Highways are dangerous because of the speed at which vehicles travel. In the 1930s and 1940s, people would have head-on crashes, so Departments of Transportation used wooden barriers between the lanes. These did little to protect drivers from major crashes, though they did help with minor crashes. As vehicles evolved and became faster, the crashes…
As urbanization intensifies and cities continue to expand, the need to construct new roads or widen existing ones becomes paramount. This construction often results in the creation of work zones, which potentially pose areas of concern in terms of safety. It is here that traffic control devices come into play. Positioned strategically both before and…
A traffic management plan, also known as a TMP, is essentially a blueprint composed of many documents that describe each measure that needs to be taken to ensure the safety of drivers and workers in a construction zone. A TMP must be created by a certified and experienced Traffic Management Designer who understands the current…
A traffic control device is any piece of equipment that informs, guides, or directs motorists and pedestrians for safety near roadways. These devices can use symbols, colors, and phrases to communicate hazards, limits, or other actions people should take to stay safe while traveling. Other forms of traffic control can be barriers, road markings, and…
Purpose of Traffic Calming Traffic calming is the altering of physical features of a roadway to reduce reckless driving behavior and to increase the safety of pedestrians and non-motorists in the area. The measures that are taken to calm traffic all have something in common: to restrict the movement of a vehicle in at…
Known for its seaside resorts and diners, an often overlooked but vital traffic device also hails from the state of New Jersey— the jersey barrier. The term jersey barrier refers primarily to concrete barriers, and sometimes secondarily to plastic barricades, used along the center and sides of highways, construction sites, parking lots, and any other…
Barrier blocks, also known as “traffic barriers” or “roadside barriers,” are designed to protect vehicles from roadside obstacles and hazards, including steep slopes, bodies of water, and fixed objects like piers. Barrier blocks can also be used with medians to prevent errant vehicles from colliding with hazards within the median. When placed in an adjacent…
Selecting the right traffic barrier is a matter of public safety, so it is important to take many things into consideration before making your decision. Barriers solve a lot of problems, reduce risks in the roadway, and save a lot of lives. One type of barrier is concrete or “Jersey” barrier. This type of barrier…