ODOT pulls ET-Plus from its qualified products list, Oct. 28

As of Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, ODOT has removed the ET-Plus guardrail end terminal from its Qualified Products List and is directing its contractors on current contracts and ODOT maintenance crews from installing “ET-Plus” energy-absorbing guardrail end terminals. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) effective Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, required Trinity Industries, Inc. to provide new test data on the ET-Plus to show it meets safety approval criteria. The action followed a jury verdict earlier this week that found the manufacturer made a false or misleading claim to the FHWA in 2005. “We support the Federal Highway Administration’s call for Trinity Industries to verify through crash-testing that its ET-Plus guardrail end terminals meet expected safety requirements,” said Bob Pappe, ODOT State Traffic Engineer. “ODOT is reviewing crash data to determine if these end terminals have been involved in any crashes on state highways in Oregon and if they performed safely. ODOT is awaiting further instruction from the FHWA and information from DOTs around the nation before making a decision if the agency should remove currently installed ET-Plus terminals. ODOT added ET-Plus to its qualified products list after the FHWA approved its use in 2005. Trinity’s ET-2000 end terminals were already on the list, along with other brands. The numbers: • 22,539 The number of guardrail end-terminals installed on Oregon highways; • 909 The number of installed ET Brand guardrail end-terminals made by Trinity, including older ET styles and newer ET-Plus; • 4% Percentage of Trinity-manufactured ET Brand guardrail end terminals installed on Oregon highways, including older ET styles and newer ET-Plus. ODOT continues to seek improvements to highway safety by using the latest proven methods that have contributed to the lowest number of traffic fatalities in Oregon since 1943.