at Aimee.Zhang@dot.gov. 

Sincerely,

Michael S. Griffith

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety

Enclosures 
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Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility

of Highway Safety Hardware

Submitter

 Date of Request: 09/20/2021 New Resubmission

Name: Greg Spear

Company: The Cortina Companies, Cortina Safety Products

Address: 10706 West Grand Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131

Country: United States of America

 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.

Device & Testing Criterion - Enter from right to left starting with Test Level ! - ! - !

System Type Submission Type Device Name / Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level

'WZ': Crash Worthy Work 

Zone Traffic Control Devices

Physical Crash Testing

Engineering Analysis

Cortina M-Cade 

Universal Modular 

Barricade

AASHTO MASH TL3

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 AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety 

Hardware and that the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the MASH.

Individual or Organization responsible for the product:

Contact Name: Greg Spear Same as Submitter

Company Name: The Cortina Companies, Cortina Safety Products Same as Submitter

Address: 10706 West Grand Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131 Same as Submitter

Country: United States of America Same as Submitter

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

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document.

The Cortina Companies, Cortina Safety Products is the manufacturer and marketer of device. 

Applus IDIADA KARCO Engineering, LLC (IDIADA KARCO) is an independent research and testing laboratory 

having no affiliation with any other entity. IDIADA KARCO is actively Involved In data acquisition and 

compliance/certification testing for a variety of government agencies and equipment manufacturers. The 

principals and staff of IDIADA KARCO have no past or present financial, contractual or organizational interest in 

any company or entity directly or indirectly related to the products that KARCO tests. If any financial interest 

should arise, other than receiving fees for testing, reporting, etc., with respect to any project, the company will 

provide, In writing, a full and immediate disclosure to the FHWA. 
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Page of 2 4

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

New Hardware or 

Significant Modification

Modification to 

Existing Hardware

Product Description of M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade 

(Reference Drawing M-Cade Barricade Drawing_031321) 

The M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade is a work-zone traffic control device. 

Further Description: 

The Cortina Companies M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade is a work-zone traffic control device. The as-tested 

device consisted of four (4) posts, four (4) panels, two (2) lower sand bag bar boards, and one (1) optional 

standard D-Cell barricade light. The as-tested device had a total assembled weight of 13.1 lbs (5.9 kg). The MCade Universal Modular Barricade was tested with one (1) 35 lb (15.9 kg) sand bag. 

 The M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade is mainly constructed of copolymer polypropylene. The four (4) posts 

are 43.5 in. (1105 mm) long and 2.4 in. (61 mm) wide. Two (2) posts are installed on each side of the barricade 

with each pair being hinged at the top to allow the device to collapse flat when not deployed. Four (4) panels 

and two (2) sand bag bar boards are attached to the posts. The panels measure 24.0 in. (610 mm) long by 8.0 in. 

(203 mm) wide. The sand bag bar boards measure 24.0 in. (610 mm) long by 3.25 in. (83 mm) wide. In its 

deployed state, the barricade has overall dimensions of 41.0 in. (1041 mm) tall by 24.0 in. (610 mm) wide by 

30.0 in. (762 mm) long. For this test, a D-Cell Barricade Light was bolted to the top of the barricade. 

CRASH TESTING

By signature below, the Engineer affiliated with the testing laboratory, agrees in support of this submission that 

all of the critical and relevant crash tests for this device listed above were conducted to meet the MASH test 

criteria. The Engineer has determined that no other crash tests are necessary to determine the device meets 

the MASH criteria.

Engineer Name: Noah Partida

Engineer Signature: 

Address: 9270 Holly Road, Adelanto, CA 92301 Same as Submitter

Country: United States of America Same as Submitter

 A brief description of each crash test and its result:

Required Test 

Number

Narrative 

Description

Evaluation 

Results

3-70 (1100C)

Designed to evaluate the ability of a small 

vehicle to activate any breakaway, fracture, 

or yielding mechanism. Is considered 

optional for work-zone traffic control 

devices weighing less than 220 lbs (100 kg). 

The as-tested device weighed 13.1 lbs (5.94 

kg) and therefore Test 70 was not 

performed.

