Safety Bollards for Contraflow Bicycle Lanes

Safety bollards have always been useful for marking bicycle lanes.  Now, with the popularity of contraflow bike lanes, using bollards is more important than ever to ensure the safety of both cyclists and motorists.

Contraflow Bike Lanes: a Growing Trend

Contraflow lanes allow bicycles to travel in the opposite direction of motorists.  In cities with substantial numbers of one-way streets, these lanes benefit cyclists in many ways, including the following. They:

•     Reduce motorist/cyclist conflicts
•     Allow cyclists to safely enter the flow of traffic at all points
•     Provide safe, easy access to popular destinations
•     Reduce the distance cyclists must travel on roads used by motorists
•     Offer cyclists safer, more pleasant routes of travel without interfering with motor vehicle traffic

To maximize the safety of everyone who uses public roads, contraflow bicycle lanes should only be placed on streets with the following characteristics:

•     Low volumes of vehicular traffic
•     Sufficient room to construct a contraflow lane to the left of motorists’ direction of travel
•     Substantial current use by cyclists
•     A minimum number of intersecting alleys, driveways, or streets
•     Enough room for signs advising motorists that a contraflow lane is present

Impact of Existing Contraflow Lanes in Major Urban Areas

Contraflow lanes have existed in cities like Cambridge, Massachusetts; Madison, Wisconsin; and Portland, Oregon, for well over a decade.  In each city, they have significantly improved traffic flow, reduced the number of bicycle/motor vehicle accidents, and enhanced the usability of public roadways for everyone.  They’re especially helpful around large colleges and universities where hundreds or even thousands of students commute to and from classes on bicycles.


The Role of Safety Bollards in Marking Contraflow Lanes

Safety bollards, with their high visibility and sturdy construction, are extremely useful on streets with contraflow bicycle lanes. They remind motorists to watch out for bike riders. They also remind cyclists to stay within the lane’s boundaries. Together, these two safety measures can help both motorists and bike riders stay safe on the nation’s roadways.

To learn more about varieties of safety bollards, call Impact Recovery Systems today at 1-800-736-5256.

Parking Lot Safety for Motorcycles

One of the most important yet most neglected skills motorcycle riders should learn is parking lot safety.  While few motorcyclists drive at blinding speeds in areas with parked vehicles, these places nonetheless present unique hazards when it comes to clearance, visibility, and road surfaces.

This article will outline the fundamental skills all bike riders should possess in order to navigate the average parking lot accident-free.  While it will certainly be of interest to motorcyclists, it will also prove useful to public safety officials and others concerned with promoting vehicular safety.

Equipment considerations

Proper equipment use is just as important while riding through parking lots as it is when going 65 MPH down a major highway.  In particular, riders should keep the following points in mind:

• Keep the helmet strap secured.
• Use suitable eye protection, whether this includes goggles, a face shield, or shatterproof glasses.
• Wear a jacket made of cowhide, corduroy, denim, nylon, or other durable material.
• Wear long pants, knee protection, and suitable foot protection.
• Use gloves at all times the bike is in motion.
• Wear high visibility gear.  This is especially important in parking lots, where motorists are usually less alert than when driving on public roads.  Many a biker has been side-swiped by an inattentive driver who pulled out of a spot without looking both ways first.
• Operating the bike’s controls
• Use hand or mechanical turn signals when in the parking lot.  This will further increase the biker’s visibility to auto drivers.
• Apply the front and rear brakes at the same time when parking, just as on the open road.  Remember that up to 70% of your bike’s stopping power depends on the front brake.
• Lean into turns in a parking lot, just as bikers do anywhere else.  It takes very little momentum to upset a modern bike, even at very low speeds.

Using the SEE system in parking lots

The SEE system is used by millions of motorcyclists to get them safely from Point A to Point B.  It can be broken down into the following steps:

1. Search for possible dangers.
2. Evaluate all potential hazards, including turning cars, loose or uneven road surfaces, rain or other precipitation, etc.
3. Execute the proper action to avoid the hazard.

For example, in parking lots, riders should be alert at all times for vehicles pulling out from spots.  Motorcycles are far less visible than the average car or truck, so cyclists should never assume that a motorist sees them.

Just as important as watching for vehicles pulling out of spots is being alert for those pulling into them.  Some drivers focus completely on getting the best spot available, as if it were a competition with others.  No motorcycle rider should ever get hurt because some inattentive person chooses to whip around her in order to park six feet closer to a building.

Perhaps the most dangerous part of a parking lot is at the ends where vehicles make turns to go down succeeding rows.  As riders approach these ends, they should look twice for cars coming from either direction.  Also, riders should signal their intention to turn well before doing so.  This could save their lives.
Special parking lot safety hazards to be on the alert for any of the following circumstances can make parking lots especially dangerous.  Bikers should be extra careful in case they spot any of them.

• Pot holes, loose road material such as gravel, or rises/bumps in the road.
• Slick spots caused by oil or other fluids.
• Dark conditions, including periods during or just prior to rainstorms.
• Hazard markers or other warning signs.

By following the above recommendations, motorcycle riders can safely share parking lots with other bikers as well as drivers of passenger vehicles.

Originally posted at www.impactrecovery.com

Traffic Safety Products that Help Ensure Cyclist Safety

Originally Posted at:  www.impactrecovery.com

Traffic safety products play an integral role in ensuring the safety of bicyclists in urban areas.  Their use is part of a specialized sub-discipline known as bicycle transportation engineering.  It seeks to create bike-friendly areas along and within existing roadways.  It also focuses on the layout and construction of dedicated paths for cyclists as well as pedestrians.

Some of the ways that transportation engineers have tried to make streets safer for cyclists include the following modifications:

• Shared use paths – These are bikeways that run parallel to conventional roadways, yet are physically divided from them by delineators or safety signs.
• Bicycle lanes – These are portions of roadways meant specifically for use by cyclists.  They’re normally marked by a solid white stripe on the pavement.  They’re much narrower than motor vehicle lanes and run alongside the edge of the road.
• Shoulders – These are traditionally used as a place for inoperable vehicles to pull over.  However, in many areas, they have been modified for use by cyclists and those on foot.
• Wide outside lanes – One of the chief complaints motorists have about sharing the road with cyclists is having to slow down to accommodate them.  Wide outside lanes are intended to eliminate this problem by giving vehicles more room to pass bicycles safely.  They are chiefly used in rural areas where shoulders are frequently underdeveloped and unsafe for bicycle traffic.
• Shared bus lanes – These are dedicated bus lanes that also permit cycle traffic, depending on the local public transport schedule.  These are especially popular in France and the UK.
• Shared space streets – These are simply public streets that give equal priority to all types of vehicles.  Motorists must accommodate the rate at which cyclists travel.  While widespread in parts of Europe, they have only recently been introduced to the United States.
• Bike paths – Often built on the sites of abandoned railroad tracks, these paths are completely independent of public roadways.  They’re normally shared by cyclists and pedestrians, as well as horses in some locations.  Bike paths are also popular features of greenways.

