Roadside Safety

AMERICAN TRAFFIC SAFETY SERVICES

ASSOCIATION (ATSSA)
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER
April 3, 2019
 AGENDA

1. AASHTO/FHWA IMPLIMENTATON
AGREEMENT
▪ NATIONAL OVERVIEW
▪ NHDOT OVERVIEW
2. QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR
ROADSIDE SAFETY HARDWARE
INSTALLATON
3. NATIONAL AND STATE
CRASHWORTHY EVALUATON
NATIONAL OVERVIEW FOR
ROADSIDE SAFETY

AASHTO-FHWA Joint
Implementation Agreement
for MASH, 2016

https://design.transportation.org/mash-
implementation/
MASH Implementation Plan:
Encourage Innovation
• “Parallel approach” with objective
to allow manufacturers time to
develop new products.
• Over nine years later, we continue
to develop new MASH systems but
still see some limited movement
on some category of systems.
• Additional safety benefits of MASH
can only be realized if new
hardware is developed and
incorporated into roadside .
• Sunsetting 350 would provide the
incentive push.
AASHTO/FHWA Implementation
Agreement

• TCRS will continue to be responsible

for developing and maintaining the
evaluation criteria (MASH)

• FHWA will continue its role in issuing

letters of eligibility of highway safety
hardware for federal-aid
reimbursement
 Proposed Implementation
Agreement Objectives
• Urges agencies to establish a process for
replacing existing highway safety hardware that
has not been successfully tested to NCHRP
Report 350 or later criteria
• Encourages agencies to establish a policy for
upgrading existing highway safety hardware to
comply with the 2016 edition of MASH, such as
when:
– it becomes damaged beyond repair, or
– when related project work requires modification to,
or removal of, the existing hardware
 Implementation Agreement Sunset
Commitments
For contracts on the National Highway
System with a letting date after the dates
below, only safety hardware evaluated using
the 2016 edition of MASH criteria will be
allowed for new permanent installations and
full replacements:
❑ December 31, 2017: w-beam barriers and
cast-in-place concrete barriers
❑ June 30, 2018: w-beam terminals
❑ December 31, 2018: cable barriers, cable
barrier terminals, and crash cushions
❑ December 31, 2019: bridge rails,
transitions, all other longitudinal barriers
(including portable barriers installed
permanently), all other terminals, sign
supports, and all other breakaway
hardware
https://design.transportation.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2018/06/MASH-Implementation-Agreement-Final.pdf/
 Implementation Agreement
Commitments
• Temporary work zone devices,
including portable barriers,
manufactured after December 31, 2019,
must have been successfully tested to
the 2016 edition of MASH.
• Devices manufactured on or before this
date, and successfully tested to NCHRP
Report 350 or the 2009 edition of MASH,
may continue to be used throughout
their normal service lives.
 AASHTO Roadside Safety Resources

Website Page Set

up for Posting of
Updates and
Responses to
Questions

“MASH
Implementation
Information”
https://design.transportation.org/mash-implementation/
 AASHTO Roadside Safety Resources

Resources:
• Clarification of June 2018 Sunset Date, (June 26, 2018)
• Clarifications on Implementing MASH 2016 (aka
MASH Q&A), (May 9, 2018)
• AASHTO-FHWA Joint Implementation Agreement for
MASH, 2016
• FHWA’s Roadside Hardware Policy Memoranda and
Guidance
• Federal-aid Eligibility Letters for Roadside Hardware
• Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), 2016
Edition, in the AASHTO bookstore

https://design.transportation.org/mash-implementation/
MASH Implementation Clarification

Non Tangent and Median Terminals

• This sunset date covers tangent terminals.
Other applications, such as double-sided
or median terminals, flared terminals, and
terminals installed on a flare, are included
in the December 31, 2019, sunset date for
“all other terminals.”
https://design.transportation.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2018/06/FINAL-
Clarification-of-June-2018-Sunset-Date-for-MASH.pdf
MASH Implementation Clarification
Cable Barriers and Cable Terminals
• New permanent installations and full
replacements of cable barriers and cable
barrier terminals must be MASH 2016-
compliant by the December 31, 2019,
sunset date for “all other longitudinal
barriers” and “all other terminals.” New
permanent installations and full
replacements of crash cushions will still
require compliance with MASH 2016 by
December 31, 2018.”
https://design.transportation.org/wp-
content/uploads/sites/21/2018/08/FINAL-Modification-to-December-2018-
Sunset-Date-for-MASH.pdf
 FHWA - ROADSIDE SAFETY

Federal-aid
Eligibility
Letters for
Roadside
Hardware

https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/countermeasures/reduce_crash_severity/
 FHWA - ROADSIDE SAFETY

