The COVID pandemic is winding down, and people move about freely once again. This has led to more traffic safety on the roads. People cannot wait to get out and see family and friends, go shopping, and more.

With people returning to the roads, traffic control equipment has become more important. Localities need to determine which equipment to invest in as well as where to place this equipment. Failing to do so could lead to disaster.

Traffic Deaths

As countless individuals across the country and globe were locked down during the pandemic, one would assume traffic deaths declined. Sadly, this was not the case. In fact, it wasn’t until the second quarter of 2022 that the number of traffic deaths declined. The previous seven quarters saw a year-over-year increase in these deaths.

Over 20,000 individuals lost their lives in traffic fatalities in the first six months of 2022. Nobody can say definitively how many of these lives might have been saved with traffic safety equipment, but odds are some of those individuals might still be alive if this equipment was in place. What types of equipment might be used for this purpose?

Delineators and Markers

Many localities choose to use delineators and markers for construction and bike lanes. They may also use them as curb barriers. These devices come in many styles, including curb and surface mount. The locality determines the color and length needed for these markers, which are ideal for high-impact areas. They can take numerous hits before the locality must replace them.

Cones and Barricades

Cones and barricades are another option localities should consider when choosing traffic safety equipment. These devices help to block off roads for construction projects and direct traffic to detours. They come in many styles, including barricades, traffic cones, cone bars, and pedestrian rails.

In addition to helping enforce safety procedures, these devices may be useful in promoting social distancing or for crowd control. The bright and reflective devices also help drivers easily see where additional caution is needed on the roadway. Apart from this, a guardrail is also very useful to help drivers drive safely.

Warning Devices

Warning devices come in many styles. For instance, a locality may put up an advance warning beacon to alert drivers to a change in the traffic pattern. Another locality might install rumble strips for the same purpose. Energy dissipators are another option that might be used, and many entities use traffic paddles to direct traffic when a portion of a road will be closed for any purpose. These paddles are also used to direct traffic in school zones or when traffic lights aren’t operational.

Electronic Traffic Signs

Signs play an important role in traffic safety today. They prevent accidents by alerting drivers to traffic flow and road conditions. This allows the drivers to prepare for what is ahead. A locality may also use these signs to alert drivers to the speed at which they are traveling or to provide information about road closures and other information of importance to drivers.

Knowing which types of traffic control devices to use is important. However, other factors also need to be considered when making this purchase. Take the following into account when choosing which items to buy.

Product Quality

As traffic control devices are exposed to the elements, the quality of these products needs consideration during the purchase process. Items may look durable on the surface but won’t hold up with time. The purchasing entity ends up spending more to replace low-quality products than it would invest in high-quality products initially.

In addition, low-quality products can do harm to vehicles and possibly humans. For instance, any debris created when one of these items’ breaks could puncture a tire and lead to an accident. Only purchase those items which are regulation approved to avoid situations such as this. Talk with the supplier to learn the anticipated lifespan of the different products and what conditions they are designed for.

Project Conditions

No two projects are identical, which is why a company needs to evaluate conditions before determining which traffic safety equipment should be used. For example, the equipment needed for a busy highway differs greatly from the equipment that will be used for a project involving a rural road that sees little traffic. Equipment needed for a road project differs from equipment needed for a pedestrian event.

The number of cars that use the road and the number of pedestrians that will be present in the designated area must be taken into consideration when selecting the equipment. Stronger equipment will be needed for heavily traveled areas.

In addition, consider the visibility of the equipment. Ensure it can be seen in all types of weather conditions and will provide a person with the time needed to react to changing conditions. If the driver or pedestrian doesn’t see the sign or barrier until they are on top of it, it won’t be of much help to them in reacting to the changing conditions.

Other Traffic Control Measures

Other traffic control measures might be needed. For example, speed bumps are common in parking lots and some roads today have speed tables to slow drivers in heavily traveled areas or areas where pedestrians are present. Speed humps are another option that should be considered.

Road markings are of help to individuals unfamiliar with an area, as these markings alert drivers to traffic patterns. One-way arrows serve as a good example of a traffic control measure. Don’t overlook traffic control measures when dealing with a large crowd of people, either. These devices can be used to keep people out of restricted areas and protect them from harm, so the event is a pleasant experience for all who are taking part.

Every person involved in a road or parking lot project should know which traffic control measures are being used and why. This helps ensure they use them properly and regularly. Failing to do so could lead to an accident, property damage, and injuries to humans.

Don’t let this happen. Work with a traffic safety equipment provider to determine which equipment is needed and how best to use it. Those that do so find they are able to complete the project safely and in a reasonable timeframe.