Other Bicycle Safety Measures
In addition to creating special routes for bicycles, transportation engineers are taking other measures and developing additional traffic safety products to ensure the safety of bike riders.  These include:

• Modified traffic lights that are able to detect the presence of cyclists, taking their presence into account when issuing signal changes.
• Modified road surfaces that move potholes, surface markings, storm drains, and other impediments to bikes away from their path of travel. 
• Bicycle parking lots that allow bike owners to secure their cycles to secure metal stands, discouraging theft.  Some of these parks have staff members on-site, while others are routinely patrolled by law enforcement.

Factors Involved in Creating Bicycle Safe Zones
Not all urban roadways can be converted to bike-friendly areas with the same degree of ease.  Planners normally give priority to those zones that can be transformed with minimal effort.  Some factors that guide the decision process include the following:

• The level to which motor vehicle traffic in the area can be reduced.
• The prospects for establishing traffic calming measures.
• The level to which danger zones for cyclists, such as junctions and crossways, can be monitored and improved.
• The prospects for establishing reasonably secure bicycle parking facilities in the area.

The Role of Traffic Safety Products in Ensuring Cyclist Safety
Infrastructure features that promote bicycle safety fall into two categories:

1. Signage that alerts motorists to the presence of cycles.  These often feature messages like “share the road” along with a graphic showing a bicycle. 
2. Elements like raised curbs, walls, fencing, and bollards, which create physical barriers between motorists and cycles.

The trend towards greater cycle use is part of a new emphasis on physical fitness and a greener environment.  As such, it has the potential to do great good and should be encouraged as much as possible.  Modest infrastructure modifications and new traffic safety systems are small prices to pay in exchange for creating a healthier, more active populace, which is what cycling is all about.

Pedestrians Crossing Signs at Roundabouts: Ensuring the Safety of Foot Traffic

Roundabouts have helped promote traffic safety since they were first used over a century ago.  While they have reduced the frequency and severity of vehicle crashes, they have been less successful at safeguarding people on foot.  To meet this challenge, safety officials are using pedestrian crossing signs to direct walkers away from the circular portions of roundabouts, where they are at greatest risk of being struck by automobiles.

This article will provide a brief review of roundabout history, the primary benefits of roundabouts for motorists, and, lastly, examine ways to extend their safety-enhancing effects to pedestrians.  As persons on foot make up an increasingly large percentage of the traffic in most urban areas, the time to take their needs into consideration when designing roads is now.  Creating safer conditions for those who choose to walk rather than drive will reduce pollution and promote public health, two goals that are well worth pursuing.

The History of Roundabouts

The use of circular junctions to direct traffic began with the construction of the Columbus Circle in New York City in 1904.  The British followed suit by building similar junctions in Letchworth Garden City in 1909.  Originally intended as safe havens for pedestrians, their traffic calming functions soon became apparent, and their use began to multiply.

The roundabout as it is known today first emerged in the 1960s, when the rule that vehicles must yield to oncoming cars was adopted internationally.  Traffic engineers and safety officials noticed how effective the intersections were at reducing vehicular crashes, particularly the so-called “T-bone” and perpendicular wrecks that are the most dangerous types in terms of injuries and death.

Ironically, the country that first adopted roundabouts, the U.S., was the most resistant to their widespread use.  Nonetheless, during the 1990s, the junctions became common sights in most municipalities.  As of 2011, there were some 3,000 roundabouts in the States.  In contrast, France had more then 30,000, despite being much smaller.

Benefits of Roundabouts

As mentioned before, roundabouts are effective traffic calmers.  They also have other desirable features, such as the following:

• They’re far safer than conventional, signal-controlled junctions.  Crashes are far less likely at roundabouts, but, when they do happen, they occur at lower speeds and at slighter angles.  This greatly reduces the resulting property damage, injury, and loss of life from wrecks
• Roundabouts reduce delays and congestion, since vehicles do not have to come to a full stop before proceeding (except in cases where they must yield).
• Traffic flows more naturally at roundabouts than at signal-controlled junctions.  Drivers are not controlled by an artificial traffic signal.
• The circle of land within a roundabout makes an ideal spot for a monument or other public decoration (though the choice of what types of decorations to use should be guided by concerns for public safety, as will be discussed momentarily).

Issues with Pedestrian Use of Roundabouts

One of the key limitations of roundabouts is that they have insufficient safeguards and/ or pedestrian crossing signs to protect local foot traffic.  This is due to the vehicle-centric approach that spurred their invention.  This issue is normally dealt with in two ways:

1. By not placing benches, fountains, or similar items in the centers of roundabouts.  While attractive, such decorations would induce pedestrians to visit them.  The central portion of the junction is not a park, and it should never be made to resemble one.  Statues, works of art, and ornamental trees are fine for use in these areas, but should be surrounded by fencing or other impediments to curious pedestrians.
2. By routing foot and bicycle traffic away from the roundabout with crosswalks marked by traffic safety systems, such as signage and caution lights.  These measures prevent foot traffic from crossing at unauthorized locations, while also making drivers more alert to the presence of walkers.

Installing marked crosswalks at roundabouts is imperative to the safety of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.  With due caution and planning, all citizens can use public routes safely.

Originally posted at www.impactrecovery.com

Railroad Crossing Safety for Commercial Vehicles

Originally posted at www.impactrecovery.com

Railroad crossing safety takes on special importance where commercial vehicles are concerned.  When a train collides with a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the total amount of damage done is far greater than with a passenger car.  This is because commercial vehicles are significantly larger and weigh much more.  For example, consider a semi pulling a trailer being struck by a train that stretches more than a mile in length.  The sheer mass of the objects involved in the wreck makes the results for more catastrophic.

Additionally, commercial vehicles like school buses usually carry large numbers of people.  If a bus stalls on a crossing grade, then the results can be devastating for many, many people.  One of the worst accidents in transportation history occurred on October 25, 1995, when a school bus carrying high school students in Fox River Grove, Illinois was struck by an oncoming freight train.  Seven students died and 21 more were injured, some critically.

Studies show that many commercial drivers are under-trained when it comes to knowing how to cross rail grades safely.  Unless and until this situation changes, the specter of more deaths from train-CMV collisions will continue to plague communities across the United States.

It’s important to note that railway crossing rules for commercial vehicles differ in many important ways from those for passenger cars and trucks.  This article will look at safety procedures for both professional truckers and bus drivers.

