1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. 

Washington, DC 20590

April 18, 2008 

In Reply Refer To: HSSD/CC-26I 

Barry D. Stephens, P.E. 

Sr. Vice President Engineering 

Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. 

3617 Cincinnati Avenue 

Rocklin, CA 95678 

Dear Mr. Stephens: 

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

acceptance of a roadside safety device for use on the National Highway System (NHS). 

Name of device/system: Optimized version of a 9-cylinder REACT 350® 

Type of device/system: Redirective non-gating impact attenuator 

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3 (TL-3) 

Testing conducted by: E-TECH Testing Services 

Date of request: November 12, 2007 

You requested that we find this device acceptable for use on the NHS under the provisions of 

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 “Recommended 

Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features.” 

Requirements

Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines contained in the NCHRP Report 350, 

"Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features". 

FHWA Memorandum “ACTION: Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety Features” of July 25, 

1997, provides further guidance on crash testing requirements of longitudinal barriers. 

Description

The REACT 350® uses an array of different energy absorbing cylinders with varying wall 

thicknesses to dissipate impact energy. We have accepted variations in the REACT system in 

FHWA acceptance letters beginning with CC-26 dated March 3, 1995, and most recently with 

CC-26H dated November 2, 2002. In your current request you asked for FHWA review and 

acceptance of an optimized system which is a self-restoring, redirective, non-gating crash 

cushion that can be used in temporary or permanent installations for both uni- and bi-directional 

traffic applications when appropriately transitioned and anchored. 

SUPERSEDED – SEE FHWA ELIGIBILTY LETTER CC-26K 

http://safetytest.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/policy_guide/road_hardware/barriers/

pdf/cc26k.pdf

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

ed Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

rseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

uperseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Supersed

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erseded Superseded Superseded Superseded S

ded Superseded Superseded Supersede
2

The optimized system modified the rear four cylinders by making them slightly thicker and more 

robust. To support your request, you supplied an NCHRP 350 compliance report prepared by 

E-TECH Testing Services, Inc. that describes the REACT 350® as well as the three full-scale 

crash tests you conducted on this attenuator. 

Crash Testing 

The Energy Absorption Systems developed the optimized REACT to withstand at least three 

consecutive impacts without requiring maintenance or resetting between impacts. You evaluated 

the redesign by conducting three full-scale NCHRP 350 tests. The first test you completed was 

NCHRP 350 test 3-30 (820C/100KPH/0 deg/ w/offset) which you then followed with two 

consecutive NCHRP 350 tests 3-31 (2000P/100KPH/0 deg). Your test report stated that all three 

tests were conducted over a five day period and the system received no maintenance or resetting 

between tests. Your three TL-3 tests (100 km/h) verified that the impact performance for light 

cars (820kg) was acceptable and that heavier vehicles could also be brought to a safe and 

controlled stop without resetting the test article. You also analyzed the other Report 350 tests 

recommended for impact attenuators and documented why no further testing was warranted by 

the cylinder modification. 

Findings 

Based upon the successful completion of the aforementioned NCHRP 350 tests you provided, we 

agree that your 9 cylinder TL-3 model of the REACT 350® redirective, non-gating crash cushion 

can be used in temporary or permanent installations for both uni- and bi-directional traffic 

applications when appropriately transitioned and anchored. The system as described above may 

be used on the NHS when such use is acceptable to the contracting authority. 

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA letters of acceptance: 

• This acceptance is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the devices/systems 

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

Traffic Control Devices. 

• Any changes that may adversely influence the crashworthiness of the device/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 device/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 

CC-26I 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. 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

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rseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

uperseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

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• The REACT 350® is a patented product and considered proprietary. If proprietary 

devices/systems are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects, 

except exempt, non-NHS projects, they: (a) 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 device/system for which the applicant is not the 

patent holder. The acceptance letter is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of 

the candidate device/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, 

David A. Nicol, P.E. 

Director, Office of Safety Design 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 

FHWA:HSSD:NArtimovich:tb:x61331:4/14/08 

File: s://directory folder/nartimovich/CC26I-easIREACTfin.doc 

cc: HSSD (Reader, HSA; Chron File, HSSD; N.Artimovich, HSSD; 

 MBloschock, HSSD; M.McDonough, HSSD) 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

ed Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

rseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

uperseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

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1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. 

