TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT: A SET OF LIFESAVER DEVICES

Almost all cities across the world suffer from problems of severe traffic congestion. With the growing economy, the issue of traffic congestion has also grown more serious since many years now. Traffic control equipment is an apparatus or a device that helps keep traffic zones safe and different, as well as appropriate traffic control devices together provide a complete line of traffic safety solutions.  Be it a crowd control barrier, parking bollard, arrow board, pavement marking or a convex mirror, each one is a category of traffic control equipment.  These apparatuses are places or positioned at key locations to regulate and direct traffic movement, control the speed of the vehicles and warn the road users about the potential hazards. Some of these also provide information to users about the detours and traffic delays. All of these help in the smooth movement of traffic in the right direction and help block potential mishaps. 

CHARACTERISTICS

The characteristics of good and efficient traffic control equipment are:

1.       Good traffic control equipment commands attention of all road users.

2.       Good traffic control equipment speaks loud and clear.

3.       Good traffic control equipment commands respect and obeisance from each road user.

4.       Good traffic control equipment enough time for appropriate response.

5.       Good traffic control equipment does not distract a user.

6.       Good traffic control equipments clearly visible both in day and night.

7.       Good traffic control equipments appropriately located.

8.       Good traffic control equipments in a color that triggers instant response.

FUNCTIONS

The main function of traffic control equipment is to provide appropriate information to the road users including motor vehicles and pedestrians, for their safe and smooth movement.  The functions of traffic control devices are:

1.       Provide significant information about diversions, bypasses, etc. to the road users.

2.       They control, monitor, and warn users about road conditions.

3.       Direct the traffic in the right direction and help in traffic management procedure. 

EXAMPLES

1.       Crowd control barriers 

Also referred to as crowd control barricades, this type of traffic control equipment is very effective during public events such as parade, political rallies and outdoor festivals. They play a great role in managing the crowd during procession of such events. Crowd control barrier acts as physical, as well as psychological barricade and helps in demarcation of ‘no access’ areas. All these uses thus help in controlling traffic.

2.    Parking bollards

These traffic control devices help in controlling unnecessary traffic jams. The aim of putting up a solid parking bollard is to provide an inflexible barricade against vehicle owners who try to park or drive in unauthorized zones. This helps prevent encroachment of roads and hence regulates smooth movement of all road users.

3.    Arrow boards

An arrow board is an efficient traffic control device. Directional arrow boards provide the perfect way out for traffic management procedure. They are used to guide the traffic in the right direction.

4.    Convex mirrors

A convex mirror helps provide more than 160-degree viewing angle to help reduce accidents and enhance the movement of traffic.