CMV Procedures for Crossing Railroad Tracks

The first step in rail crossing safety begins with route planning.  Commercial drivers should avoid railroad crossings whenever possible.  Officials who manage school or commercial busses should do the same when mapping out routes for such vehicles.

In the event a rail crossing is unavoidable, drivers should use the following procedures:

1. Keep an eye out for warning signs that railroad tracks are near.  The classic X-shaped round sign is the best indicator.  Also look for tracks paralleling the road and listen for the sound of a train whistle nearby.
2. When approaching a crossing, begin slowing the vehicle well ahead of time. 
3. Come to a stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks.  Use a pull-out lane if available.
4. Turn off the vehicle radio, fan or other climate control devices, roll down the driver’s window, and listen for a train.  School bus drivers should open the folding door and make sure the students are quiet during this time.
5. Look both ways for a train.  Then look again.  This is known as “doing a double take.”  If trees, posts, buildings, or other objects block a clear view, then rock back and forth if necessary to see around them.
6. Look for a stop sign or traffic light on the other side of the crossing.  If there is one, then judge whether the vehicle’s length will fit in between the sign or signal and the tracks (remember that trains extend past the track’s width as much as three feet on each side).  If there’s any doubt that the vehicle will fit within the available space, then don’t attempt to cross at that point.  Remember that both busses and trucks overhang their rear wheels by several feet.  Many times, an accident has occurred because the driver forgot this crucial fact.
7. Be especially alert to railroad crossing safety when the crossing encompasses multiple sets of tracks.  This is common near large urban areas.  Be certain to look both ways for each set, using the double-take method mentioned earlier.  For example, if the grade has three sets of tracks, look both ways a total of six times.  Make sure all the sets are clear before proceeding forward.  Also, keep an eye out while crossing the grade, just in case a train does appear.
8. If there is no sign of an approaching train, and if there is sufficient room beyond the tracks for the vehicle to fit, then proceed carefully over the crossing.  Do so in the lowest possible gear.  Under no circumstances should gear shifting occur at a railway grade.  This can cause the engine to stall at the worst possible moment.
9. After making the decision to pull forward, don’t stop.  Occasionally, a crossing gate on the far side of the grade may start to close after a vehicle has started to cross.  If this happens, then keep going.  Break through the gate if necessary, but under no circumstances stop the vehicle while crossing the tracks.
10. There’s a popular myth that says trains only run at certain times of the day.  Don’t believe it.  Train schedules can be highly irregular, depending on delivery schedules and other factors.  So, if you see tracks, always assume a train might be just down the tracks.

What to Do if the Vehicle Stalls on the Tracks

1. GET OUT.  Don’t stop to retrieve belongings.  Just exit the vehicle immediately.  Bus drivers should direct their passengers to leave in an orderly fashion.  If there is an emergency door at the rear of the bus, then this is the time to use it.  Evacuating the vehicle as quickly as possible is the highest priority when a stall occurs.
2. Someone near the crossing is an emergency phone number for the railroad.  Find the number and call it as soon as possible, so that any approaching trains can be warned ahead of time.  Remember that trains require a mile or more (the length of 18 football fields) to come to a complete stop, so giving the engineer as much advance notice as possible is crucial.
3. Call local law enforcement to advise them of the incident.  Commercial and school bus drivers should contact their superiors as well, to apprise them of the situation.  Under no circumstances should bus passengers be allowed to return to the vehicle for any reason.  Keep everyone calm until help arrives.
4. If a train is in sight, then immediately start running TOWARDS it, not away.  At the same time, stay as far from the tracks as possible.  This will minimize the risk of being struck by debris when the crash occurs, and it WILL occur if the train can be seen or heard.

Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals

1. The crossbuck sign consist of two white boards intersecting each other in an “x” shape.  It, along with the round crossing sign, is a sure signs that tracks are close by.
2. Sometimes the crossbuck sign is combined with a smaller one underneath that says how many sets of tracks lie ahead.  For example, a site with three sets will have the crossbuck sign and the message “three tracks” below.
3. The high center/high profile sign alerts drivers that the crossing isn't safe for low-clearance vehicles to use. 
4. Quiet zone signs usually say “no train horn.”  They indicate that the surrounding community has met the requirements to ban train whistles from being sounded within its limits.  In place of the whistle are enhanced crossing notices, including audible alerts that can only be heard from a short distance away.

Conclusion


Being a commercial driver entails demonstrating the highest levels of professionalism and devotion to safety at all times.  At no other time is this more important than when crossing railroad tracks.  Following the procedures outlined in this article will help to ensure greater safety for both motorists and the public in general.  

A Look at the Basics of Railroad Crossing Safety

While highway safety systems get a great deal of publicity, railroad crossing safety is a vital yet often overlooked part of accident prevention.  The lack of attention paid to the issue is tragic, as statistics reveal these sobering facts:

• Each year, over 2,000 collisions occur between motor vehicles and trains in the US.
• Those accidents are the cause of more than 200 deaths and 400 injuries each year.
• According to a study by the DOT, 94% of those incidents were caused by driver inattentiveness or disregard for safety.
• Almost 50% of vehicle-train collisions occur at crossings where warning devices such as lights and/or warning gates are in place.
• A train-related wreck is 20 times more likely to result in death than a collision with another motor vehicle.

The reasons why train wrecks so often lead to death come down to physics.  Simply put, the larger and heavier a moving object is, the more damage it will inflict on whatever it hits.  The typical train weighs in excess of 3,000 tons and can be more than a mile in length.  Stopping such a massive vehicle requires a length longer than 18 football fields lined up one after the other.  Even if the engineer sees someone on the tracks ahead, he or she won’t have time to stop before striking the person.  

Facts like these become more real to the average person when the national media reports on a tragic wreck.  One such incident occurred on November 16, 2012, when four persons were killed and 17 others injured in a collision that involved a parade float and a train in Midland, Texas.  The truck pulling the float was unable to pull forward due to vehicles in front of it, trapping it directly on the crossing.  The float was intended to honor military veterans, and in fact, several ex-servicemen and women were among those killed or seriously hurt.

Given the lethal potential of train collisions and the high number of incidents that occur each year, what can be done to safeguard the public?  Installing impassible barriers at crossing sites is simply not practical.  More than 200,000 miles of railroad tracks crisscross the United States, and the rails intersect with public roads at tens of thousands of locations.  If officials are to prevent these accidents, then the key to achieving this goal is public education.

The following is a list of safety fundamentals that should be rigorously taught to drivers.

