We would like to give a shoutout to a few of our hard-working, long-term employees here at Impact RecoverySM who have recently celebrated important anniversaries with our company. We invite you to read more about these recognitions and what they enjoy most about working at Impact Recovery below.

Northeast Regional Sales Manager Tom Aber celebrated his ten-year anniversary with the company. President, Greg Hannah, congratulated Tom by presenting him with a ten-year plaque at our 2023 Annual Sales Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Tom shares that what he has enjoyed most about working at Impact Recovery is working with the amazing customers, “I’ve never dreaded getting up and going to work.” One of his favorite memories working at Impact Recovery was when we hosted the Inaugural Sporting Clays at ATSSA, “It has become a huge event since then.”

16 - Impact Recovery Celebrates Employee Anniversaries

In addition, Director of Business Development Tim Lang recently celebrated his five-year anniversary. Tim also mentioned that he has enjoyed working with the team, “We have a great group of people who work hard to get the job done.” Tim’s favorite thing about being a part of the team is the ability to participate in different committees in the traffic industry, including ATSSA, ARTBA, National Committee, and NTPEP. He says, “Each of these committees plays an important role in our industry and I am honored to be able to participate on behalf of our company.” 

About Meet the Team Tim Lang - Impact Recovery Celebrates Employee Anniversaries

We would also like to recognize Project Engineer, Patrick Boyle, and congratulate him on celebrating his five-year anniversary with the company. Patrick has enjoyed the “constant opportunity for learning and growing” that working at Impact Recovery has provided him these past five years. The most memorable part of working here for Patrick is, “Designing products and applications in the warehouse for the traffic safety world to meet specific criteria and high-performance requirements. “He also shares that he is appreciative of his coworkers saying, “They continue to inspire me to develop and improve my knowledge and skills.”

Congratulations on achieving these milestones and thank you sincerely for being a part of our team.

Impact Recovery Systems, Inc.® is currently hiring for assembly positions. We offer paid training and direct hire jobs for anyone looking to work in a fun, friendly, and family-like environment.

Our positions offer a starting pay of $15 an hour with a work schedule of Monday-Friday, 7am-3:30pm/4:30pm with some overtime/mandatory Saturday hours.

Responsibilities

Requirements

Applying is easy, and on the spot interviews are available in most instances. We accept applications Monday – Friday: 8am-2pm. Visit our offices and apply in person at 4955 Stout Drive, San Antonio, TX 78219.

This Christmas Impact Recovery donated to six organizations. Making these donations on behalf of our valued customers gave us the opportunity to visit these worthy organizations in-person and learn more about what they do and why they’re vital to our community.  

  • Our first stop was a tour at the San Antonio Food Bank. We had an opportunity to see the warehouse where food donations are delivered and prepared. We also got to learn about the many other resources the San Antonio Food Bank provides, such as cooking classes, their Hunters for the Hungry Program, DaisyCares Pet Food Program, and their farms and gardens being used to feed the hungry in our community.  
  • Our second stop was meeting a couple of new intakes at the San Antonio Humane Society. We had the chance to hold Gilmore and Finley, while learning about the many resources and services offered for animals in general.  
  • Our third stop was the San Antonio office of the Wounded Warrior Project. This cause is near and dear to our hearts not only at Impact Recovery Systems, but also as a community here in San Antonio. We had the opportunity to speak with Regional Director Earl Fontenot about all the resources that they are currently providing for veterans here in San Antonio. They provide several programs for veterans who may have been injured in combat or may be struggling to adjust to life as a civilian. Earl also informed us that their office accepts the largest number of walk-ins.  
  • For our fourth stop, we visited Morgan’s Wonderland. We had the opportunity to tour Morgan’s Multi-Assistance Center (MAC) and learn about all the resources they provide to people with disabilities and special needs. Morgan’s Wonderland is the first truly accessible theme park in the world. Just down the road from the park is Morgan’s MAC. Morgan’s MAC has several amazing programs, such as Morgan’s Salon and Practice without Pressure. 
  • Lastly, we met with Central Texas Development Director Jessica Mendoza of Susan G. Komen, at our headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. She spoke with President Greg Hannah and Director of Marketing Liz Arnold about how Susan G. Komen is currently trying to expand their resources into Central and South Texas. She informed us of some amazing upcoming events, such as the pink tie guys and the PINK walk returning to San Antonio for the first time since 2019.  