Washington, DC 20590

April 18, 2008 

In Reply Refer To: HSSD/CC-26I 

Barry D. Stephens, P.E. 

Sr. Vice President Engineering 

Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. 

3617 Cincinnati Avenue 

Rocklin, CA 95678 

Dear Mr. Stephens: 

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

acceptance of a roadside safety device for use on the National Highway System (NHS). 

 Name of device/system: Optimized version of a 9-cylinder REACT 350® 

Type of device/system: Redirective non-gating impact attenuator 

 Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3 (TL-3) 

 Testing conducted by: E-TECH Testing Services 

 Date of request: November 12, 2007 

You requested that we find this device acceptable for use on the NHS under the provisions of 

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 “Recommended 

Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features.” 

Requirements

Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines contained in the NCHRP Report 350, 

"Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features". 

FHWA Memorandum “ACTION: Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety Features” of July 25, 

1997, provides further guidance on crash testing requirements of longitudinal barriers. 

Description 

The REACT 350® uses an array of different energy absorbing cylinders with varying wall 

thicknesses to dissipate impact energy. We have accepted variations in the REACT system in 

FHWA acceptance letters beginning with CC-26 dated March 3, 1995, and most recently with 

CC-26H dated November 2, 2002. In your current request you asked for FHWA review and 

acceptance of an optimized system which is a self-restoring, redirective, non-gating crash 

cushion that can be used in temporary or permanent installations for both uni- and bi-directional 

traffic applications when appropriately transitioned and anchored. 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

ed Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

rseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

uperseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Supersed

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Supe

erseded Superseded Superseded Superseded S

ded Superseded Superseded Supersede
2

The optimized system modified the rear four cylinders by making them slightly thicker and more 

robust. To support your request, you supplied an NCHRP 350 compliance report prepared by 

E-TECH Testing Services, Inc. that describes the REACT 350® as well as the three full-scale 

crash tests you conducted on this attenuator. 

Crash Testing 

The Energy Absorption Systems developed the optimized REACT to withstand at least three 

consecutive impacts without requiring maintenance or resetting between impacts. You evaluated 

the redesign by conducting three full-scale NCHRP 350 tests. The first test you completed was 

NCHRP 350 test 3-30 (820C/100KPH/0 deg/ w/offset) which you then followed with two 

consecutive NCHRP 350 tests 3-31 (2000P/100KPH/0 deg). Your test report stated that all three 

tests were conducted over a five day period and the system received no maintenance or resetting 

between tests. Your three TL-3 tests (100 km/h) verified that the impact performance for light 

cars (820kg) was acceptable and that heavier vehicles could also be brought to a safe and 

controlled stop without resetting the test article. You also analyzed the other Report 350 tests 

recommended for impact attenuators and documented why no further testing was warranted by 

the cylinder modification. 

Findings 

Based upon the successful completion of the aforementioned NCHRP 350 tests you provided, we 

agree that your 9 cylinder TL-3 model of the REACT 350® redirective, non-gating crash cushion 

can be used in temporary or permanent installations for both uni- and bi-directional traffic 

applications when appropriately transitioned and anchored. The system as described above may 

be used on the NHS when such use is acceptable to the contracting authority. 

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA letters of acceptance: 

• This acceptance is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the devices/systems 

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

Traffic Control Devices. 

• Any changes that may adversely influence the crashworthiness of the device/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 device/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 

CC-26I 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. 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

ed Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

rseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

uperseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Supersed

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Supe

erseded Superseded Superseded Superseded S

ded Superseded Superseded Supersede
3

• The REACT 350® is a patented product and considered proprietary. If proprietary 

devices/systems are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects, 

except exempt, non-NHS projects, they: (a) 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 device/system for which the applicant is not the 

patent holder. The acceptance letter is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of 

the candidate device/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, 

David A. Nicol, P.E. 

Director, Office of Safety Design 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 

FHWA:HSSD:NArtimovich:tb:x61331:4/14/08 

File: s://directory folder/nartimovich/CC26I-easIREACTfin.doc 

cc: HSSD (Reader, HSA; Chron File, HSSD; N.Artimovich, HSSD; 

 MBloschock, HSSD; M.McDonough, HSSD) 

Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

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uperseded Superseded Superseded Superseded Superseded 

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