ATSSA contacts AASHTO and DOTs regarding revised guardrail regulations

ATSSA contacts AASHTO and DOTs regarding revised guardrail regulations

Letter seeks solutions for implementing revised M180-23, raising five issues

 ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner reached out to the leaders of AASHTO (the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and state departments of transportation (DOT) today seeking assistance in implementing a revision to regulation M180-23.

The revised regulation “introduced many changes that impact the manufacture, installation and chemical/physical properties of most highway guardrail components,” Tetschner noted in his May 14 letter.

He highlighted five areas of concern:

1. Lack of a reasonable implementation schedule.
2. Consistency among states and industry.
3. Galvanizing requirement changes from ASTM A123 to AASHTO M111.
4. Addressing connection types.
5. Use within generic and proprietary systems.

The impact of and solution to each challenge will vary among different stakeholders but all need a “consistent and well-defined implementation plan,” Tetschner wrote before expressing support for the revisions.

“I also want to highlight the widespread industry (stakeholders) support for adopting these changes with the appropriate planning and organizing.”

He asked that prior to creation of an agreement regarding implementation, a Memorandum of Understanding be created between AASHTO and DOTs. He said that “would provide clarity and alignment in driving this project forward” and noted the “collaboration is crucial to streamline processes and ensure effective long-term implementation.”

Tetschner’s letter also included the name of nine ATSSA members and industry experts who helped draft the letter:

• Ryan Ames, Lovewell Fencing Inc.
• Richard Butler, Brifen USA Inc.
• Michael Coffman, L.S. Lee Inc.
• Jeff Grover, Gregory Industries
• Gregory Neece, Valtir LLC
• David Price, R.G. Steel Corp.
• Paul Radice, Highway Safety LLC
• Glenn Stewart, Frank Gurney Inc.
• David Takiguchi, GP Roadway Solutions