FHWA’s
Roadside
Hardware
Policy
Memoranda
and
Guidance
https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/countermeasures/reduce_crash_severity/policy_memo_guidance.cfm/
AASHTO TCRS Joint Meeting, 2019
 NHDOT MASH
IMPLEMENTATION
ACTION PLAN
NHDOT MASH IMPLEMENTATION
ACTION PLAN
MASH 2016 Compliance # 1:
W-beam barrier and Cast-in-Place concrete
barrier hardware let after December 31,
2017
✓ In compliance since 2016!
✓ Adopted 31 inch MGS as standard
Longitudinal Barrier (2016)
✓ Require Alternative Longitudinal Barrier to
Meet Mash 2016 (i.e.: Nu-Guard 31)
✓ Adopted 42 inch tall Single Slope Concrete
Barrier
NHDOT MASH IMPLEMENTATION
ACTION PLAN
MASH 2016 Compliance # 2:
W-Beam terminals: June 30, 2018
✓ Revised Special Provision, Section 606 to List
only MASH Eligible Terminals
✓ Two MASH Terminals Under Full Adoption
❑Softstop, Trinity Highway Products (TL 2 and TL 3)
❑ MSKT, Road Systems, Inc. (TL 2 and TL 3)
➢ Compliant since June, 2017
➢ Will Review Other MASH
Compliant Systems for Addition
to Special Provision
NHDOT MASH IMPLEMENTATION
ACTION PLAN

MASH 2016 Compliance # 3:

Cable barrier, cable barrier terminals, and crash cushions
by December 31, 2018
✓ Contracts to Specify MASH Cable Barriers and Crash
Cushions for Projects Advertised after April 1, 2019
✓ Crash Cushions Availability is Limited:
❑Quadguard (Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.)
❑SCI Smart Cushion (Work Area Protection Corp.)
✓ Permanent Applications through Special Provision
NHDOT MASH IMPLEMENTATION
APPROACH
MASH 2016 Compliance # 4:
Bridge rails, transitions, all other longitudinal barriers
(including portable barriers installed permanently), all
other terminals, sign supports, and all other breakaway
hardware by December 31, 2019
✓ Bridge Rails
❑ Review Underway on Bridge Rails in Use
❖ Two, Three and Four Bar Steel (Standard)
NHDOT MASH IMPLEMENTATION
APPROACH
MASH 2016 Compliance # 4:
Bridge rails, transitions, all other longitudinal barriers
(including portable barriers installed permanently), all
other terminals, sign supports, and all other breakaway
hardware by December 31, 2019
✓ Sign Supports and Temporary Traffic Control Devices
❑ Review Underway
 NH’s INSTALLATION
QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR
ROADSIDE SAFETY
HARDWARE
NH QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR
INSTALLATION OF ROADSIDE
SAFETY HARDWARE
• REVISION TO SPECIAL PROVISION
FOR SECTION 606 - GUARDRAIL
SPECIAL PROVISION SECTION 606
 SPECIAL PROVISION SECTION 606
Special Provision Section 606 – Guardrail
• Contractor shall provide the Engineer with copies of the manufacturer’s
documents indicating satisfactory testing in accordance with MASH 2016;
• The Contractor shall also provide the Engineer with copies of the
following:
• Manufacturer’s detail sheets and installation guide detailing all
requirements and system dimensions prior to installation.
• Proof of Training for the Trained Installer from the manufacturer of
the specific terminal unit to be installed.
• Manufacturer’s Installation Checklist, completed and signed off by
the Trained Installer who observed and inspected the installation of
the terminal unit.
• Manufacturer’s list of component parts which will be forwarded to
the appropriate maintenance office, if not included in the installation
guide.
 SPECIAL PROVISION SECTION 606

Special Provision Section 606 – Guardrail (Section

3.3.1.1 & 3.1.1.2)
• The Trained Installer shall have documented proof of
training from the manufacturer to install the specific
terminal unit. The Trained Installer shall be prepared to
show documentation/proof of training prior to any
terminal unit installation.
• The Trained Installer must be present during the
installation of the terminal unit.
Work in Progress for NHDOT
Division of Operation

❖ FHWA Installer Course

❖ ATSSA Course
❖ Installation Aids (i.e.: Apps)
❖ Product Training for Installation
NATIONAL AND STATE
CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
Current National Crashworthy
Evaluation
FHWA
Eligibility
Determination

