MASH 2016 (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware) is the current American crash-test standard for highway safety equipment, published by AASHTO in 2016 as the successor to NCHRP Report 350. It defines mandatory crash-test protocols, vehicle weights, and impact angles that Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) and similar safety devices must pass for US highway certification.
What does MASH stand for?
MASH is the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware, published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The 2016 edition is the current version and applies to all new roadside safety hardware deployed on US highways. It is the American equivalent of Europe's CEN/TS 16786 specification.
How is MASH 2016 different from NCHRP Report 350?
MASH 2016 replaced NCHRP Report 350 with stricter, more realistic requirements designed to reflect today's heavier vehicles and real-world crash scenarios. The three biggest changes are updated test vehicles, mandatory off-centre and angled impact tests, and tougher evaluation criteria.
What are the MASH 2016 test vehicles?
MASH 2016 increased the weight of both standard test vehicles to reflect the evolution of consumer vehicles:
- Small car (1100C) — 1,097.7 kg, up from the 820C (816.5 kg) used under NCHRP 350
- Pickup truck (2270P) — 2,268 kg, up from the 2000P (1,995.8 kg) used under NCHRP 350
The heavier vehicles mean MASH-certified equipment is tested against forces closer to those of modern road traffic.
What tests are mandatory under MASH 2016?
MASH 2016 converted two previously optional tests into mandatory requirements:
- Test 52 — Off-centre impact with a 2270P pickup truck
- Test 53 — 10-degree angled impact with a 2270P pickup truck
These cover the common real-world scenario where a driver attempts to swerve at the last moment, resulting in an off-centre or angled hit rather than a perfectly head-on collision.
What are the MASH 2016 test levels?
MASH 2016 retains the test-level system from NCHRP 350, with each level defined by impact speed:
- Test Level 2 (TL-2) — approximately 70 km/h (43.5 mph)
- Test Level 3 (TL-3) — approximately 100 km/h (62 mph)
TL-3 is the standard for highway and expressway deployment; TL-2 applies to lower-speed work zones.
How does a TMA pass MASH 2016?
To pass MASH 2016, a Truck Mounted Attenuator must meet four evaluation criteria during every required test:
- The TMA must safely redirect the impacting vehicle, control its penetration, or bring it to a controlled stop
- Debris and fragments from the TMA must not penetrate the occupant compartment or create hazards to nearby traffic, pedestrians, or work-zone personnel
- The impacting vehicle must remain upright during and after the collision — moderate roll, pitch, and yaw are acceptable
- Post-collision vehicle trajectory should ideally not intrude into adjacent traffic lanes
Why does MASH 2016 compliance matter?
For contractors, highway departments, and road authorities, MASH 2016 compliance is the proof point that a TMA or other roadside safety device has been crash-tested under realistic, modern conditions. By accounting for heavier vehicles and the off-centre and angled impacts that occur in real-world incidents, MASH-certified equipment provides documented protection for both motorists and work-zone crews.
For an overview of how MASH fits alongside European standards and Danish road-work requirements, see Safety Equipment for Road Work: CEN/TS 16786 and MASH 2016 Standards.
Where does NTS fit in?
NTS supplies truck-mounted attenuator systems and trailer-mounted attenuators for European road-work deployments, including the BLADE EU TMA certified to CEN/TS 16786 100K and the TTMA-200 trailer-mounted attenuator. Contact NTS to confirm certification status for specific configurations and target markets.
Frequently asked questions
What is MASH 2016?
MASH 2016 is the American crash-test standard for highway safety hardware, published by AASHTO. It defines mandatory test vehicles, impact speeds, angles, and evaluation criteria that Truck Mounted Attenuators and other roadside safety devices must pass to be certified for use on US highways.
When was MASH 2016 published?
The 2016 edition of the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware was released by AASHTO in spring 2016.
What standard did MASH 2016 replace?
MASH 2016 replaced NCHRP Report 350, the previous American crash-test standard. The main changes are heavier test vehicles, mandatory off-centre and angled impact tests, and tighter evaluation criteria.
Is MASH 2016 used outside the United States?
MASH 2016 is primarily the American standard. In Europe the equivalent specification is CEN/TS 16786, which uses a speed-class system (50, 80, 100 km/h) rather than MASH's test-level system. European road authorities including Denmark certify TMAs to CEN/TS 16786 rather than MASH.
Are NTS TMA systems MASH 2016 certified?
The BLADE EU TMA distributed by NTS is certified to the European CEN/TS 16786 100K specification. Contact NTS to confirm certification status for the latest MASH-compliant configurations.