Our team members in Europe had the opportunity to support three different organizations. The first one was Stichting AAP in the Netherlands. They focus on rescuing and rehabilitating exotic animals to give them a second chance at life. The second one was SOS Children’s Village in Austria. They provide care, education, and healthcare to vulnerable children for a brighter future. The last organization was the European Anti-Poverty Network in Belgium. They fight against poverty and social exclusion in the EU, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.   

Thank you to our customers for giving us the opportunity to be able to make these generous contributions to these amazing organizations, and we hope you had a wonderful holiday season.  

Road crews and public safety officials use many kinds of traffic panels in today’s world. Some of the major types include:

  1. Hazard markers: These are used for marking road hazards like low-water crossings, roadway obstructions, low or crumbling shoulders, bridge and guard rail approaches, and anything that might compromise motorists’ safety.
  2. Object markers: These are used to notify drivers they are approaching raised curbs, islands, or other types of permanent obstructions.
  3. K-markers: These serve much the same purpose as object markers.  They alert motorists to the presence of pedestrian refuge islands, crosswalks, raised curbs, or anything that calls for the presence of a type two marker.
  4. Sergeant stripes: These are used to direct drivers around either side of a roadway obstruction.  They’re especially useful for marking impact attenuators or the perimeters of islands.
  5. Vertical panels: These are used to channelize traffic away from road workers or other obstructions, divide opposing lanes, mark lane closures or replace barricades in areas with limited space.  They’re especially useful for alerting motorists to the presence of road alignment or lane shift changes.
  6. Chevron panels: These traffic panels alert drivers to the presence of sharp curves and other changes in road conditions.
  7. Opposing traffic lane dividers: These are used to mark sections of road with temporary opposing lanes.  For example, a four-lane highway may be transformed into two-way lanes for a limited time to give crews the chance to complete road repairs.
  8. Temporary stop signs: These are used during emergency situations like widespread power outages, toxic chemical spills, natural disasters, and other crisis conditions.  They can also be used during road construction, or at intersections that are being tested for a potential traffic light. These traffic panels are easy to install and transport, making them especially useful during rapidly changing conditions.
  9. Portable work sign stands: These special-purpose traffic panels are used to protect road crews from careless, impaired, or inattentive motorists.

Conclusion

Traffic panels serve a vital role in today’s rapidly changing infrastructure environment. Their importance will only increase in years to come.

State and federal building codes give stringent directions for installing handicap parking sign spaces and posts. Fortunately, these are straightforward and easy to follow. The following is a breakdown of the major rules.

NOTE: this is a high-level introduction to the topic. For specific rules in your locality, contact your state or city highway or building department.

Space Size: A handicap parking space should be a minimum of 96 inches wide, with an adjacent aisle of 60 to 96 inches.

Space Slope: A handicap parking space should have a slope no steeper than 1:48.

Signage Logo: A sign displaying the international symbol of accessibility should mark each spot. Crews should install the signs at a height of between 60 and 84 inches.

Exceptions to the Rules

In most locations, spaces used exclusively for delivery vehicles, buses, commercial trucks, vehicle-in-tow lots, or law enforcement are exempt from handicap parking sign post regulations.

Number of Handicap Parking Spots

The following is the minimum number of handicap spaces required for parking lots.  This guide is based on the number of spaces within a given lot:

  • Lots with 1 to 25 spaces: at least one space for handicapped drivers.
  • Lots with 26 to 50 spaces: at least two spaces.
  • Lots with 51 to 75 spaces: at least three spaces.
  • Lots with 75 to 100 spaces: at least four spaces.
  • Lots with 101 to 250 spaces: at least five spaces.
  • Lots with from 151 to 200 spaces: at least six spaces.
  • Lots with 201 to 300 spaces: at least seven spaces.
  • Lots with 301 to 400 spaces: at least eight spaces.
  • Lots with 401 to 500 spaces: at least nine spaces.
  • Lots with 501 to 1000 spaces should set aside at least 2% of the total number of spaces for handicapped drivers.
  • Lots with more than 1000 spaces should have a minimum of 20 set aside for handicapped drivers, with an additional space for every 100 above 1000; for example, a lot with 1100 spaces should have at least 21 reserved for the handicapped.

