Purpose

The purpose of this memorandum is to share information with you regarding a version of the REACT 350 crash cushion with a 9 cylinder configuration that was manufactured and sold between 1996 and 2007. The infom1ation pertains to a recent voluntary disclosure made by Trinity Industries to FHWA regarding a crash test conducted in 2007 that exceeded the allowable limit for Occupant Ridedown Acceleration, one of two performance factors used to assess occupant risk under National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 350 report.

Background

On April 12, 1995, FHW A issued a letter of "full acceptance" of a crash cushion called the "REACT 350" with various configurations including a 9 cylinder configuration. In late 1996-1997, the inventor modified the 9 cylinder REACT 350 by changing the three rearmost cylinders from 1.4" thickness to 1.8" thickness. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) computer modeling and engineering judgement, but not crash testing, was used by the inventor to evaluate the crashworthiness of the device with this modification. The modified 9 cylinder device was then manufactured and sold to customers by companies including Roadway Safety Services Inc. and Energy Absorption Systems (EAS), Inc. from 1996 to 2007.

In 2007, EAS had crash tests performed of the modified 9 cylinder REACT 350 device with the three rear most cylinders at 1.8" thickness. The Occupant Ridedown Acceleration result of the first crash test was measured at 20.8 G. After these 2007 crash test results, EAS stopped manufacturing and selling the modified 9 cylinder REACT 350 device and reverted back to selling the 9 cylinder REACT 350 device with the three rearmost cylinders with 1.4" thickness. In 2010, Trinity acquired EAS.

Trinity Industries recently voluntarily disclosed to FHW A the results of the 2007 crash test. As of the date of this letter, FHWA has been unable to locate any documentation showing that we were aware that EAS had performed this 2007 crash test or of its results. NCHRP Report 350 (Report 350) presents criteria used to evaluate the results of crash testing of roadside safety hardware. Between 1993 and 2015, FHW A relied on Report 350 as guidance to determine whether or not a crash test demonstrates that a roadside safety hardware device was eligible for Federal-aid funding. Report 350 states the "the Occupant Ridedown Accelerations should satisfy a maximum limit of20 G". We have interpreted the 20 G value to permit up to 20.49 G due to rounding.

FHWA evaluated the significance of the modified 9 cylinder REACT 350 exceeding the Report 350 maximum recommended limit for ORA. FHW A contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to gain insight on the risk of serious injury when 20.5 G is exceeded. The NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) rates vehicles relative to their crashworthiness. NCAP gathers vehicle data that can be used to show ORA values from crash tests. FHWA reviewed NCAP vehicle data from full frontal, rigid barrier crash testing of 67 recent tests on model year 2013 and 20 J 4 vehicles. Data gathered from these tests show 88 percent of the vehicles were rated 4 or 5 stars and those vehicles had ORA values ranging from 25.6 G up to 58.8 G with an average value of 35.9 G.

After evaluating this information, FH WA has concluded that the existence of an ORA value slightly above 20.49 G during crash testing does not reflect a dramatically increased risk of serious injury in comparison to an ORA value of 20.49 G. FHWA is not aware of any additional information relating to the modified REACT 350 to lead FHWA to a different conclusion. Notwithstanding that conclusion, FHWA notes that the modified 9 cylinder REACT 350 device does not meet the NCHRP 350 recommended ORA maximum value.

Action

Please share this memorandum and the enclosed letter to Trinity with your State DOT and any city, county or municipality in your State with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of their roadways. FHWA has requested that Trinity notify highway
agencies of the 2007 test results in a manner reasonably likely to reach all purchasers and users of the modified 9 cylinder REACT 350 device. FHWA has also requested that Trinity develop a plan to offer modification or replacement of any modified 9 cylinder REACT 350 device that an owner or operator identifies. Given the limited ability to visually distinguish between the 1.4" and 1.8" thickness cylinders, FHW A has asked Trinity to provide guidance and assistance with identifying the modified 9 cylinder REACT 350 with 1.8" thickness cylinders.

If you have questions, please contact Michael Griffith at (202) 366-9469 or mike.griffith@dot.gov

Enclosure

Page last modified on September 16, 2016