Traffic control equipment is vital to the safety of workers and the general public. Having the suitable devices on hand helps ensure a seamless work zone and keeps the site running in compliance with local inspections.
Rental providers know what devices are accepted on state and city roads. They also have a good feel for how local inspectors prefer seeing the equipment on the road.
Cones
Cones are three-dimensional geometric shapes that narrow smoothly from a flat base to a point (which forms an axis with the center of the base) called the apex or vertex. They have measured values for radius and height, and there are formulas for surface area and volume.
Our eyes contain cones sensitive to different light frequencies, allowing us to perceive colors and send signals to the brain. The cones are most active in bright sunshine and can detect a range of wavelengths.
Some people have impaired cone function and cannot perceive specific frequencies of light that others can – this is known as color blindness. However, this does not mean the person cannot see anything, just that specific colors don’t register properly.
Signage
When working on roads, you need the proper signage and safety equipment to keep your job site and those around you safe. Traffic control rental companies can provide the necessary tools for a seamless work experience.
It pays to work with a provider that understands your local norms regarding traffic control devices. You should also be able to trust the company’s equipment to perform as expected. That includes ensuring that the reflective sheeting is bright, the signs are legible, and all devices meet crashworthiness standards set by NHCRP 350. The rental company should also offer other traffic control rentals to simplify the transition process.
Barricades
Whether deployed to warn drivers of an approaching hazard or to keep people away from road construction, barriers play a vital role in traffic management. Known for their strength and high visibility, these protective devices often come in colors like orange to maximize their impact on vehicles. A popular option is the jersey barrier, which has a patented detent system that holds it vertically until impact, when it releases and locks flat to minimize vehicle damage.
Choosing the suitable barricades and any other devices you rent can help you comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Your rental provider should tell you which devices are accepted by inspectors in your area. They should offer various products, including trailer-mounted message signs, speed trailers, and flagging equipment such as stop/slow paddles.
Message Signs
Message signs are a highly versatile form of roadway signage that can be used for various purposes. Our message signs can be radar-equipped to serve as “SLOW DOWN”/”YOUR SPEED” signs, and they can also be equipped with strobes in a wide range of colors to attract even more attention.
Known by the more technical name of dynamic message signs (DMS), they convey a wide variety of important information to motorists, including real-time traffic alerts, work zone warning messages, travel times, and alternative route information. In the case of a road accident, they can help to guide drivers to detour routes that avoid the incident site.
VMSs can be either permanently installed or portable devices and can be operated remotely, making them ideal for temporary conditions such as construction or a special event. They must comply with NEMA TS 4-2016, which defines the logical interface between the sign and the central system that controls it.
Signals
Signals are a crucial part of the traffic control system and must be synchronized with each other to serve the travel demand. A signal is represented as a function x(t) with t as its independent variable, typically representing time. Examples of signals include time-varying electric currents and electromagnetic waves, which carry information such as music waveforms or variations in atmospheric temperature.
A traffic signal consists of phasing individual phases for each intersection’s left turn, right turn, and pedestrian movements. The phasing is based on the prevailing approach speed, daily volume variation, and other factors such as intersection geometry, adjacent traffic generators, and crash history.
During field data collection, it is often found that existing traffic signal operations are acceptable, and the review should focus on other areas needing attention. It can reduce the project scope and help the agency manage its limited funding for transportation improvements.