Non-Relevant Test, not conducted
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Required Test 

Number

Narrative 

Description

Evaluation 

Results

3-71 (1100C)

An 1100C test vehicle approached the test 

article at a nominal speed of 62 mph. The 

M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade 

impacted was oriented at 0° and at 90°. The 

test vehicle impacted the 0° CIA device at a 

speed of 63.42 mph (102.06 km/h). The 

vehicle’s front bumper first made contact 

with the lower reflective copolymer 

polypropylene panel. Upon impact, the 

panel and collapsible posts deformed 

around the vehicle’s front end. The 

barricade light detached from the post and 

the device broke into pieces. The occupant 

compartment was not penetrated and the 

MASH deformation limits were not 

exceeded. The test vehicle impacted the 90° 

CIA device at a velocity of 62.03 mph (99.83 

km/h). The vehicle’s front bumper made 

contact with the copolymer polypropylene 

collapsible posts. The posts deformed 

around the vehicle’s front end and broke 

apart. The occupant compartment was not 

penetrated and the MASH deformation 

limits were not exceeded. The barricade 

light detached from the post. The M-Cade 

Universal Modular Barricade met all the 

requirements for MASH Test 3-71.

PASS

3-72 (2270P)

A 2270P test vehicle approached the test 

article at a nominal speed of 62 mph. The 

M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade 

impacted was oriented at 0° and at 90°. The 

test vehicle impacted the 0° CIA device at a 

speed of 63.32 mph (101.91 km/h). The 

vehicle’s front bumper first made contact 

with the lower panel. Upon impact, the 

panel and collapsible posts deformed 

around the vehicle’s front end and broke 

into pieces. The occupant compartment 

was not penetrated and the MASH 

deformation limits were not exceeded. The 

test vehicle impacted the 90° CIA device at a 

velocity of 61.04 mph (98.23 km/h). The 

vehicle’s front bumper first made contact 

with the posts. Upon impact, the device 

deformed around the vehicle’s front end 

and broke apart. The occupant 

compartment was not penetrated and the 

MASH deformation limits were not 

exceeded. The M-Cade Universal Modular 

Barricade met all the requirements for 

MASH Test 3-72.

PASS
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Full Scale Crash Testing was done in compliance with MASH by the following accredited crash test 

laboratory (cite the laboratory’s accreditation status as noted in the crash test reports.):

Laboratory Name: Applus IDIADA KARCO Engineering, LLC.

Laboratory Signature:

Address: 9270 Holly Road, Adelanto, CA 92301 Same as Submitter

Country: United States of America Same as Submitter

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period :

TL 371: July 1, 2019 - July 1, 2022

ATTACHMENTS

Attach to this form: 

1) Additional disclosures of related financial interest as indicated above. 

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

support of this request. 

3) A drawing or drawings of the device(s) that conform to the Task Force-13 Drawing Specifications 

[Hardware Guide Drawing Standards]. For proprietary products, a single isometric line drawing is 

usually acceptable to illustrate the product, with detailed specifications, intended use, and contact 

information provided on the reverse. Additional drawings (not in TF-13 format) showing details that 

are relevant to understanding the dimensions and performance of the device should also be submitted 

to facilitate our review. 

FHWA Official Business Only:

Eligibility Letter

Number Date Key Words
MASH 2016 Test 3-71 Summary 

0° CIA 90° CIA 

0.000 seconds 0.060 seconds 0.120 seconds 0.650 seconds 0.710 seconds 0.770 seconds 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Test Agency..................... Applus IDIADA KARCO Engineering 

Test Number..................... P40325-01 

Test Designation............... 3-71 

Test Date......................... 1/18/21 

TEST ARTICLE 

Name / Model..................... Cortina M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade 

Type................................. Work-Zone Traffic Control Device 

Device Height .................. 3.4 ft. (1.0 m) 

Key Elements..................... panels, sand bad bar boards, posts 

Road Surface..................... Smooth, Clean Concrete 

TEST VEHICLE 

Type / Designation............ 1100C 

Year, Make, and Model......... 2016 Kia Rio 

Curb Mass........................ 2,528.5 lbs (1,147.0 kg) 

