High-speed road work zones (55 mph and above) remain one of the most dangerous environments in construction — rear-end impacts into shadow vehicles or workers are still the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries in California work zones (Caltrans District Safety Reports 2023–2025). (Verdegro Crash TMA Truck) The only equipment proven to consistently protect both the traveling public and your crew in these conditions is a properly specified, MASH TL-3 certified Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) on a heavy-duty host truck.
Western Highways Traffic Safety is the authorized California dealer and full-service upfitter for Verdegro crash attenuators — widely regarded as one of the most reliable and fastest-deploying TL-3 TMA systems available today. We have built, delivered and maintained more than 180 Verdegro-equipped trucks in California since 2018.
This guide explains exactly why Verdegro TMA trucks are the professional standard for high-risk road work zones and how we configure them to meet — and exceed — California’s demanding requirements.
Why Verdegro TMA Trucks Are Built for California High-Risk Zones
| Feature | Verdegro Heavy-Duty / VPS-350 Specification | Direct Benefit in California Work Zones |
|---|---|---|
| MASH Test Level | TL-3 (70 mph small car & 5,000 lb pickup truck tests) | Mandatory for all Caltrans & local-agency projects ≥55 mph |
| Minimum Host GVWR | 26,000 lbs (recommended 28,000–33,000 lbs for margin) | Prevents underride & vaulting during high-speed impacts |
| Energy Absorption | Aluminum honeycomb cartridge – 450+ kJ | Controlled deformation — stops vehicle in 18–22 ft |
| Cartridge Replacement | Bolt-on, 30–60 minute field swap | Minimal downtime after low-energy contact |
| Stow Options | 90° vertical, fixed 60° tilt, scissor-lift | Fits under 10-ft overpasses (vertical) or fast setup (scissor) |
| Arrow Board | 60×30 inch full-matrix Type C (Wanco / SolarTech) | Meets Caltrans sequential chevron + auto-dimming rules |
| Lighting | 4-corner strobes + 360° LED work lights + take-downs | 10 fc work-area illumination + fog/rain visibility |
| Wind Rating | 80–100 mph (AASHTO LTS-6) | Survives Santa Ana winds & coastal gusts |
Verdegro Models We Most Often Recommend in California
| Model / Series | Best Application | Typical Host Truck | Stowed Height | Typical Build Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdegro VPS-100 | City streets, arterials ≤50 mph | 14,000–19,500 lb (Class 4–5) | 13–14 ft | 4–6 weeks |
| Verdegro VPS-225 Vertical | High-speed arterials & freeways, low-clearance routes | 26,000–30,000 lb (Class 6–7) | 8–9 ft | 6–9 weeks |
| Verdegro VPS-350 Heavy | 65–75 mph freeways, long-duration closures | 30,000–40,000 lb (Class 7–8) | 9–10 ft | 8–12 weeks |
| Verdegro Scissor-Lift 225/350 | Frequent daily moves, mobile operations | 26,000–35,000 lb | 13–15 ft | 7–11 weeks |
All Verdegro units we supply come with current FHWA MASH 16 acceptance letters — the most recent crash-test standard. (Verdegro Crash TMA Truck)
Critical California-Specific Customizations We Perform
- Caltrans-Compliant Lighting & Controls
- Sequential chevron arrow board with auto-dimming
- 4-corner amber strobes + rear-facing work lights
- Take-down lights for traffic direction
- Full truck-signal sync (brake, turn, hazard)
- Low-Clearance & Bridge-Friendly Stow 90° vertical stow option keeps overall height under 9 ft — essential for I-5, I-15, I-805, SR-52 and many urban corridors with low overpasses.
- High-Wind & Coastal Corrosion Protection
- Hot-dip galvanized after fabrication (all steel components)
- Aluminum cartridge & mounting hardware
- Marine-grade wiring harness with sealed connectors
- Integrated Impact Camera & Telematics Many prime contractors and public agencies now require:
- Crash-activated dash cam (proof TMA was deployed)
- GPS telematics for location & impact logging
We pre-install both on request.
Typical Verdegro TMA Truck Projects We’ve Completed (2023–2025)
| Project Type | Location | Host Truck GVWR | TMA Model | Key Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-5 concrete rehab (night work) | Oceanside | 33,000 lbs | VPS-350 Vertical | 90° stow + radar speed trigger |
| SR-99 widening (long-term) | Madera | 38,000 lbs | VPS-350 Heavy | Extra work lights + telematics |
| City of Fresno arterial overlay | Fresno | 26,500 lbs | VPS-225 Scissor | Bilingual PCMS messages |
| Coastal bridge joint repair | San Diego (District 11) | 29,000 lbs | VPS-225 Vertical | Marine-grade corrosion package |
All units passed Caltrans safety meetings and field inspections without comment.
Why Professional Contractors Choose Western Highways for Verdegro TMA Trucks
- Authorized Verdegro dealer — factory-direct pricing & support
- In-house upfit & electrical shop — no third-party delays
- Complete certification package — FHWA letter, weight ticket, wiring diagram, operator checklist
- Same-day parts stock — cartridges, arrow boards, strobes, hydraulics
- Rental fleet available — test a Verdegro before committing to purchase
- Financing & lease options — preserve working capital
See current Verdegro builds and crash-test footage on Instagram and YouTube Shorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GVWR is really required for TL-3 in California? Minimum 26,000 lbs actual scale weight (Caltrans enforces this strictly).
Can I put a Verdegro on my existing truck? Yes — we do complete retrofits with new wiring, lighting and certification.
How long does a Verdegro cartridge last? 12–15 years normal use; replace after any impact (even low-speed).
Do you service units outside California? Yes — nationwide shipping & installation available.
How do I get pricing or see a demo? Call (559) 785-1400 or email info@westernhighwaystrafficsafety.com.
Don’t Risk Lives or Your Contract on the Wrong TMA
In high-speed work zones, the TMA is the last line of defense between your crew and a 70 mph impact. Verdegro + Western Highways custom builds give you the safest, most compliant, fastest-deploying solution available in California.
Call (559) 785-1400 or email info@westernhighwaystrafficsafety.com for current inventory, pricing and a free consultation.
Visit Western Highways Traffic Safety or follow on Facebook and Medium.
The right TMA isn’t the cheapest one — it’s the one that works when it matters most.
