EASY LICENSING FOR LOW-PROFILE BARRIERS

Developed by Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers and patented by TTI to address both cross-traffic visibility problems and worker safety, low-profile portable concrete barriers (PCBs) have been available in Texas since 1991. Also available have been the TTI-designed sloped end treatments meant to protect motorists in head-on collisions with the barriers. Until recently, however, jurisdictions and contractors outside the state have not taken advantage of these new designs. Use of the low-profile PCBs requires a license because the technology is patented. To increase public awareness, the Technology Licensing Office put together more than 50 marketing packages to inform agencies in every state about low-profile PCBs. A simple mechanism for obtaining a license has also been put in place. An interested party enters into an agreement with the Texas A&M University System, releasing it from all liability related to the use or manufacture of the PCBs. They party also pays a $1,000 license fee and a product fee of $2 per linear foot ($6.56 per linear meter) of barrier. The product fee counts against the original license fee. Once the agreement is signed and the fees paid, the licensees take on the responsibility for manufacturing the barriers according to patent specifications and then using or selling them as they see fit.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1587330
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011
• Authors:
  • Young, T
  • Wootan, C
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 11
• Serial:
  • Texas Transportation Researcher
  • Volume: 35
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Texas Transportation Institute
  • ISSN: 0040-4748

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Concrete; Highway safety; Licensing; Median barriers; Patents; Portable equipment; States; Technology transfer; Traffic safety; Visibility
• Identifier Terms: Texas A&M University; Texas Transportation Institute
• Uncontrolled Terms: Intellectual property
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Education and Training; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00792383
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 20 2000 12:00AM