Scorpion II TMA: What TL-3 Gets You

The Scorpion II is a TL-3 attenuator, which means it is cleared for the fastest closures. Here is what the rating means in practice and where the unit fits in a fleet.

The Scorpion II from TrafFix Devices carries a TL-3 rating, the level required for work zones posted at 50 mph and above. The original Scorpion is a non-blade design, and the Scorpion II builds on that platform to meet the higher test level. For freeway crews, that rating is the difference between a compliant setup and one that is not.

What TL-3 means on the road

• Cleared for postings of 50 mph and above, with the crash test run near 62 mph
• Meets MASH 2016, the standard that replaced NCHRP 350
• Backed by an FHWA eligibility letter for the tested configuration
• Paired with a host truck of about 26,000 lb GVWR or more to resist underride

Where it belongs

A TL-3 unit is the right call for interstate and expressway work where traffic stays fast. On slower closures, a TL-2 unit posted at 45 mph and below does the job for less. The point is to match the attenuator to the road, not to over- or under-spec it.