Overview
This website contains information on all types of roadside hardware that have been formally accepted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for use on the National Highway System (NHS), a service to the highway community that has been in place since the mid-1980's. The specific types of hardware includes traffic barriers, barrier terminals and crash cushions, bridge railings, breakaway supports (sign, luminaire, and miscellaneous), and work zone devices.
A number of public and private facilities conduct crash testing of roadside hardware. Anyone interested in having their hardware crash tested is encouraged to contact more than one as pricing and scheduling will vary among them.
FHWA policy requires the use of devices on the NHS that have been successfully tested in accordance with the guidelines contained in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features.”
The AASHTO / AGC / ARTBA Joint Committee on New Technologies' Task Force 13 - Standardization of Highway and Bridge Hardware is a 250+ member group that develops, recommends, and promotes standards and specifications for bridge and road hardware used by highway and transportation agencies on the nation's roadways. Task Force 13 is a committee of concerned and experienced representatives from industry, academia, and state and federal transportation departments. The Task Force meets twice yearly and cooperates closely with the AASHTO Technical Committee on Roadside Safety and the TRB Committee AFB-20 - Roadside Safety. The Task Force's website includes links to its subcommittees' publications, all of which are planned to be posted on line.
