Rick Mowlds, State Sign Specialist

September 24, 2019

MASH

Implementation

What is MASH?

• The Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware

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• Not the TV Show!

• Specifies tests for roadside hardware

devices

• Six unique Test Levels for longitudinal

barriers

• Test matrices for crash cushions, supports

and work zone devices

• Worst Practical Conditions

Manual for Assessing Safety

Hardware (MASH)

• MASH Implementation Agreement

• Eligibility Letters

– What are they?

• Status – What hardware has been tested

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Evolution of Crash Procedures

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1962

1974

1980

1993

2009

2016

Test Vehicle Changes

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• One of the most noticeable changes from

NCHRP 350 to MASH

NCHRP 350Pickup

MASHPickup

NCHRP 350Small car

MASHSmall car

MASH Evaluation Criteria

• Structural adequacy of the

tested feature

• Occupant risk

• Vehicle trajectory after

impact

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Barrier Testing

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Limitations of Crash Testing

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Vehicle may impact device differently (speed, angle,

not tracking)

Source: NCHRP Report 665

Limitations of Crash Testing

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• Site conditions may vary (slopes, curbs,

grade, curve, soil conditions)

• Device may be installed differently

AASHTO/FHWA Implementation

Agreement for NHS Highways

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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:

W-beam barrier and cast-in-place concrete barrier: December 31, 2017

W-beam terminals: June 30, 2018

Cable barrier, cable barrier terminals, and crash cushions: December 31, 2018*

Bridge rails, transitions, all other longitudinal barriers (including portable barriers installed permanently), all other terminals, sign supports, and all other breakaway hardware: December 31, 2019

National Highway System (NHS)

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• Includes the Interstate Highway System as well

as other roads important to the nation's economy,

defense, and mobility.

• MAP-21 resulted in the addition of 1,200 miles of

Washington roads to the NHS.

• Local Agency NHS List:

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/travel/hpms/

pdf/LocalAgencyNationalHighwaySystemRoutes2

016inWashington.pdf

What is an Eligibility Letter?

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• Service to the FHWA Division Offices and States since the 1980’s

• Review of crash tests and evaluations

• If device meets crash test criteria, FHWA issues letter indicating that it is eligible for FHWA reimbursement

• Effective December 31, 2015 FHWA no longer accepts requests for modifications to NCHRP 350 hardware.

• 2 reviews are ongoing by the GAO and Volpe that may recommend changes to this process.

https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/countermeasures/faqs/faq_eligibility_letters.cfm

Eligibility Letter Status - Barriers

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Letters Issued as of 7/17/2019

• W-beam Guardrail – 22 Devices

• Guardrail Transitions – 12 Devices

• Cable Barrier – 5 Devices (MASH 2009)

• Concrete Barrier – 7 Devices

• Bridge Rail – 12 Devices

• Portable Barriers – 34 Devices

• Other – 11 devices

Note- There has been additional testing conducted (NCHRP projects) but Eligibility letters have not been requested

Eligibility Letter Status –Terminals & Crash Cushions

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Letters Issued as of 7/17/2019

• W-Beam terminals – 9 devices

• Crash Cushions – 11 devices

Eligibility Letter Status –Breakaway Supports

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Letters Issued as of 7/19/2017

• Sign Post Supports – 2 devices

• Luminaire Supports - 0

Note:

• MASH now requires testing with the PU truck that

was not required under NCHRP 350

• There has been additional testing conducted

(NCHRP projects) but Eligibility letters have not

been requested

Eligibility Letter Status – Work Zone Devices

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• Letters Issued as of 7/19/2019

• Portable Sign Stands – 13 devices

• Barricades – 8 devices

• Longitudinal Channelizers – 23 devices

• Delineators – 7 devices

• Other – 2 devices

Note – MASH now requires testing with the PU

truck that was not required under NCHRP 350

Questions??

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