MASH

Implementation

Rick Mowlds, State Sign Specialist

September 24, 2019
What is MASH?
• The Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware
• 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

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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

1974 1993 2016

1962 1980 2009

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 Test Vehicle Changes
• One of the most noticeable changes from
NCHRP 350 to MASH

NCHRP 350 MASH

Pickup Pickup

NCHRP 350 MASH

Small car Small car
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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
Vehicle may impact device differently (speed, angle,
not tracking)

Source: NCHRP Report 665

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Limitations of Crash Testing

• Site conditions may vary (slopes, curbs,

grade, curve, soil conditions)
• Device may be installed differently

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 AASHTO/FHWA Implementation
Agreement for NHS Highways
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
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National Highway System (NHS)
• 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

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 What is an Eligibility Letter?
• 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

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Eligibility Letter Status - Barriers
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

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Eligibility Letter Status –
Terminals & Crash Cushions
Letters Issued as of 7/17/2019
• W-Beam terminals – 9 devices
• Crash Cushions – 11 devices

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Eligibility Letter Status –
Breakaway Supports
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

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Eligibility Letter Status – Work
Zone Devices
• 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
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Questions??

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