Safety Beyond Signs: The Crucial Role of Delineators in Traffic Management
Driving through road construction sites during daylight hours may be daunting enough, but travelling through them at night can be terrifying. Even though these improvements to our infrastructure are essential, they are often without any clear lane markings. Thankfully, clearly visible speed reduction signs, traffic cones, and delineators act as our silent guardians through these hazards, enhancing visibility and guiding us through the danger zones to arrive safely at our destinations.
More than Just Traffic Cones – Delineators Lead the Way
While often mistaken for the humble traffic cone, delineators are a diverse group of traffic-management devices. They are specifically designed to:
- Guide us Through Lane Changes: This is crucial for maintaining lane discipline, especially through construction sites during low-light conditions or in areas with poor visibility due to fog, rain, or snow.
- Highlight Curves, Bends, and Other Hazards: Strategically placed delineators warn us of changes in the road or upcoming dangers, giving us time to adjust speed and navigate through them safely.
- Channel Traffic Flow: Delineators can be used to direct vehicles through lane changes while emergency workers are attending to dangerous situations on the road like accidents, fire, or landslides.
- Increase Driver Awareness: The reflective nature of delineators catches headlights, making them highly visible even from a distance. This constant visual reminder keeps drivers focused on the road and less likely to drift or make sudden manoeuvres into oncoming traffic.
Enhanced Visibility – The Core of Delineator Safety
The effectiveness of delineators lies in their ability to enhance visibility in several ways, including:
- Reflective Materials: Most delineators are made with high-intensity reflective sheeting, which bounces light back from headlights, making them stand out even in the darkest of conditions. This is especially important for nighttime driving when lane markings have been erased.
- Colour Coding: Different colours are used for different purposes. For example, red and white delineators may be used for permanent road instructions for no-stopping zones and are often used in unison with a solid red painted line on the road while black and yellow delineators might be used during road alterations or construction areas.
- Spacing and Height: The spacing and height of delineators are carefully calculated to ensure maximum visibility from various angles and distances. This ensures that drivers receive timely warnings and guidance, regardless of their position on the road.
Beyond Visibility – Additional Benefits of Delineators
The benefits of delineators are numerous and extend beyond just enhanced visibility. They also:
- Reduce Accidents: Construction sites and roadways equipped with delineators and other road safety equipment warn drivers to reduce speed and navigate hazards safely, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Improve Traffic Flow: By clearly defining lanes and guiding drivers, these devices help to maintain smooth traffic flow, reducing congestion delays.
- Lower Maintenance Costs: Delineators are relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. Some are impact-resistant like Dura-Post®, which can resist up to 200 impacts at 97km/h and is also weather-resistant, withstanding extreme temperatures between -20*C to -60*C, making them a cost-effective way to improve road safety.
The Importance of Delineators and Road Safety Equipment
Available in different shapes, colours, and configurations, delineators are often overlooked as imperative road safety devices, but they do play a crucial role in keeping our highways and byways safe and accident-free. By enhancing visibility and guiding drivers through hazardous situations, they are our silent guiding reflectors, working tirelessly to protect the lives of road users and their families.
At Armco Superlite, our quality supersedes prices, and we never substitute quality for quantity. We know our superior products will beat any inferior imitations over time. Initial investments may be higher than some competitors; however, the durability and longevity of our products save on consistent breakage and replacement purchases, saving you time and money.
For a full inventory of our superior-quality delineators and our bursting portfolio of other road safety equipment, products, and services, peruse our website or simply consult with us for a quotation. Arm yourself with Armco – where road safety is everything.