Performance Evaluation of Valmont Dampers for Traffic Signal and Sign Structures

Problem Statement and Research Objectives: The pending updates to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Design (AASHTO LRFD) SLTS (Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals) Specifications allow for the quantification of effective vibration mitigation devices to provide fatigue protection for sign and traffic signal structures. Applying the AASHTO fatigue loading criteria to traffic signal and sign support structures in conjunction with an effective mitigation device, will result in a more efficient design that reduces the cost of new structures, improve safety to the traveling public, extend the life of new and existing structures, and lower maintenance, inspection and repair cost. Valmont Industries has vibration mitigation devices available for these types of structures. While Valmont vibration mitigation devices have been successfully deployed in many states throughout the country, there is little/no validated performance in Massachusetts. For the State of Massachusetts to fully adopt these vibration mitigation devices, there needs to be validation on the common types of traffic signal and sign structures deployed by Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). This project will validate the performance of the Valmont vibration mitigation devices over the range of traffic signals and sign structures in Massachusetts. Successful completion of this project will provide definitive guidance on the specific sign and traffic signal structures on which to deploy vibration mitigation devices. Anticipated Products: The deliverables will be documented field test performance of Valmont dampers on four (4) cantilever sign structures, including two (2) monotubes and two (2) dual tube (F-style) and two (2) traffic signal structures; validation of the Valmont models to predict performance on these six (6) structures; and predicted performance, using the validated numerical models, of the Valmont dampers on six (6) additional sign and six (6) additional traffic signal support structures. Documentation material will be generated as needed to satisfy the code for use of the Valmont vibration mitigation devices.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $49,446.00
• Contract Numbers:

  132888

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Massachusetts Department of Transportation

  10 Park Plaza
  Boston, MA  United States  02116
• Project Managers:

  Sanders, Austin

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Connecticut, Storrs

  Connecticut Transportation Institute
  270 Middle Turnpike, Unit 5202
  Storrs, CT  United States  06269-5202
• Start Date: 20260801
• Expected Completion Date: 20261021
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Damping (Physics); Design; Traffic signals; Traffic signs; Validation; Vibration control
• Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02001702
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Massachusetts Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 132888
• Files: RIP, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 2 2026 1:31PM