1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, D.C. 20590 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST-1 / B-311 

Mr. Felipe Almanza 

TrafFix Devices Inc. 

160 A venida La Pata 

San Clemente CA 92672 

Dear Mr. Almanza: 

This letter is in response to your August 10, 2018 request for the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHW A) to review a roadside safety device, hardware, or system for eligibility 

for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. This FHWA letter of eligibility is 

assigned FHWA control number B-311 and is valid until a subsequent letter is issued by FHW A 

that expressly references this device. 

Decision 

The following device is eligible within the length-of-need, with details provided in the form 

which is attached as an integral part of this letter: 

• TrafFix Water Cable Barrier with Water Wall Fence Panels 

Scope of this Letter 

To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, new roadside safety devices should meet the crash 

test and evaluation criteria contained in the American Association of State Highway and 

Transportation Officials'(AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). 

However, the FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United States Government do 

not regulate the manufacture of roadside safety devices. Eligibility for reimbursement under the 

Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval, certification or endorsement of the 

device for any particular purpose or use. 

This letter is not a determination by the FHWA, the Department of Transportation, or the United 

States Government that a vehicle crash involving the device will result in any particular 

outcome, nor is it a guarantee of the in-service performance of this device. Proper 

manufacturing, installation, and maintenance are required in order for this device to function as 

tested. 

This finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness ofthe system and does not cover other 

structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

September 19, 2018
2 

Eligibility for Reimbursement 

Based solely on a review of crash test results and certifications submitted by the manufacturer, 

and the crash test laboratory, FHWA agrees that the device described herein meets the crash test 

and evaluation criteria of the AASHTO's MASH. Therefore, the device is eligible for 

reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program if installed under the range of tested 

conditions. 

Name of system: TrafFix Water Cable Barrier with Water Wall Fence Panels 

Type of system: Longitudinal Barrier 

Test Level: MASH Test Level 2 (TL2) 

Testing conducted by: KARCO 

Date ofrequest: August 10, 2018 

Date initially acknowledged: August 14, 2018 

FHW A concurs with the recommendation of the accredited crash testing laboratory on the 

attached form. 

Full Description of the Eligible Device 

The device and supporting documentation, including reports of the crash tests or other testing 

done, videos of any crash testing, and/or drawings of the device, are described in the attached 

form. 

Notice 

This eligibility letter is issued for the subject device as tested. Modifications made to the device 

are not covered by this letter. Any modifications to this device should be submitted to the user 

(i.e., state DOT) as per their requirements. 

You are expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design, installation and 

maintenance requirements to ensure proper performance. 

You are 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 test 

and evaluation criteria of AASHTO's MASH. 

Issuance of this letter does not convey property rights of any sort or any exclusive privilege. This 

letter is based on the premise that information and reports submitted by you are accurate and 

correct. We reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter if: (1) there are any inaccuracies in 

the information submitted in support of your request for this letter, (2) the qualification testing 

was flawed, (3) in-service performance or other information reveals safety problems, (4) the 

system is significantly different from the version that was crash tested, or (5) any other 

information indicates that the letter was issued in error or otherwise does not reflect full and 

complete information about the crashworthiness of the system. 
3 

Standard Provisions 

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

control number B-311 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 upon request. 

• This letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the FHW A to use, 

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

• This FHW A eligibility letter is not an expression of any Agency view, position, or 

determination of validity, scope, or ownership of any intellectual property rights to a 

specific device or design. Further, this letter does not impute any distribution or licensing 

rights to the requester. This FHW A eligibility letter determination is made based solely 

on the crash-testing information submitted by the requester. The FHW A reserves the 

right to review and revoke an earlier eligibility determination after receipt of subsequent 

information related to crash testing. 

• Ifthe subject device is a patented product it may be considered to be proprietary. If 

proprietary systems are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid 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. 

Sincerely, 

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 1 of 5 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: August 10, 2018 I (e New C, Resubmission 

Name: Felipe Almanza 

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Company: 

Address: 

Country: 

TrafFix Devices Inc. 