Roadside Safety Hardware

▪ Developed under crash testing
criteria (MASH)
▪ Submitted to FHWA Safety
Office for Eligibility
Determination (Test Level)
 NATIONAL CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
• FHWA Future Role
– Government Accounting Office (GAO)
and independent Volpe reports
– No federal CFR requirements to provide
this service
– Intends to no longer provide this
crashworthy evaluation after December
31, 2019
– Transfer crashworthy evaluation to
State DOT’s
 NATIONAL CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
• AASHTO Future Role
– Evaluating options for crashworthy
oversight and documentation
management
– Objective to create central oversight
– Options under review
 NATIONAL CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
• AASHTO Options under discussion:
• Single State Agency review and assessment of RSH;
• Multi-State Agency Review and Assessment of RSH;
• Regional cooperation;
• AASHTO’s National Transportation Product Evaluation
Program (NTPEP);
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Model;
• FHWA Office of Safety Review;
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) Review;
• Manufacturer-based Certification.
 NATIONAL CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
• AASHTO Options under discussion:
• Preference Approach is to identify one
central independent organization (i.e.: similar
process with FHWA);
• Unsuccessfully explored opportunities with
American Society for Testing Materials
(ASTM) and Safety Equipment Institute (SEI)
• Continuing to review options….
 NH STATE
CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
 NHDOT CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
Determination of Crashworthiness of new
proprietary systems:
– Confirm the issuance of federal eligibility
letter;
– Confirm the crash testing was conducted
by an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory;
– Obtain manufacture’s data for crash
testing, installation and maintenance
 NHDOT CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
Determination of Crashworthiness of new
proprietary systems (con’t):
– Determination of system needs for NHDOT
based upon:
• Climate effects on system performance,
longevity, etc.;
• Complication of installation requirements;
• Maintenance requirements;
• Overall crash performance.;
– Approval by NHDOT Chief Engineer
– ISP to examine new products 3-5 yr’s after
implementation
 NHDOT CRASHWORTHY
EVALUATON
Determination of Crashworthiness of new
Generic systems:
– An engineering analysis conducted by
NHDOT, or group approved by NHDOT
(another state and/or state pool fund
organizations)
– Review crash testing conducted by an ISO
17025 accredited laboratory;
– Approval by NHDOT Chief Engineer
– ISP to examine new products 3-5 yr’s after
implementation
Contact:
Keith Cota
Chief Project Manager
(603) 271-1615
Keith.Cota@dot.nh.gov
TIER ROADWAY INVENTORY
ROADWAY INVENTORY BY DISTRICTS
 NHDOT’S ROADSIDE SAFETY HARDWARE
Londitudinal Guardrail Miles Runs
2 Cable 41.92 692
3 Cable 77.77 1000
32" Barrier 15.08 121
4 Cable 2.21 22
42" Barrier F-Shaped 9.83 43
42" Barrier Single Slope 15.70 55
48" Barrier Single Slope 1.59 7
54" Barrier Single Slope 0.26 6
BRT2 Rail 0.40 3
Box Beam 7.77 18
Delineator 10.28 349
Double Faced Thrie-Beam 7.68 28
Double Faced W-Beam 28.46 97
Nested W Beam 3.04 37
Other 1.85 104
Standard W Beam 870.00 10767
Thrie Beam 2.77 98
Total 1096.63 13447
 NHDOT’S ROADSIDE SAFETY HARDWARE
Terminal Type Units
32" Barrier 194
42" Barrier F-Shaped 60
42" Barrier Single Slope 62
Anchorage Unit 44
Beam Type Attenuator 18
Bridge Transition 4855 MELT Transition
CAT Attenuator 24
Cell Type Attenuator 36
Continuous 2330
Controlled Release Terminal (CRT) 185
EAGRT - SKT-350 388
EAGRT 25ft 438
EAGRT 50ft 1986
SKT 350 ET-Plus
EAGRT – ET - PLUS 1580
ELT 2456
FLEAT 366
G-2 Departure End Unit 208
MELT 3711
Non-Standard Buried End 68
None 4293 X-Tension
Other 1879
X-Lite
Terminal Unit Type E1 221
Terminal Unit Type E2 370 *MASH
Terminal Unit Type F 750
Unknown 4
Xtension 350 32 Buried in Back Slope
Total 26558 SoftStop*
 NHDOT’S SAFETY HARDWARE
➢ None Compliant Systems
❑Two/three cable barriers – 118 miles
❑F Turndowns – 750
❑CRT’s - 185
➢ NHCRP 350 Compliant Systems
❑W-Beam, Strong Posts 740 miles
❑SKT–350 – 388 units
❑ET Plus - 1580 units
❑ELTs – 2456 units
❑Melts – 3711 units
❑Still Unknown – 8,596 systems
NHDOT MASH IMPLEMENTATION
Bridge Rail
❑ Working with New
England States (Maine,
Vermont, Mass) for MASH
compliant system Reviews
➢ Bridge Rail
➢ Transition Rail
Temporary Concrete Barrier
❑Work with New England
States in Evaluating TCB
or
❑ Adopted MASH system
 Design Guidance for Implementation
➢ Guidance Geared To Tiered Roadway
Approach:
❑ Tier 1 Top Priority for compliance to
MASH
➢ Damaged Systems (>50%) – Replaced with
MASH Compliant System
➢ RRR & Overlay Projects – Rail height less
than 27 ¾ in. to be replaced
➢ HSIP Program - $2.5 Million per Year
Programmatic Funding for non-compliant
system replacements