• First, understand the message that railroad crossing safety signs are meant to convey.  They’re not intended to simply say “stop” or “slow down before you cross.”  Rather, they’re telling drivers to perform three specific actions:

1. Stop completely, and do so at least 15 feet away from the tracks.
2. Look in both directions.
3. Listen for a train.  If you need to, then roll down the windows, turn off the vehicle’s radio and climate control, and stop talking on the cell phone, but be sure that there’s no sound of a whistle or of an approaching locomotive.

• Only after fully completing the above three steps should motorists proceed over the tracks.
• Before starting to drive over the tracks, make sure there’s enough room to cross them completely.  In the Texas incident discussed above, a vehicle ahead of the parade float prevented the driver from moving forward, leading to the tragic outcome.  Don’t get stuck behind vehicles that are on the other side of the crossing.
• Be especially cautious when faced with double tracks.  Many people only pay attention to the first set, starting over the grade when it’s clear.  All too often, they fail to notice the train coming right at them on the second set of rails.  So exercise a higher degree of awareness when facing a dual-track crossing.
• Don’t pass other vehicles when approaching a crossing.  The car or truck in front may be blocking a clear view of an approaching train.  Also, the speed used in passing may prevent the driver from stopping before reaching the tracks.
• To ensure rail transit pedestrian safety, never walk on or near railroad tracks.  Some people think that railway corridors are public property, and use them as their own private hiking trail.  Others walk their dogs or jog alongside the tracks.  This is especially dangerous because such activities distract people from what’s going on around them.  These persons also tend to forget that trains are three feet wider on each side than the tracks they’re on.  Remember that these routes are owned by private companies, and respect them accordingly.
• Never, ever try to “beat” a train.  Approaching locomotives create an illusion that fools drivers into thinking that the engine is further away than it actually is.  Foolishly trying to outrun a 3,000-ton vehicle is simply that – foolish.
• Don’t fall for the misconception that trains always run at scheduled times.  Some people think it’s safe to cross the local grade because “trains never come by at this time of day anyway.”  In reality, railway companies frequently get behind their schedule or run ahead of it in order to complete deliveries in less time.  The lesson for motorists is to always assume a train is coming.
• If a crossing gate in front of your vehicle lowers while you’re crossing the tracks, then drive straight through it.  Don’t hesitate.  Doing so could cost you your life, if indeed a train is approaching.
• Never drive around lowered gates when approaching a crossing.  If the gate appears to be malfunctioning, and if there’s no sign of an approaching train, then look for a number posted at or near the crossing.  This is an emergency line for the freight company.  Call them at the earliest possible moment to alert them to the problem.

Despite the best of railroad crossing safety, sometimes train wrecks occur anyway.  This is often due to the vehicle breaking down while crossing the grade.  This happens more often than most people think.  Driving over tracks can cause tires to stick, scrape the bottom of the powertrain, or cause other damage that disables a car or truck.  When this occurs, those in the vehicle should do the following:

1. Get out of the car or truck immediately.  Don’t try to grab things from the trunk, rooftop, or back seat.  Get at least 50 feet from the tracks.
2.  Look and listen carefully for signs of an approaching train.  If there’s no sign of one, then look for the freight company’s emergency number at or near the crossing.  Call them as soon as possible to alert them to the stalled vehicle.  DO NOT go back to the car or truck, either to retrieve items or to attempt to fix the problem.  In the moments you’re doing so, a train could show up.
3. If a train is approaching when the vehicle stalls, then everyone must exit it immediately.  The driver and passengers should then run TOWARDS, not away from, the train, taking care to stay as far away from the tracks as possible while doing so.  Many people mistakenly believe that running from the train is the best course of action, but in reality this will expose them to debris flying off the tracks after the collision occurs.

As mentioned earlier, public education is the key to preventing train-related accidents.  Officials should strongly emphasize railroad crossing safety, both for new drivers seeking their licenses as well for as seasoned motorists.  As with so many things in life, knowledge makes all the difference when being around trains.


Reposted from www.impactrecovery.com

2009 MUTCD Regulations for Private Parking Lot Safety

Originally posted here.

 The federal government has a compelling interest in keeping all drivers safe.  These interests are outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  The 2009 MUTCD outlines standards for devices like signs, flexible delineators, markings and other traffic elements.  These standards apply to many areas of both public and private roadways; however, there are some gray areas where language in the manual is not so clear.

Does the 2009 MUTCD Apply to Private Parking Lots?

Private lots are often used for public purposes.  A business may be privately owned and be erected on private property, making parking amenities also privately owned.  Places such as malls, shopping centers, movie theaters, and similar establishments all have private parking lots.  These entities have the right to determine who can be in their lot and who cannot.  Some of these lots are vast and even connect public roadways.  Drivers may even feel that they are still on a publicly-maintained roadway because of the uniform application of signage and street markings.

While all of this might lead you to believe the MUTCD should govern these areas, in order to enhance parking lot safety, the language is not so clear.  The 2009 MUTCD as interpreted by the Federal Highway Administration states that private lots are not subject to standards outlined in the manual.  This means that signage, markings, delineators, and other traffic control devices do not have to legally conform to 2009 MUTCD standards.  These changes were adopted in December of 2009 and they also apply to public parking lots and structures. However, Intro P3 C of the MUTCD states, “Parking areas, including the driving aisles within those parking areas, that are either publicly or privately owned shall not be considered to be ‘open to public travel’ for purposes of MUTCD applicability.”

If the 2009 MUTCD requirements did apply to private parking lots and structures, certain regulations would have to be followed.  For example, delineators are commonly used as guidance devices more than as warning devices.  Any time there is a change in horizontal alignment on a roadway, a delineator must be used.  This would apply to private parking lots and garages as well if the 2009 manual so warranted.  Dimensions and application of retroreflective elements on delineators would also apply.  

The extensive standards for traffic control devices in regards to parking lot safety do not currently apply to privately owned and operated parking areas according to the 2009 MUTCD.  However, in the future, feasible standards may be developed that allow for consistent regulation of private parking lots.

When to Use Tubular Markers

Tubular markers are similar to hazard marker signs in that they are meant to mark off a specific area.  These road safety devices warn motorists of conditions created by work activities, to guide road users, or to warn of some other road obstruction.  Markers and delineators should be used in conjunction with safety signs so that motorists know just what to expect ahead.

Tubular markers are different from hazard markers in that they are narrow and can fit on a street or highway space that does not have enough room for a large sign.  Tubular markers are commonly used to divide opposing lanes of traffic, channel traffic in the right direction, mark the edge of the road in case of a drop-off, and to mark urban turn restrictions.

Tubular markers can also be used in a parking lot, together with parking lot safety signs.  Safety signs such as handicapped parking space signs, stop signs and pedestrian crossing signs are important and useful.  Markers help to make a parking lot safe by indicating where a median is, or some other area that cars cannot drive through.  As markers are made using bright colors with retro-reflective material, they are clearly visible in the evening and at night.