160 Avenida La Pata San Clemente CA 92672 

United States 

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 Fl 

System Type Submission Type Device Name/ Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'B': Rigid/Semi-Rigid Barriers (e Physical Crash Testing TrafFix Water Cable AASHTO MASH TL2 

(Roadside, Median, Bridge 

Railings) (' Engineering Analysis 

Barrier W/Water Wall 

Fence Panels 

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: Felipe Almanza Same as Submitter ~ 

Company Name: TrafFix Devices Inc. Same as Submitter ~ 

Address: 160 Avenida La Pata San Clemente CA 92672 Same as Submitter ~ 

Country: United States 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. 

TrafFix Devices Inc. and Karco Engineering LLC share no financial interests between the two organizations. This 

includes no shared financial interest. but not limited to: 

i. Compensation including wages, salaries, commissions, professional fees, or fees for business referrals 

iii. Research funding or other forms of research support; 

iv. Patents, copyrights, licenses, and other intellectual property interests; 

vi. Business ownership and investment interests; 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 2 of 5 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

(e) New Hardware or (',Modification to 

• Significant Modification Existing Hardware 

The TrafFix Water Cable Barrier (WCB) with Water Wall Fence Panels is a longitudinal barrier designed to 

contain, redirect, and shield vehicles from roadside obstacles while providing positive protection and 

separation between the traveling public and the personnel in the work zone. The TrafFix WCB with Water Wall 

Fence panels can be used in TL-1 and TL-2 applications. The barrier system is free standing, does not require 

anchoring to the road surface, can be used on concrete, asphalt, gravel, and dirt surfaces. The surfaces used for 

these tests were concrete and dirt. The TrafFix WCB can be used with or without the optional Water Wall Fence 

panels. For these tests the fence panels were included. 

A barrier system consists of individual water filled modules with fence panels that are connected to adjacent 

water filled modules and fence panels creating a continuous barrier wall of unlimited maximum length with a 

minimum Length Of Need of 13 connected modules. Adjoining modules can rotate up to 30 degrees between 

the connection with or without the fence panels installed, allowing the barrier wall to contour to varying road 

curvature. 

Individual modules have overall dimensions of approximately 73 in (1.9 m) long, pin to pin X 18 in (0.46 m) 

wide X 32 in (0.8 m) tall with an empty weight of approximately 90 lbs. (41 kg) and approximately 1,070.3 lbs. 

(485.5 kg) when filled with water. The modules are manufactured from polyethylene that is UV stabilized. The 

as tested module colors were orange and white and may be produced in other colors. The modules are 

designed with four knuckles at each end which contain a series of vertically aligned concentric holes that allow 

a steel t-pin to be inserted to connect adjacent modules together. When modules are pinned together there 

are a total of eight knuckles aligned with the steel t-pin inserted. This provides a positive connection between 

adjacent modules. 

Permanently molded within the top three upper knuckles are molded in corrosion resistant cables. The three 

cables in each module act similarly to a cable barrier when impacted. Upon impact the plastic modules 

rupture, dispersing the contained water, simultaneously engaging and tightening the internal molded-in cable 

barrier. 

The TrafFix WCB was previously tested, passed, and was issued two FHWA Eligibility letters B-271 and B-272. 

The barrier modules used in this recent test series are identical to the barrier modules tested under B-271 and 

B-272. 

The Water Wall Fence panels are attached to the Water Cable Barrier by inserting a 72.25 in (1 .84 m) long drop 

t-pin through the sides of the fence panels. The fence panels have overall dims. of approximately 74.50 in (1 .90 

m) X wide 51.75 in (1.31 m) tall. 

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: Robert Ramirez 

Digitally sign ed by Robert Ramirez 

ON: cn =Robert R.:i mirez, o=KARCO Engineerin g, ou=Pr oject En gineer, Engineer Signature: Robert Ramirez email=rtamirez@karco.com, c• US 

Date: 20 18.08.09 17:43: 15 -07'00' 

Address: 9270 Holly Rd Adelanto, CA 92301 Same as Submitter D 

Country: United States Same as Submitter D 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 3 of 5 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

The TrafFix Water Cable Barrier (WCB) with 

Water Wall Fence Panels was angled 25° 

from the direction of the impacting vehicle. 

The side angle impact examines the 

barrier's ability to contain, re-direct, or bring 

the vehicle to a controlled stop. The vehicle 

should not penetrate the installation, while 

controlled lateral deflection of the test 

2-10(1100C) 

article is acceptable. 

