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Thermoplastic Striping

Thermoplastic Striping

 

What is Thermoplastic Striping?

 Thermoplastic striping for road markings is one of the most common types of BC Traffic Specialist Construction Services. The thermoplastic material consists of pigments and binders. One unique characteristic of thermoplastic striping is the use of glass bead on the material, which makes the stripes reflective and visible at night. Heated to approximately 400 degrees, this type of material is melted first and then forms durable, longer lasting lines and symbols with nighttime visibility. Thermoplastic pavement marking is ready for use almost immediately, without drying time.

 What’s the Benefit of Thermoplastic Pavement Markings?

 If you are looking for a road-marking method that can last for several years, thermoplastic pavement marking is indeed your very cost-effective solution based on its balance between cost and performance longevity. While traffic paint usually lasts for a year in low traffic areas, and even less in higher traffic roads, thermoplastic striping will outlast regular paint by many types. By choosing thermoplastic road and parking lot striping, you can maintain road markings in good condition for years to come, and additionally, save your road markings budget. In particular, many states require that higher-volume highways are re-striped up to three times a year with paint, but only every two years with thermoplastic markings.

Striping is a vital part of road paving job, and thermoplastic road markings are the best choice for finishing the project. The process allows for quicker striping and long lasting results. Therefore, thermoplastic striping has dominated the  traffic marking industry for decades and continued to be the product of choice because of its durability, long wearing traits.

 

Understanding the Significance of Traffic cones

Understanding the Significance of Traffic cones

Traffic and the rules are something that needs to be taken note of irrespective of the place that you visit. The flow of traffic obviously differs from place to place and so does the rules and regulations. 

Among the developed countries, the United States has a huge population of about 329 million as per the 2019 stats. This being a huge number also clearly depicts the flow of traffic in the country.

Let us all take a quick look at the rules and the set up traffic guidelines of the United States. 

 The white solid lines that run along the road indicate the driver to stay in that very same lane. 

  • The driving wheel is always towards the left side of the vehicle. 
  • Always drive towards the right. 
  • The driver will have to completely stop while pedestrians cross the roads. 
  • Honking is not recommended. 
  • Yellow lines on the roads separate the traffic from different directions. 
  • Stop or slow down when you hear the siren of any kind. 
  • Drive on the right lane and use the left lane to pass other vehicles in the same road or direction. 
  • Seat belts are a must for all the people travelling the vehicle. 
  • Also do follow the road signs that clearly indicate vehicle speed limit, one way, no parking, toll fee and other safety signs. 

 Traffic Cones - Know the Basics

The one prominent sign or indicator that we all come across is the ‘Traffic cone’. They are seen on some road and definitely means a lot. Let us dive deep into the history and other details of them.  

  Traffic Cones -  Significance & Appearance

Traffic cones are one major role players when it comes to discussing traffic management, especially in the United States. It is a well known fact that these cones are efficient enough to divert the traffic away from work in progress or danger of any sort.  

 To start off with the detailing of the look of the traffic cone, they are mostly orange in colour which happens to be one of the brightest colours. Currently these orange cones have neon, reflective or glow strips so as to make them visible even during the pitch dark nights. 

 Reflective strips come along with the bare cones so as to make it visible even during pitch dark night. Apart from just the reflective strips, there are rotating lights on the top of the cones which also make it easy for the drivers.

 The base of the traffic cones is flat which makes them stable to stand on the roads. The weight and the height are perfectly designed so as to make sure that they are not blown away due to reasons like air or vehicles. The reason for this is the flexible polymer, polyvinyl chloride, plasticiser etc. The cone sections of the traffic cones are generally hollow. 

 Traffic Cones - Various Sizes & Purposes

 Did you know that these cones come in different sizes and thus used for various purposes?! Well, if you were not aware of this then do check this out here. 

  • 28" 10 lbs traffic cones used for highway applications. 
  • 28" 7 lbs traffic cones are used in local area streets. 
  • 18" 3 lbs traffic cones are used while the line painting work is in progress on the roads. 
  • 12" 1.5 lbs traffic cones are mostly used for both indoor and outdoor usage. 

 Apart from traffic cones appearing on the roads and highways, they are put to usage at the indoor applications like the dangerous conditions at an over crowded mall, caution or diverting the public from using public property, potholes on the roads, children zone, closed shop etc. 

 Whatever the usage might be, it must be noted that each of them indicate something based on the locality and the surrounding situation.