Impact Recovery Systems carries a wide range of tubular markers that can be used for many purposes.  There are a number of base options to choose from.  The first is a permanent base, which would serve well on highways or in parking lots. Impact Recovery also offers the convenience of quick release bases, which offer the ability to switch out signs quickly without the need for extra tools.  In-ground and snow-plowable bases are also available.   The road type and height of the marker will determine which type of base is the most appropriate.  The markers themselves come in seven different color options, with five different reflector/sheeting options.  The markers are also made in various heights and can be custom-made if desired.

Road markers are important, as they help to direct traffic and divert it from danger.  These markers should be well made, using high quality materials that will stand the test of time.  They can be used to divide traffic, divert it, or mark off an area that vehicles should not drive through.  Tubular markers, available in various sizes, color, and heights, are sure to provide the protection needed so that motorists can drive through an area without incident.

The History of Highway Safety Equipment

Roads have been providing humans with access to far off locations for thousands of years.  Highway safety equipment, however, has only come into widespread use within the last century, as motor vehicles became the primary means of transport.

Signage is the primary equipment that transportation officials use to enhance road safety.  In the first years of the 20th century, signs varied widely in size, shape, and construction.  Often, they were maintained by separate public or private entities, which could not agree with each other on a common pattern for roadside notices.  The first real steps towards standardization began in the United States in the early 1920's, when federal authorities published the first consistent guidelines for highways signage.  Among other things, they established the familiar shapes we see today, such as round markers as railroad crossings and square ones for hazardous condition notices.


In 1935, the first edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) was published.  It set nationwide standards for all types of highway markers.  It has been updated many times since, with the most recent revision being released in 2009.

Not just the shape, but also the makeup of road signs and highway safety equipment, has evolved over time.  Since the end of World War II, signs made of aluminum and marked with retro-reflective materials have become the norm.  As the nation entered the 1970's, electronic road signs became common.  Today, they’re used to alert drivers to special conditions such as construction sites, congested areas, and scenes of accidents or deteriorated road conditions.  For example, in mountainous areas, they warn approaching vehicles of rock slides.

State-by-state highway safety initiatives have been in use since 1966, when Congress required their existence as a condition for receiving federal highway funding.  In the 21st century, traffic planners continue to look for ways to make road travel safer for all.

Parking Lot Pedestrian Safety during Large Events

Parking lot pedestrian safety is always a priority for traffic workers, but it takes on a special urgency during major events.  During such times, the likelihood of accidents is greatly enhanced due to crowded conditions, larger numbers of motorized vehicles, and (in some cases) the heightened presence of alcohol and even illicit drugs.

Adding to the risks inherent in any large gathering is the fact that many law enforcement agencies are relatively inexperienced when it comes to crowd control.  This is especially true in rural areas, where low population densities are the norm except for a few days or weeks out of the year.  For example, a farming community in the American heartland may get by just fine most of the time with a police force consisting of five or six officers.  During the annual 4th of July fireworks display or county fair, however, these resources can be severely taxed, forcing local officials to rely on volunteers with limited training and narrow skill sets.

Another complicating factor is the fact that, during major events, crowd sizes may force locals to use areas for parking that were never intended for that purpose, such as open, grassy areas or even the yards of private homes.  Confusion over who has authority in such situations can lead to confrontations between officials and irate citizens and other potentially dangerous situations.

Solutions to Parking Lot Safety Issues

The key to avoiding these kinds of problems is foresight.  Almost all major events are known about well beforehand, giving officials ample time to prepare for them.  Such preparation should always include the following steps:

1. Determining approximate crowd sizes.  This can be based on a variety of metrics, such as population density, the number of attendees at past events, or even such data as ticket sales or public surveys.  Of course, a safety margin must be built into these estimates.  A good rule of thumb is to allow for a 20% margin of error.  For example, if a concert is expected to draw 10,000 people, preparations should be made to handle a crowd of 12,000.
    
2. Officials should confer with property owners to ensure that they are aware of how many vehicles can be parked in an area of a given size.  Supervisors of these areas should receive basic instruction in fire safety, crowd control, and how to respond to angry or irate persons.  They should also know how and when to contact emergency responders.
    
3. Points of entry for vehicles as well as pedestrian crossing zones should be amply and conspicuously marked, using parking lot signage, access barriers, and other crowd control devices that comply with MUTCD regulations.  If a community doesn’t possess such resources, then appeals should be made to neighboring towns and cities, or to state of federal agencies, to borrow them until the event is over.
    
4. Law enforcement officers and other official personnel should be highly visible, both in parking lots as well as established zones throughout the event.  If budgetary restraints limit the number of trained emergency responders available, then volunteers may be used, but only after appropriate screening and training measures.
    
5. Alcohol is almost always a key factor in public altercations.  However, its sale and/or possession may be necessary for the commercial success of the event.  At the very least, its consumption should be limited to clearly marked areas, and never be permitted in parking lots.
    
6. One way to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the event is to print up flyers advising attendees of where law enforcement officers, medical workers, and other emergency personnel stations are set up.  These pamphlets may also include some basic safety tips, such as being on the lookout for pickpockets and not displaying valuables or large amounts of cash.  They can be given to pedestrians as they exit the parking areas on their way to the event.
    
7. Some large events are likely to inflame passions and draw protests.  Examples include political gatherings and performances by controversial artists or musicians.  During such times, law enforcement officers, private security guards, and on-hand volunteers must be alert for signs of trouble and able to summon reinforcements on a moment’s notice.

Parking lot pedestrian safety is an important part of ensuring public welfare during large events.  With foresight and adherence to best practices, most accidents and other negative events can be prevented, enhancing everyone’s enjoyment of the proceedings.

Traffic Separator Curbing is Tricky but Manageable

Traffic separator curbing is used to channelize travel lanes.  Normally constructed of tubular markers and high-density plastic curbs, it’s often used in temporary locations such as around construction sites.  As it must withstand the rigors of use around congested areas, it should meet the following criteria:

1. It should be able to absorb impacts from vehicles undamaged.  It should stay in its base even if struck multiple times.  It should also be unaffected by wide temperature ranges.
2. It should be continuous and bolted tightly to the underlying pavement.  Tubes must be bolted or pinned to the curb.  Curbing must be able to stay upright throughout the day and be unaffected by high winds and other weather phenomena.
3. Posts should be of standardized heights for the sake of both visibility and uniformity.  Commonly accepted heights are 36”, 42”, and 48”.
4. Delineator posts should be a minimum of three inches in diameter where it faces approaching traffic and at least two inches in diameters in all other directions.
5. Posts should have at least two reflective bands 3” wide or wider.  The higher band should be within two inches of the top of the structure.

The manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) lists seven principles for the use of all temporary traffic control (TTC) measures, including separator curbing:

1. The same principles that govern the creation of permanent road markers should be employed in designing TTCs.
2. TTCs should interfere with road worker’s movement as little as possible.
3. TTCs should give approaching motorist, bicyclists, and foot traffic adequate advance warning of changing traffic conditions.
4. TTC components should be regularly inspected during both day and night.
5. TTC placement should allow for vehicles to pull off the road surface in cases of accidents and/or mechanical trouble.
6. Those who work around TTC structures should be trained in their use.
7. The needs of motorists, nearby property owners, emergency responders, and the community at large should be addressed when planning the use of TTCs.

By following these guidelines, traffic separator curbing and other TTC measures can be an enhancement to public safety, not a hindrance.

Railroad Crossing Safety: Whistle Bans

Any doubt that train whistles enhance railroad crossing safety was removed in the early 1990s, when the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) issued an emergency ruling that trains passing through Florida must blow their whistles when nearing public crossings.  Known as Emergency Order 15, it overrode laws then in existence in seven counties and 12 cities in the Sunshine State, which prohibited train whistles after dark.  After it was implemented, the nighttime accident rate was reduced by 68%, in line with what it had been prior to the implementation of the bans.

Despite this fact, Emergency Order 15 wasn’t without its critics, such as groups that seek to reduce noise pollution.  In response to the controversy, the FRA conducted a nationwide study to gauge the role that whistles play in accident prevention.  The results showed that the signals lower railroad crossing accidents by 84% nationwide.  It was clear that train whistles play a vital role in enhancing railroad crossing safety.

To resolve the dispute, the FRA currently mandates the use of train whistles 24 hours a day at public crossing spots.  However, the ruling also allows communities to ban the use of the whistles, provided that certain supplementary safety measures (SSMs) are put in place.

Getting approval for these bans involves a long and complex procedure. The steps to achieving it include:

1. Identifying the specific areas that are to be designated as whistle-free.
2. Determining whether any of those areas can be automatically granted approval, under grandfathering provisions established by the FRA.
3. Ensuring that each public crossing in the area includes the SSMs required by the FRA.
4. Establishing that the SSMs in place sufficiently compensate for the loss of safety incurred by banning train whistles.
5. If any private roads cross the railroad corridors, additional studies must be conducted.  If the team that performs the study recommends SSMs at the crossings, then those must be put in place before the application for a local train whistle ban can proceed to the next step.

Full information on Emergency Order 15 and the actions that followed can be found online here.

Increasing Visibility of Pedestrian Signs

Pedestrian signs play an invaluable role in enhancing public safety.  However, in these days of urban congestion and distracted driving, Motorists sometimes fail to notice them until it’s too late.  To enhance their prominence, there are a number of ways to improve pedestrian sign visibility.  These include:

1. Overhead signs.  These are especially helpful in areas where there are visual obstacles such as trees, on-street parking, hills, or other obstructions.  The 2009 MUTCD added an option for city planners to use the schoolchildren logo instead of the standard pedestrian symbol.
2. In-Street Pedestrian Signs.  These signs, used at un-signalized crosswalks, raise driver awareness of pedestrian crossings.   In-Street pedestrian signs have been shown to increase the incidence of yielding by as much at 46%, as well as significantly increase stopping distance from the crosswalk.
3. Flashing beacons.  These are especially helpful in raising driver awareness in rural areas, though they seem to have limited effectiveness in urban locales.  In some places, the beacons are tied into a timing mechanism which activates them at certain points during the day.  In others, they’re activated by push-button devices or by detectors that sense when a pedestrian starts to cross the street.
4. Rectangular red flashing beacons (RRFBs).  These are especially helpful at uncontrolled crossings.  As a vehicle approaches, they begin to flash a warning light, advising drivers that they are nearing a crosswalk.  Studies indicate that RRFBs increase the rate at which motorists yield by more than 400% in some locations.  They can be installed on both the left and right sides of a crossing area, or, if possible, in the median itself.  Installing them requires permission from the FHWA.
5. In-pavement flashers.  These are flashing lights embedded directly into the crosswalk.  They’re activated either by a push-button or by motion sensors.  The 2009 MUTCD permits them at uncontrolled crossings.  However, they’re not currently allowed at spots already controlled by traffic signals or by YIELD or STOP signs.  In-pavement flashers are cost-prohibitive for many local governments to install, and should only be used if less costly measures are likely to be ineffective.

However it’s done, improving the visibility of pedestrian signs is essential to ensuring the safety of the public, both pedestrians and motorists alike.

Imperative Components of Highway Safety Systems

Modern controlled-access roadways, generally known as “interstates” in the US, facilitate the rapid movement of vehicular traffic across great spaces.  They play vital roles both in promoting commerce and increasing mobility for the general public.  Their specialized nature, however, requires that they employ particular highway safety systems to prevent accidents and promote the smooth transit of cars and trucks.  Some of the crucial components of highways are divided lanes, grade separators, and impact barriers.

Divided Lanes

Known as “dual carriageways” in the UK and as “divided highways” in the US, these roads have parallel lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions.  They have a small strip of land in between, known in the United States as a “median.”  They permit drivers to operate their vehicles at higher speeds than would otherwise be safe, by eliminating the need to be aware of traffic coming from the opposing direction.

The number of lanes on each side of the median is determined by density of travel.  In the United States, the minimum number is two on each side, though this increases to three or even more around large urban areas.  Crossing over the median to change directions is normally prohibited.  Drivers rely on exit and entrance ramps instead.

Increases in the number of cross-median accidents in the past several years has led to efforts to supplement medians with crossing obstacles, including median barriers, guard rails, raised earthworks, and trees or large shrubs.  Efforts to beautify medians are common as well.  In the warm months, wildflowers and blooming shrubs make the divider more visually appealing to travelers.

Grade Separators   

A perennial problem in highway construction is that of traffic flowing in opposing directions.  This is especially common around large population centers, where large numbers of vehicles may need to enter or exit the highway throughout the day.  Grade separators solve this problem with the use of bridges, underpasses, and interchanges.  Multiple roadways are divided from each other vertically, with vehicles moving above and beneath each other.  This allows high speed limits to stay in place even in congested areas.

However, grade separators have been criticized for being costly, complex, and dangerously compact.  These highway safety systems are disliked by nearby property owners, who see them as noisy eyesores and blights on their community.

Traffic Barriers

Known as “guard rails” or “crash barriers,” these structures are intended to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway and colliding with elements such as trees, buildings, walls, or storm drains.  They also keep motorists from drifting off the paved surface and into adjoining fields, bodies of water, vertical drops, and construction sites.  To ensure they can do their job, prototypes are extensively tested in real-world crash simulations.