Test Inertial Mass............... 2,449.3 lbs (1,111.0 kg) 

Gross Static Mass............... 2,622.4 lbs (1,189.5 kg) 

Impact Conditions 

Impact Velocity Device 1......... 63.42 mph (102.06 km/h) 

Impact Velocity Device 2......... 62.03 mph (99.83 km/h) 

Device 1 Location/ Orientation............... 17.4 in. (441 mm) From Vehicle 

Centerline on Passenger Side 

Device 2 Location/ Orientation............... 18.0 in. (458 mm) From Vehicle 

Centerline on Driver Side 

Device 1 Angle..................... 0.0° 

Device 2 Angle..................... 90.0° 

Device 1 Kinetic Energy......... 329.3 kip-feet (446.5 Kilojoules) 

Device 2 Kinetic Energy......... 315.1 kip-feet (427.2 Kilojoules) 

Minimum KE Required....... 288 kip-feet (390 Kilojoules) 

Exit Conditions 

Device 1 Exit Velocity............ 62.94 mph (101.3 km/h) 

Device 2 Exit Velocity............ 61.51 mph (99.0 km/h) 

Vehicle Resting Position......... 283.6 ft. (86.4 m) Downstream 

2.9 ft. (0.9 m) Right

Vehicle Stability .................. Satisfactory 

0° - Maximum Roll Angle.........Did Not Exceed 75° 

0° - Maximum Pitch Angle...... Did Not Exceed 75° 

90° - Maximum Roll Angle...... Did Not Exceed 75° 

90° - Maximum Pitch Angle...... Did Not Exceed 75° 

Occupant Risk 

Longitudinal OIV.................. Not Applicable* 

Lateral OIV........................... Not Applicable* 

Longitudinal RA..................... Not Applicable* 

Lateral RA........................... Not Applicable* 

THIV................................. Not Applicable* 

PHD.................................... Not Applicable* 

ASI.................................... Not Applicable* 

Test Article Deflections 

0° Device Debris Field (longitudinal)...... 99.3 ft. (30.3 m) 

0° Device Debris Field (lateral)...... 22.3 ft. (6.8 m) 

90° Device Debris Field (longitudinal).... 101.3 ft. (30.9 m) 

90° Device Debris Field (lateral).... 12.9 ft. (3.9 m) 

Vehicle Damage 

Vehicle Damage Scale............ 12-FC-1 

CDC.................................... 12FDEN1 

Maximum Deformation............ MASH Deformation Limits Not 

Exceeded 0.0 in. (0.0 mm) 

* Not Applicable, device weighs less than 220 lbs (100 kg)

13 TR-P40325-01-C 

Figure 2 Summary of Test 3-71 
13 TR-P40326-01-C 

MASH 2016 Test 3-72 Summary

 0° CIA 90° CIA 

0.000 seconds 0.060 seconds 0.120 seconds 0.650 seconds 0.710 seconds 0.770 seconds

GENERAL INFORMATION

Test Agency.....................Applus IDIADA KARCO Engineering

Test Number.....................P40326-01

Test Designation............... 3-72

Test Date.........................1/18/21

TEST ARTICLE

Name / Model.....................Cortina M-Cade Universal Modular Barricade

Type.................................Work-Zone Traffic Control Device

Device Height .................. 3.4 ft. (1 m)

Key Elements.....................Panels, sand bag bar boards, posts

Road Surface.....................Smooth, clean concrete

TEST VEHICLE

Type / Designation............ 2270P

Year, Make, and Model.........2015 RAM 1500

Curb Mass........................5,044.2 lbs (2,288.0 kg)

Test Inertial Mass...............5,009.9 lbs (2,272.5 kg)

Gross Static Mass...............5,009.9 lbs (2,272.5 kg)

Impact Conditions

Impact Velocity Device 1.........63.32 mph (101.91 km/h)

Impact Velocity Device 2.........61.04 mph (98.23 km/h)