 Traffic Cones - The Main Purposes

The main purpose of traffic cones is providing safety and sending an alert to the people who are driving on the road. These cones mostly indicate that some construction is going on ahead or that the area is not safe to drive to. Thus, whenever you see a traffic cone on the road, you should slow down a bit as a precaution. The presence of traffic cones is very essential as it gives a hint about the area ahead and thus, you may stay safe from any mishap while driving upon the roads. The traffic cones are also used for redirecting the vehicles. They are an easy and simple way to tell the drivers on the road that there is upcoming risky traffic ahead. As a result, the drivers can take the essential decision according to the situation. 

 To sum up, let us tell you that traffic cones are an inseparable part of traffic management and it is our duty to follow the indications sent by these cones in order to stay safe on the road

Speed in Costruction Areas

Speed in Costruction Areas

A work zone is an area where roadwork takes place and may involve lane closures, detours and moving equipment. Highway work zones are set up according to the type of road and the work to be done on the road. Work zones on U.S. highways have become increasingly dangerous places for both workers and drivers.

Any construction zone is potentially dangerous, but the ones on the highway are especially deadly because of the high speeds vehicles are moving at. Some of the common dangers that construction zones pose for motorcycle riders include: Loose gravel and debris.

Rear-end crashes (running into the rear of a slowing or stopping vehicle) are the most common type of work zone crash. Fatal work zone crashes occur most often in summer and fall. The majority of fatal work zone crashes occurred on roads with speed limits greater than 50 mph

When driving through work zones, you should: turn on your flashers; drive slowly; and use your brake lights to warn drivers behind you. In some situations, you may need to drive slower than the work zone speed limit if weather conditions and traffic patterns dictate. Doing so can put construction workers and other motorists in danger, and result in a hefty fine.A work zone is an area where roadwork takes place and may involve lane closures, detours and moving equipment. According to the National Safety Council, over 100 road construction workers are killed in construction zones each year.

Most signs in work areas are diamond-shaped, although a few signs are rectangular. Orange is the basic color of these signs and warning devices

Under California Vehicle Code Section 22362 VC, a motorist is presumed to be in violation of the State's basic speeding law if "speeding" within 400 feet of a construction zone.  Vehicle Code 22362 states that speed limits within construction zones can be set as low as 25 miles per hour.

Regulatory construction speed limit signs are erected in construction workzones lowering speed limits, i.e. from 70 mph or 65 mph to 55 mph or from 55 mph to 45 mph, and apply when normal conditions do not exist (narrow lanes, edge drop-offs, lane reduction, etc.) for the motorist.

And the common-sense regulations just keep on rollin'. If as a result of a sharp shoulder or other road hazards the speed limit remains at 50 km/h, “if there are no workers present, speeding fines will not be doubled.

Construction Zone Double Fines. . In addition to the reduced speed, any violation that occurs within a construction work zone is subject to double fines. This means, for example, any lane change violation or other traffic infraction carries twice the amount of the normal fine.

The fine for a first offense when speeding in a construction zone is a minimum of $375. The fine may be even more, depending on how fast you were driving in the construction zone. .The most severe penalties are triggered when you are driving 35 miles per hour or more over the speed limit.

 The minimum highway work zone speed limit is 20 miles per hour. The work zonespeed limit must not reduce the established speed limit on the affected street or highway by more than 15 miles per hour, except that the highway work zone speed limit must not exceed 40 miles per hour.

The penalties for speeding in a construction zone are even more severe. A first offense carries a minimum fine of $375 while a subsequent infraction carries a minimum $1,000 fine. It doesn't matter if workers were present in the site or not , you can still face charges.

Driving 1 to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit will result in 3 points. 11 to 20 miles per hour over the speed limit posted in a work zone will result in 4 points. The minimum fines will double that of a normal speeding violation

Speeding in a construction zone (625 ILCS 5/11-605.1)

Speeding in a construction zone is a petty offense, punishable by up to a $1000 fine, and a minimum fine of $250 for a first offense, a minimum fine of $750 for a second or subsequent offense, plus a $125 “hire-back fund” assessment..

 1,269 road construction worker deaths occurred at construction sites from 2003 through 2016. This accounted for about 9 percent of all construction fatalities each year.

Work zones in particular cause about 24 percent of nonrecurring congestion and 10 percent of all congestion. As such, work zones affect the overall mobility of a highway, having a reach that extends well beyond the limits of the construction area.

Out of every 5,000 private-industry worker fatalities, 20 percent are in construction. That means one out of every five worker deaths is construction-related! Construction also results in many non-fatal injuries that cost companies millions of dollars per year