Traffic barriers fall into four general classes:

1. Roadside barriers are used as a buffer between straying vehicles and hazards such as those mentioned above.  They’re commonly installed along curves, beside cliff faces, and along railroad tracks.
2. Median barriers reinforce medians by preventing vehicles from crossing over into opposing traffic lanes.
3. Bridge barriers prevent vehicles from leaving bridges and crashing into whatever is beneath them, such as rivers, other roads, railway lines, etc.  They’re usually made from tubular steel and are built higher than roadside barriers.
4. Work zone barriers direct traffic away from highway work crews and equipment.  They’re normally light, portable, and highly visible structures, intended more to inform drivers than to create physical barriers.

Additional Components of Highway Safety Systems

The following structures and devices are used periodically to promote highway safety:

• Traffic calming measures
• Raised curbs
• Warning lights
• Hazard markers
• Local radio broadcasts that warn motorists of nearby safety threats and/or adverse weather conditions.

As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, highway safety systems will play an ever more important role in safeguarding motorists.  Their proper design and construction are high priorities for infrastructure planners and public officials in all developed nations.

Tips For Rail Crossing Safety

Trains strike a person or vehicle in the United States every two hours on the average, and death or severe injury is almost always the result.  Almost all of these incidents could be prevented by obeying basic rules of rail crossing safety, which include the following:

1. Never assume that trains pass by a crossing only at certain times of day.  Rail freight often ships on irregular schedules, making any time of day “train time.”
2. Slow down when nearing a crossing and look both ways.  Then do so again.
3. Never, ever try to “beat the train” to the crossing spot.  An oncoming train often causes an optical illusion, which makes it appear to be slower and further away than it actually is.
4. Do not cross channelizing devices intended to prevent motorists from crossing lanes and going around gate arms.
5. Never pass another vehicle when your car or truck is within 100 feet of a crossing.
6. Some vehicles must always stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses or trucks loaded with hazardous materials.  Be on the alert for them and be prepared to stop if one is ahead of you.
7. Noise in your vehicle can mask the sound of a train whistle.  Because of this, you should always turn off your radio and climate control when at a crossing.  Also, cell phones should never be used near such spots to ensure rail crossing safety.
8. Flashing lights, cross-bucks  stop signs, closing gates, and train whistles should always be obeyed.  If you see or hear any of these warning signs, stop at the crossing and don’t proceed until the train has passed.
9. Don’t shift gears while driving over railroad tracks.  Downshifting before reaching the crossing is highly recommended.
10. If you do stop for an approaching train, make sure you maintain at least a 15-foot distance from the tracks.  Remember that trains overhang tracks, sometimes by several feet.
11. Avoid using the crossing at all if you think that your vehicle may not have sufficient clearance to clear the tracks without problems.  This is especially important for people crossing tracks while using motorized wheelchairs.
12. Only cross tracks at a designated crossing spot.
13. Never use tracks as a walking path or shortcut.  Children should be taught to never play on or near the tracks.  Fishing from railroad trestles is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted.
14. If a crossing gate closes in front of you as you’re crossing the tracks, then go around it if you can.  If you can’t, then drive forward fast enough to break it.  The important thing is to get off the tracks immediately, whether or not you think a train is approaching. 
15. A gate closing in front of a vehicle is most likely a sign of a malfunction.  Get to a phone and call local emergency responders right away, so that repairs can be made as soon as possible. 

What to Do if Your Vehicle Stalls on the Tracks

GET OUT.  Exit the vehicle immediately and move as far from the tracks as you can.  If a train isn’t approaching, then call local emergency responders as soon as possible.  Be prepared to tell them exactly where your vehicle is located.

 If a train is in sight, then move TOWARDS it, away from its direction of travel.  This will minimize your risk of injury, in the event of a derailment or debris being scattered by the impact.

Gambling with rail crossing safety is never a good bet.  It’s better to be a few minutes late to your destination than to never get there at all.  Practicing train safety will protect you as well as other motorists, and help to ensure that everyone gets where they’re going alive and well.

The Purpose of the In-Street Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign

In-Street Pedestrian Sign

Highway engineers and city planners are facing increasing challenges as America’s urban areas increase in population and overall size.  When combined with problems such as distracted drivers and congested roadways, it’s little surprise that annual pedestrian fatalities are on the rise.  To combat this trend, the 2009 MUTCD authorized the use of several high-visibility traffic control measures.  One of these is the in-street pedestrian crosswalk sign.

These markers are used at pedestrian crossings that do not currently have signalized devices.  They should be located either in the street itself or on a median.  They fall into two major groupings:

1. Permanent in-street pedestrian crosswalk signs are installed in the roadway using concrete foundations and are never intended to be moved.  They’re appropriate where pedestrian traffic is likely during both daytime and evening hours.
2. Portable in-street pedestrian crosswalk signs are used in locations where foot traffic is highest at particular times of the day.  These signs are most commonly used at school crossing locations, along with the presence of a school official or police crossing guard.  They may also be used outside of large office complexes or industrial facilities.

In-street signs are used as both traffic calming and visibility-enhancing measures.  When their primary intent is to slow vehicles, they function as YIELD signs.  On the other hand, in areas where pedestrian traffic is heavier, they play the role of a STOP sign.  However, these signs have limited benefits when used in multi-lane or high-speed environments.  They are easily damaged by vehicles driven by impaired or careless motorists.  Also, they must be carefully placed so as not to interfere with the pedestrian’s path of travel.

However, their limitations are more than overcome by the contribution they make to accident prevention.  Studies show that they are particularly effective on low-speed, two-lane streets, such as those typically found in residential areas.  Additionally, in-street pedestrians signs have been show to both increase the incidence of yielding as well as increase the stopping distance from the crosswalk.  Used in appropriate locations, an in-street pedestrian crosswalk sign plays a vital role in promoting public safety.

The Risks of Not Using an In-Street Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign

There’s a popular saying among those concerned with promoting public safety: “speed kills.”  It refers to the fact that the injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents are directly related to the speed of the vehicles involved.  However, not all accidents occur on multi-lane highways or in high-speed areas.  Each year, hundreds of pedestrians are hurt or killed on low-speed, two-lane roads.  It’s in such areas that an in-street pedestrian crosswalk sign can be particularly helpful.

