California Department of Transportation
MASH Implementation
Overview, temporary traffic control devices, guardrail and new products contact information
STATE OF CALIFORNIADEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONDIVISION OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONSOFFICE OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
Bob Mcnew, P.E. /Randy Hiatt, P.E.
MASH Implementation
Caltrans Memorandum “Implementation of the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware” 12/23/2016
Caltrans Memorandum “Implementation of the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware” 12/23/2016
Temporary Traffic Control Device CategoriesSection 12-3.01A of the 2015 Standard Specifications defines category 1, 2, & 3 Temporary Traffic Control Devices.
Category 1: Small devices weighing less than 100 lbs. certified as crashworthy by crash testing or crash testing of similar devices. Category 1 temporary traffic control devices include traffic cones, plastic traffic drums, portable delineators, and channelizers.
Category 2: Small devices weighing less than 100 lbs. that are not expected to produce significant changes in vehicular velocity but could cause harm to impacting vehicles. Category 2 temporary traffic control devices include barricades and portable sign supports.
Category 3: Devices weighing 100 lbs. or more that are expected to produce significant changes in the vehicular velocity of impacting vehicles. Category 3 temporary traffic control devices include crash cushions, impact attenuator vehicles, temporary railing, temporary barrier, and end treatments for temporary railings and barriers.
Category 4: Is actually a subset of category 3, includes portable, usually trailer mounted, devices such as area lighting supports, flashing arrow panels, temporary traffic signals, and changeable message signs used in or adjacent to the traveled way.
Category 1 Devices
Category 1 devices require the manufacturer/vendor to certify crashworthiness.
Either the vendor or the manufacturer must perform the self-certification that their device is crashworthy – meets the evaluation criteria of MASH for Category 1 devices.
Information to Include for CertificationA. DateB. Federal aid number for a federal-aid contractC. Contract number, district, county, route, and post miles of the project limitsD. Company name, street address, city, state, and zip code of the certifying vendorE. Printed name, signature, and title of the certifying personF. Types of Category 1 temporary traffic control devices
Category 2 Devices• Small devices weighing less than 100 lb. that are not
expected to produce significant changes in vehicular velocity but could cause harm to impacting vehicles.
• Lights, batteries, solar panels, flags, and other ancillary features are often attached work-zone traffic control devices. These features should be tested with any common ancillary feature in place.
• Any other attachments that are normally incorporated in field applications with work zone traffic control devices, such as sandbags, flags, sign panels, etc., should also be utilized during crash testing to ensure proper impact performance.
Category 3 DevicesTemporary barriers, truck mounted attenuators and other fixed or massive devices needing crash testing. These devices require full testing and approval.
Category 4 DevicesDevices weighing 100 lbs. or more that are expected to produce significant changes in the vehicular velocity of impacting vehicles.
Category 4 is limited to the following trailer mounted devices:1. Flashing arrow panels.2. Changeable message signs3. Temporary traffic signals4. Portable work zone lighting devices5. Automated Flagger Assistance Devices
• 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.
• Recommend crash testing be performed early.
Transition for Temporary Work Zone Devices
Category 1: The vendor is to provide certification at least 5 business days before starting any work using the devices or within 2 business days after the request if the devices are already in use. Obtain a standard form for certification from the Engineer.
Category 2: Must have a letter of acceptance on FHWA Work Zone Devices page: https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/countermeasures/reduce_crash_severity/listing.cfm?code=workzone
Category 3: Follow the same New Products process used for permanent safety devices.
Category 4: Awaiting AASHTO Committee guidance for evaluation.
Caltrans Acceptance
New product approval information
Visit the Caltrans Product Evaluation Program (PEP) web page: http://www.dot.ca.gov/pep/
• Contact: [email protected] or at (916) 227-7373• Product Evaluation Program Overview (PDF) • Product Evaluation Program Guidelines (PDF) • New Product Evaluation Process Flowchart (PDF) • New Product Submittal Form (TL-9501) (PDF) • Authorized Material List Submittal Form (TL-9502) (PDF) • Authorized Material List (AML)• Plans and Specifications
Midwest Guardrail System
• Approved by Caltrans July 9, 2013
• MASH compliant• Original testing used 12”
block. Current standard plan allows 12” or 8” block.
• Mid-span rail splices reduce tearing and maintenance
