Introduction
Pelco Products is excited to announce that our TB2N1 has earned official approval from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The product is now listed on the FDOT Approved Products List (APL), a significant milestone that validates our commitment to quality, safety, and compliance with federal standards. For Florida municipalities, traffic engineers, and transportation departments, this approval opens new opportunities for procurement and project specification.
Understanding FDOT Approval: What's Required
The path to FDOT approval is rigorous and comprehensive. Florida Statute 316.0745 mandates that all traffic control signals and devices used throughout the state must be certified and listed on the FDOT APL before installation. This requirement has been in place since the early 1970s as a testament to Florida's forward-thinking approach to traffic safety standardization.
The approval process is designed to ensure that every product meets strict requirements:
- Quality System Evaluation: Before a product can even be tested, manufacturers must demonstrate they maintain quality management systems based on ISO 9001 standards. This step alone weeds out manufacturers without proper operational controls.
- APL Certification: Products that successfully pass stringent evaluation are added to the Approved Products List, which currently contains thousands of approved traffic control signals, devices and hardware from manufacturers. This list is continuously updated and serves as the definitive resource for transportation professionals throughout Florida.
Why FDOT Approval Matters
For Municipalities
Municipalities using products from the FDOT APL gain significant confidence that selected equipment has been tested and will perform properly. Smaller agencies, in particular, benefit from this centralized testing approach by avoiding the need to conduct their own product evaluations or hire specialized staff to assess compliance.
When the TB2N1 is specified in a project, municipalities can move forward without the additional review and approval delays that non-listed products require. This streamlines procurement, reduces project timelines, and simplifies budget planning.
For Traffic Engineers
Traffic engineers can specify the TB2N1 knowing it has been independently validated. The product is eligible for procurement through FDOT's statewide term contracts, providing access to competitively vetted pricing and reliable supply chains.
For Pelco Products
This approval represents recognition of our commitment to manufacturing excellence. It opens the door for Pelco Products to serve Florida's diverse transportation market from major metropolitan areas to smaller municipalities managing traffic safety on limited budgets.
The TB2N1
The TB2N1 is a transformer base that elevates how a base responds to impact with its innovative frangible engineering. Our patented Frangible-Force™ engineering sets the TB2N1 apart with an innovative cast-in frangible line that provides a safer and predictable base fracture during impact events. Key features include:
- 1 piece cast aluminum
- Fits TB1-17 and TB2-17 style base mounting patterns
- Door is made from aluminum, plastic, and copper safe (with hinged door option)
- ½" tapped hole for grounding lug
- ½" thick washers included (8)
This product addresses the specific needs of Florida's transportation infrastructure, which operates in a challenging environment characterized by intense sun, salt-air corrosion, humidity, and frequent severe weather events. Additionally, the TB2N1 meets current BABA requirements and supports MASH testing by providing a reliable fracture location.
The FDOT APL in Context
Florida's approach to traffic device standardization is a best practice that many states strive towards. By maintaining a centralized testing facility and Approved Products List, Florida achieves several important outcomes:
- Standardization: Equipment compatibility and consistency across all state and local roads
- Safety: Products are proven safe through independent, unbiased testing
- Cost Efficiency: Competitive procurement through statewide contracts reduces costs for all agencies
- Equity: Smaller agencies with limited budgets benefit from the same rigorous evaluation that larger departments conduct
The FDOT APL process ensures an equal competitive environment where all manufacturers must meet the same requirements before their products can be listed, creating a level playing field based on performance rather than marketing spend.
What's Next for Pelco Products in Florida
With TB2N1 approval now in place, we're ready to support Florida's transportation community. We understand the specific challenges that traffic engineers and municipal planners face:
- Aging infrastructure that needs upgrading
- Limited budgets for capital improvements
- Need for equipment that can withstand Florida's unique climate
- Increasing focus on pedestrian safety and accessibility
The TB2N1's approval by FDOT positions it as a trusted solution for these challenges. Municipalities can confidently specify it knowing it has passed independent validation.
Getting Started with TB2N1
If you're a traffic engineer or municipal planner in Florida considering the TB2N1 for your project, here's what you need to know:
- It's FDOT Approved: The TB2N1 is listed on the FDOT APL and requires no additional project-specific approval or testing
- BABA Compliant: The manufactured product and construction materials are produced in the United States
- Competitive Pricing: You can access the product through FDOT's statewide term contracts
- Support: Pelco Products stands behind its products with technical support and warranty coverage
- Specifications: Full product specifications and installation guidelines are available through our technical team
Conclusion
This FDOT approval is just the beginning. At Pelco Products, we're committed to continuing to develop traffic safety solutions that meet the highest standards. We're dedicated to supporting Florida's transportation community with products that are safe, reliable, and compliant.Whether you're managing traffic flow in a busy urban corridor or improving pedestrian safety at a rural intersection, the TB2N1 is engineered to perform. And now, with FDOT approval, it's a trusted choice for municipalities across Florida.