Distracted Driving is on the Rise

Studies show that 3331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted river in 2011 alone.  Another 387,000 were injured in such wrecks.  Also, while the term “distracted driving” is usually associated with cell phone use, it actually refers to a number of activities drivers perform while behind the wheel.  These include, but are not limited to:

• Eating or drinking
• Talking to others in the vehicle
• Grooming themselves
• Reading
• Looking at maps
• Using a navigational device such as a GPS system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio or climate control lever or knob

Many of the accidents that involve distracted drivers occur in places normally considered safe for pedestrians, such as areas with low speed limits and two-lane roads.  Part of the reason for this is that both motorists and pedestrians are often less aware of their surroundings in such places, as they are not generally associated with hazardous driving conditions.

The Solution: an In-Street Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign

Studies show that an in-street pedestrian crosswalk sign is especially effective in these areas.  It can greatly enhance the visibility of pedestrian crosswalks, while having a calming influence on local traffic patterns.  Because of this, they play a vital supplementary role to other, more well-known safety measures, such as overhead signs, flashing beacons, and median strips.  Their use should be encouraged as part of any well-thought out plan to enhancing public safety.

Platform Safety: It’s Not Just for Them

A common denominator across virtually every large urban area on the globe is the use of mass transit trains.  This form of transportation has brought unparalleled levels of mobility and opportunity to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.  However, it has also brought the challenge of ensuring platform safety to the forefront of public discussion in many areas.

As with most public protection issues, the discussion tends to center around costs vs. expected benefits.  For example, in New York City, there’s currently an ongoing debate over whether the Metro Transit Authority (MTA) should erect platform safety devices (PSDs) in its subways.

On one side are those concerned around the city’s budget, which has been stretched almost to the breaking point due to the economic crisis of the past few years.  On the other are public safety advocates, who point out the following grim statistics:

• Each year since 2001, over 100 persons have been struck by NYC trains.
• A significant percentage of those accidents resulted in fatalities.  For example, in 2012, 55 people died when they were hit by city trains.  In 2011, 47 died, and in 2010, 51 died.
• Measures such as erecting PSDs are proven to reduce platform accidents in every city in which they’re tried.

The Larger Issues

While the numbers of subway accidents are few when compared to, say, traffic wrecks, platform safety is nonetheless an issue that requires attention in every city with a mass transit system.  While opinions vary, there are steps that can be taken immediately to enhance public safety on train and subway platforms.  These include:

• Increased visibility of safety signage.
• Public awareness campaigns, involving coordinated efforts among both public agencies and private groups.
• High-level discussions of the issues surrounding platform safety, including strategies for mitigating the costs involved in erecting PSDs and similar measures.

As with any positive societal change, the movement towards enhancing platform safety begins with raising public awareness.  Only after that can constructive steps be taken.

How Flexible Delineators Cut Costs

Delineators play a major role in ensuring traffic safety, by alerting motorists to changing road conditions and enhancing visibility at night.  However, one of their key limitations has been their limited visibility, due to the placement within the road surface itself.  Flexible delineators solve this problem by rising vertically from the streets, gaining the attention of drivers who might otherwise never see them.  At the same time, their flexible construction avoids the sort of problems traditionally seen with rigid structures such as permanent bollards.

Delineators: Their Design and Purpose
The goal of delineators is summed up in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) thus:

Delineators are particularly beneficial at locations where the alignment might be confusing or unexpected, such as at lane reduction transitions and curves. Delineators are effective guidance devices at night and during adverse weather. An important advantage of delineators in certain locations is that they remain visible when the roadway is wet or snow covered.  Delineators are considered guidance devices rather than warning devices.

Delineators, then, serve the same purpose as lighthouses along the shore once did.  They warn those in the immediate area about potential hazards.  Because of this, they must be as visible as it is reasonably possible to make them, without posing a collision hazard to passing vehicles.  Flexible delineators fulfill both these requirements, and benefit municipalities and traffic safety departments in the following ways:

• By withstanding impacts from vehicles without damage, due to their flexible construction.
• By not causing damage to cars or trucks that strike them, saving on the costs associated with automotive accidents by preventing their occurrence in the first place.
• By their enhanced visibility as opposed to traditional channelizers.  This makes them more effective at their central purpose, which is to help motorists avoid hazardous situations.

 

As vehicular traffic becomes more congested worldwide, flexible delineators will play an ever-increasing role in preventing accidents and enhancing public safety.

Determining Where Hazard Markers are Needed

Hazard markers play a vital role in safeguarding motorists by deterring them from dangerous sections of public roads.  Knowing where they should be placed is crucial for their proper use.  This article will provide a summary view of the topic for introductory purposes.

T-Intersection Sight Boards

These are used to notify motorists that the road they’re on will abruptly terminate at an intersection with another road, which runs at a 90 degree angle to the one currently occupied.  Sight boards are used to supplement standard measures such as stop signs and lights, so that drivers don’t overshoot the intersection.  See illust
ration below.

Bi-directional Hazard Markers

These are used to alert motorists to upcoming road obstructions and to advise them to drive around them.  Arrows pointing both to the left and right indicate drivers can go in either direction to avoid the hazard.

For example, say that an island is placed so that it divides the road ahead.  A bi-directional marker would advise motorists of this and direct them to drive to the left or right to avoid it.

Unidirectional Hazard Marker

These hazard markers serve the same purpose as bi-directional markers, except that motorists are advised to go in only one direction to avoid the upcoming hazard.  They’re used when the road ahead narrows or is partially obstructed.

Obstruction Markers

These are used to notify drivers that an object or hazard, which requires them to stop traveling in their current direction, is ahead.  Such objects or hazards might take the form of construction, flooded streets, degraded road conditions, or physical objects.


Situations that Require the Use of Hazard Markers

The overall purpose of hazard markers is to notify drivers of potential dangers ahead of them, so that they will not be caught unawares.  The term “potential dangers” encompasses a broad array of possible impediments to travel.  Here are some specific situations in which hazard markers might be used.

• In cases where the road ahead is flooded or covered with ice.
• In cases where the road surface ahead has deteriorated to a dangerous point, either due to normal wear or tear or to damage caused by a natural or human-caused event.
• In cases where road construction or maintenance is being performed up ahead.
• In cases where a bridge ahead has collapsed or is unsafe to use.
• In cases where permanent structural elements require an extra degree of vigilance on the part so motorists.  Examples include islands, one-lane bridges, bridge piers, manhole covers, raised or lowered road surface, recent changes to the shape or contour of the road, and spots where the road narrows.
• In cases where sharp curves are coming up, and/or the road shoulder narrows or disappears. 

The exact forms hazard markers take vary depending on the locality where they are being used.  For example, in the United States, markers often differ significantly in appearance from those used in European nations.  Whatever their form, it is essential to be aware of and abide by all hazard markers, as they could prevent an accident or serious injury.  Additionally, the use hazard markers by safety officials is a must once a hazard or construction zone has been established.

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