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…
Ensuring that your construction site or work zone can meet the requirements set by OSHA is an essential part of running a successful project. OSHA has many requirements for work zones, including barricades. Knowing the rules about barricades helps you maintain your compliance with OSHA standards and allows you to purchase or rent the right…
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…
Road barriers, which come in many different forms, protect drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists from potential dangers, including other drivers. The barriers can also help with traffic and crowd control. Road barriers could protect road construction workers, direct people in a parking area, and more. Let us tell you about the different types of road barriers.…
In 2020, 102,000 crashes in work zones contributed to an estimated 31,000 injuries. Additionally, that same year, 117 highway construction workers died while at work, representing 2.5% of all workplace fatalities for the year. No one should go to work wondering if they will come home again. Taking measures to improve worker safety on highway construction…
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…
Traffic safety is nothing to take lightly, especially on high-speed roadways. Thanks to MASH, all roadside equipment and barriers are crash tested for the optimal safety of all drivers. Here you will learn more about MASH compliant. What is MASH Compliant? The Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) is a national set of…
When it comes to work zone safety, it’s important to make sure that motorists have real-time access to relevant traffic information. Drivers need to know ahead of time whether there’s a merge coming up or stopped traffic ahead. One of the best ways to communicate this potentially life-saving information is with a message board, also…
What Is a Zipper Merge? A zipper merge, also known as a late merge, occurs when there is a lane closure within a construction zone. During a zipper merge, vehicles travel down two lanes until they reach the merge point. Then, just like a zipper, vehicles alternate, merging into one lane. Dynamic Zipper…
Rear-end collisions are the leading type of work zone accident, often caused by drivers not noticing slowed or stopped traffic in time. To improve safety for motorists and work crews, many Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and road construction companies now rely on end-of-queue warning systems. These systems alert drivers about slowed or stopped traffic ahead,…
At Carolina Traffic Devices, protecting roadside work crews and motorists is our top priority. The tragic reality is that 773 people on average die each year in work zone crashes. That’s why we recognize the importance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which takes place between April 26 and 30. National Work Zone Awareness Week…
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…
Road construction teams utilize many types of traffic devices to make our commutes safer. Whether it is preventing high-speed accidents that are too often fatal or simply keeping cars and trucks moving safety through rerouted traffic for a large event – safety is always the top priority. One of the more popular traffic safety solutions…