Mash16 Standard Overview
The Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH16) standard includes crash testing guidelines for various types of highway safety equipment, such as barriers, end terminals, sign supports and traffic control devices. These regulations encompass crash-testing standards for both permanent and temporary highway safety features. The guidelines also recommend evaluation criteria for test results for all types of devices covered by the standard.
Significant Changes between NCHRP350 and MASH16
| Description | NCHRP350 | MASH16 |
| Small Car Test Vehicle | 820C vehicle (1,800lbs) | 1100C vehicle (2,420lbs) |
| Small Car Impact Angle | 20o | 25o |
| Light Truck Test Vehicle | 2000P vehicle (4,400lbs) | 2270P vehicle (5,000lbs) |
| Cable Barriers | No difference | Specific Install Length, and Slope Testing requirements |
The purpose of the MASH16 standard is to provide uniform guidelines for conducting crash testing on both permanent and temporary highway safety features. The standard offers evaluation criteria to assess the results of these tests, as well as recommendations for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of highway safety features. By updating and replacing the NCHRP Report 350, this manual is intended for use by highway design engineers, bridge engineers, safety engineers, researchers, hardware developers, crash test laboratories, and others involved in the implementation and improvement of safety features within the highway environment.
For More Information on policy implementation:
FHWA Roadside Hardware Policy Memoranda and Guidance
Safe Barriers is committed to designing, testing and manufacturing Products that meet the MASH16 standards.
Safe Barriers MASH Tested and Eligible Products
Defender 100LDS/100HC Anchored Temporary Steel Barrier
Safe Barriers MASH Tested Products