The test was conducted using a 

commercially available 2013 Hyundai 

Accent 4-door sedan with a test inertial 

mass of 2,401 .9 lbs. (1,089.5 kg). The test 

vehicle impacted the barrier at a velocity of 

44.01 mph (70.83 km/hr) and at an impact 

angle of 25.5°. The as tested MASH Water 

Cable Barrier with Water Wall Fence Panels 

consisted of 25 water filled modules and 

fence panels pinned together measuring 

152.1 ft (46.4 m) long, pin to pin. Upon 

initial contact with the first module the 

vehicle moved forward, impacted the 

adjacent module causing the module to 

rupture, dispersing the contained water, 

simultaneously engaging and tightening 

the internal molded-in cable barrier All 

fence panels remained attached to the 

barrier modules throughout the impact 

event. The vehicle was contained on the 

traffic side of the barrier and was brought to 

a controlled stop 23.3 ft (7 .1 m) 

longitudinally (downstream) and 8.9 ft (2.7 

m) lateral (toward non-traffic side) from the 

initial point of contact. The barrier had a 

maximum working width of 12.1 ft. (3.7 m) 

and a maximum dynamic deflection of 10.4 

ft (3.2 m). 

The vehicle remained upright throughout 

the impact event. The test vehicle's 

occupant compartment was not penetrated 

and there was no measurable in cab 

deformation. The maximum roll and pitch 

angle did not exceed 75 degrees and 

occupant risk values were within limits per 

MASH specifications for Occupant Impact 

Velocity (OIV) and Ridedown Acceleration 

(RA). 

PASS 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 4 of 5 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description 

Evaluation 

Results 

2-11 (2270P) 

The TrafFix Water Cable Barrier with Water 

Wall Fence panels was angled 25 degrees 

from the direction of the impacting vehicle. 

The side angle impact examines the 

barrier's ability to contain, re-direct, or bring 

the vehicle to a controlled stop. The vehicle 

should not penetrate the installation while 

controlled lateral deflection of the test 

article is acceptable. 

The test was conducted using a 

commercially available 2014 RAM 1500 4-

door with a test inertial mass of 5,016.5 lbs. 

(2,275.5 kg). The test vehicle impacted the 

barrier at a velocity of 44.71 mph (71 .96 km/ 

hr) and at an impact angle of 25.1 °. The as 

tested MASH Water Cable Barrier with Water 

Wall Fence panel consisted of 25 water filled 

modules and fence panels pinned together 

measuring 152.1 ft (46.4 m) long, pin to pin. 

Upon initial contact with the first module 

the vehicle moved forward, impacted the 

adjacent module causing the module to 

rupture, dispersing the contained water, 

simultaneously engaging and tightening 

the internal molded-in cable barrier. All 

fence panels remained attached to the 

barrier modules. The vehicle was 

contained on the traffic side of the barrier 

and was brought to a controlled stop 27.4 ft 

(8.4 m) longitudinally (downstream) and 

18.4 ft (5 .6 m) lateral (toward non-traffic 

side) from the initial point of contact. The 

barrier had a maximum working width of 

22.7 ft. (6.9 m) and a maximum dynamic 

deflection of 19.2 ft (5.9 m). 

The vehicle rema ined upright throughout 

the impact event. The test vehicle's 

occupant compartment was not penetrated 

and there was no measurable in cab 

deformation. The maximum roll and pitch 

angle did not exceed 75 degrees and 

occupant risk values were within limits per 

MASH specifications for Occupant Impact 

Velocity (OIV) and Ridedown Acceleration 

(RA). 

PASS 

2-20 (1100C) Transition tests are not applicable for this 

product. Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

2-21 (2270P) Transition tests are not applicable for this 

product. Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 
Version 10.0 (05/16) 

Page 5 of 5 

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 

Laboratory Signature:  Digitally signed by Alex Beltran

ON: cn::Alex Beltran, o=KARCO Engineering, ou=Testing Laboratory, 

email=abelt ran @karco.com, c=US 

Date: 2018.08.09 17:42:23 -07'00' 

Address: 9270 HOLLY RD ADELANTO CA Same as Submitter D 

Country: UNITED STATES Same as Submitter D 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period : 

TL-371, July 2018 - July 2019 

Submit Form 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 

I) 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 al so be submitted 

to facilitate our review. 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter 

Number Date Key Words 
 

13 TR-P38064-01-NC 
13 TR-P38068-01-NC