Device 1 Location/ Orientation...............20.8 in. (527 mm) From Vehicle 

Centerline on Passenger Side

Device 2 Location/ Orientation...............19.0 in. (482 mm) From Vehicle 

Centerline on Driver Side

Device 1 Angle.....................0.0°

Device 2 Angle.....................90.0°

Device 1 Kinetic Energy......... 671.6 kip-feet (910.5 Kilojoules)

Device 2 Kinetic Energy......... 623.9 kip-feet (846.0 Kilojoules)

Minimum KE Required....... 594 kip-feet (806 Kilojoules)

Exit Conditions

Device 1 Exit Velocity............61.84 mph (99.5 km/h)

Device 2 Exit Velocity............60.84 mph (97.9 km/h)

Vehicle Resting Position.........291.5 ft. (88.8 m) Downstream

10.4 ft. (3.2 m) Left

Vehicle Stability .....................Satisfactory

0° - Maximum Roll Angle.........Did Not Exceed 75°

0° - Maximum Pitch Angle...... Did Not Exceed 75°

90° - Maximum Roll Angle...... Did Not Exceed 75°

90° - Maximum Pitch Angle......Did Not Exceed 75°

Occupant Risk

Longitudinal OIV.....................Not Applicable*

Lateral OIV...........................Not Applicable*

Longitudinal RA.....................Not Applicable*

Lateral RA...........................Not Applicable*

THIV....................................Not Applicable*

PHD....................................Not Applicable*

ASI.................................... Not Applicable*

Test Article Deflections

0° Device Debris Field (longitudinal).. 152.7 ft. (46.5 m)

0° Device Debris Field (lateral)...3.4 ft. (1.0 m)

90° Device Debris Field (longitudinal)......104.8 ft. (32.0 m)

90° Device Debris Field (lateral)... 8.0 ft. (2.5 m)

Vehicle Damage

Vehicle Damage Scale............12-FC-1

CDC....................................12FDEN1

Maximum Deformation............MASH Deformation Limits Not 

Exceeded (0.0 in.) 0 mm

* Not Applicable, device weighs less than 220 lbs (100 kg)

Figure 2 Summary of Test 3-72
FOLDS FLAT

FOR STORAGE

An optional standard D-Cell

Barricade light attaches here

by inserting the lights bolt

thru the frame hole securing

the light in place.

3.0 CLOSED

PLASTIC PINS FIT

MOLDED HOLES,

KEEP FLATTENED

UNITS ALLIGNED

LARGE 1.28 RECESS

FOR SOCKET WRENCH,

HEAVY DUTY 0.36 THK

BOSS FOR LIGHT BOLT

MOLDED HOLES

ENGAGE PINS

FOR STACKING

Optional Sand Bag may be

placed over the lower sand

bag bar board of one side.

Specifications

1.) Composition Copolymer Polypropylene

2.) Color- White

3.) Type II

4.) Available in all grades of Reflective Sheeting

5.) Weight 13.1 lbs.

6.) Dimensions 41"H X 30"W in open position

02

01

REV REF REVISION DESCRIPTION BY DATE

MATERIAL

WEIGHT = 13.1 LBS

COLOR AND ANISH

THIS DRAWING IN DESIGN AND DETAIL IS THE PROPERTY OF CORTINA TOOL & MOLDING COMPANY

MATERIAL DESCRIBED AND INFORMATION CONVEYED MAY NOT BE COPIED, DIVULGED TO OTHERS OR USED FOR

MANUFACTURING OR ANY OTHER PURPOSE WITHOUT CONSENT ALL DESIGN AND INVENTION RIGHTS RESERVED

THIRD ANGLE

PROJECTION

TOLERANCES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED

2 PLACE DECIMALS ± N/A

3 PLACE DECIMALS ± N/A

ANGULAR DIMENSIONS ± N/A

CERTIFIED ISO 9002

www.cortinaco.com

10706 WEST GRAND AVENUE, FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131

M-Cade Type II Barricades

"M-CADE" UNIVERSAL MODULAR BARRICADE

SCALE AT B SIZE 1 = 8

DRAFTER

CHECKER

DATE

DATE

DRAWING NUMBER REVISION

02