815 iii. No limit shall be placed on the total number of supports. However, no more than two supports of size two ( 2) inch x 12 -ga. or less shall be placed l aterally within a seven ( 7) foot wide path; and no more than one support of size 2 -¼-inch x 14 or 12 -ga., 2 -½-inch x 12-ga., or 2 -3/16-inch x 10 -ga. shall be placed laterally within a seven ( 7) foot wide path. iv. Traffic signs are securely mounted to the supp orts in accordance with the mounting height guidelines provided on Sheet TP3 -1A of the WVDOH Standard Details Book Volume II. “Crashworthy” shall be defined as compliance with the crash testing requirements of the AASHTO MASH at Test Levels I, II, and II I. FHWA eligibility letters, crash testing reports, or other supporting documentation shall be provided upon request. The manufacturer shall make available installation instructions for posting and dissemination by the Division to inspection and mainten ance personnel.
709.54 Back To Back U -Channel Sign Support Breakaway Device :
Back to Back U -Channel Sign Support Breakaway Devices shall be designed for use with 4-lb/ft and/or 6 -lb/ft back to back supports shown on Standard Detail Book Volume II (Standard Details) sheets TE1 -7A and TE1 -7B. The purpose of the device shall be to create an omni - directional breakaway base connection. The device shall be designed for use with a stub and upper support of one or both of the back to back size supports specified above. Differences in the dimensioning of components used with each size support is permissible. The device shall be designed and tested to meet the following requirements :
i.Withstand loading which meets or exceeds that which will be generated based on the Support Size Selection Chart on Sheet TE1 -7A, as well as cyclical loading, without failure. ii. Shall be compatible with one or more of the supports listed on the Division Ap proved Products List (APL) for U -Channel Posts. iii. Shall function with the stub support installed in a concrete foundation as shown on Standard Detail Sheet TE1 -7B. iv. Components shall be manufactured using aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, exterior grade epoxy coated steel, or similar material exhibiting weather resistance equal to or greater than those described.
v.Shall not require modification of the stub or upper support for installation. vi. Shall be acceptable for use with supports of the sizes tha t the device is approved for use with regardless of the number of supports. The manufacturer may limit the number of supports within a seven (7) foot width when the device is used. However, a minimum of two 4 -lb/ft or 6 -lb/ft back to back supports within a seven ( 7) foot width shall be permissible. vii. Allows the upper support to break away from the stub support when impacted from any angle. viii. Minimizes the risk to pedestrians during and after impacts by not incorporating components which become independent projectiles, or which become potentially hazardous shards projecting above grade. ix. Shall allow for installation after concrete is placed aro und the stub to grade.
x.No component not designed to breakaway or yield upon impact shall project more than four ( 4) inches above ground level, providing the projection of the stub support is in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. xi. May requ ire the replacement of a portion of, or up to all of the system components after impact; however, repair or replacement after impacts shall not be time consuming or labor 816 intensive. The required use of power equipment or expensive, highly specialized equip ment to remove damaged components and/or to complete repairs, including instances where the device has been impacted directly by a vehicle tire or undercarriage, shall be unacceptable. xii. Shall be “crashworthy” when utilized and installed in accordance with t he manufacturer’s recommendations such as brand supports, size supports, maximum number of supports within a seven ( 7) foot width, etc., and with traffic signs securely mounted to the supports in accordance with the mounting height guidelines provided on S heet TP3 -1A of the Standard Details. “Crashworthy”, as specified herein, shall be defined as compliance with the crash testing requirements of the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) at Test Levels I, II, and III. Mandatory guidelines a pplying to the device such as, but not limited to, the size supports it is permitted to be used with, brand supports it is permitted to be used with, and the maximum number of supports permitted within a seven ( 7) foot path shall be noted on the APL. The manufacturer shall supply installation instructions and all required components and hardware to the Contractor. The manufacturer shall make available device installation instructions for posting and dissemination by the Division to inspection and maintena nce personnel.
709.54.1 Product Submission and Approval: Back to Back U -Channel Breakaway
Devices to be considered for inclusion on the Division Roadside Sign Support Accessories APL shall be submitted to the Materials Division following the current p rocedures specified by the Division in MP 106.00.02. The manufacturer should include all relevant documentation and information, including but not limited to Product Data Sheets, Product Flyers, Manufacturer Product Specifications, Product Bulletins, Engin eering Drawings, and crash testing performance documentation. The crash testing performance documentation to be submitted shall be in accordance with official guidance issued by the WVDOH. In addition to the above, field evaluation installations shall b e required prior to approval. In order for the device to be approved, evaluation installations installed by or for the Division shall demonstrate levels of durability, reliability, performance, and ease of installation/repair determined to be acceptable to Division evaluation personnel. The duration of the field evaluations shall typically be a minimum of six months to one year. Specific details related to this testing, such as locations and quantities, shall be determined by the Division. Initial and typic al repair material costs associated with the device shall also be considered as part of the evaluation.
709.55 Type A and B Barrier Wall Sign Support Brackets :
Type A and B Barrier Wall Sign Support Brackets (Type A and B Brackets) shall be designed for use with 2” x 14 -gauge Square Tube Supports meeting the requirements of Section
709.55 The purpose of the device shall be for mounting specified sign assemblies on top of a
median barrier wall or parapet. The brackets shall be designed and tested to meet the following requirements:
i.Type A Brackets and anchoring shall withstand loading which meets or exceeds that which will be generated based on the Support Size Selection Chart on Sheet TE1 -7A for the 3 - lb/ft u -channel support size, as well as cyclical loading, without failure. The br acket shall meet this requirement with the bracket installed on a six ( 6) inch wide, non -tapered, unreinforced barrier manufactured with concrete meeting a design strength of 3,000 -PSI.
Source: West Virginia Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2023 Edition. Pages 837–838 of 1,006.