In all cases, at least one in every eight handicap parking spaces must be van accessible.

Space Location

Installers should place handicap parking spaces so that they offer the shortest possible route from the spot to a building entrance. In cases where a single lot serves multiple facilities, installers may place handicap parking spaces in multiple locations, as long as each space follows the shortest possible route to an accessible building entrance.

Access Aisles

Installers should place striped access aisles next to each handicap spot. They should make these aisles a minimum of 60 inches in width. The only exception to this rule is when a handicap spot is set aside for van parking. In such cases they should make the access aisle at least 96 inches in width. When possible, the crew should mark the aisle with a no parking sign.

Installing Handicap Parking Sign Posts

Holes for signposts should be between 3 and 8 inches below grade, with a minimum width of 9 inches to allow for an ample amount of anchoring concrete. Handicap parking signs are typically mounted on standard steel pipes filled with concrete. However, Impact Recovery System’s, Inc.® Sta-Rite Sign posts and Impactable Handicap Parking Sign Posts are ADA-compliant, and are designed to withstand bumper hits without damage to the post or the vehicle.

Penalties

Various state and local laws provide stiff penalties for unauthorized use of spaces with a handicap parking sign. Punishments range from fines to loss of driving privileges for a limited period of time.

Customer

Beverage Distributors, Inc. Clarksburg, West Virginia

Situation

Beverage Distributors, Inc. recently purchased two new in-ground lifts to improve productivity. These lifts make it possible to load and unload box trucks while larger trucks use the loading docks. The addition of the new lifts created the ability to load more trucks in a timely manner. However, it also created more traffic within the warehouse. A solution to help control the flow of traffic around the lifts as well as protect the costly investment was needed.

Solution

SlowStop® was able to control foot traffic between the lift with a two-rail horseshoe bollard. Hydraulic pumps are stationed in between the lifts. The horseshoe bollard serves two purposes; one protects the pumps from trucks and the other to eliminate foot traffic between the lifts. Flexrail guardrail protects the exterior of the lifts and from employees while in operation. All guarding is able to withstand impacts from the truck while leaving the lifts completely unharmed.

20200211 085725 - Case Study: Industrial Equipment Protection

Customer

National Retailer Distribution Center

Situation

When building a new distribution facility there are many things to consider. One of those is how to best protect costly equipment within the facility. They knew that the costly investment of new conveyor systems and forklift charging stations would need to be protected. One impact from a forklift could cost not only thousands of dollars in damage, but also loss of productivity.

Solution

Having seen SlowStop bollards at work in other facilities, and liking the clean look and superior protection, they decided to install SlowStop throughout the new facility. Using a combination of different sized SlowStop bollards and Guardrail, they were able to completely customize the level of protection needed at each location throughout the facility. They are incredibly pleased with the uniform look and unrivaled protection of using SlowStop throughout.

LA Metropolitan Transportation Authority enlists Impact Recovery Systems® to design and manufacture a custom barrier system.

Millions of people all around the world utilize commuter trains everyday as a means of transportation. While this increasingly popular transportation method may seem safe for most of the population, there are those whose safety is being compromised each time the train is at the loading platform. When this situation turned deadly for one passenger, Impact Recovery Systems, Inc. – manufacturer of high impact traffic barriers and pedestrian safety equipment in San Antonio, TX – was called into action to devise a solution to keep train passengers better protected while on the train platform.

Protecting passengers when a commuter train pulls up to the loading platform there is an open and exposed area between the train cars, large enough for a grown person to fall onto the tracks below. This area can prove very dangerous for vulnerable passengers, for example small children, distracted passengers, and the visually impaired. The Federal Transit Administration’s Title 49, Part 38, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Specifications for Transportation Vehicles, states: “Where vehicles operate in a high-platform, level-boarding mode, devices or systems shall be provided to prevent, deter or warn individuals from inadvertently stepping off the platform between cars.” With this directive in mind, many trains now come equipped with chains guarding the opening between the trains. However, chains are not always effective in preventing a person from falling between the cars. According to a 2009 report in the L.A. Times, a visually impaired man attempting to board a commuter train in Los Angeles, CA walked off the platform into what he believed was a train door but was in fact, a gap between train cars, causing him to fall onto the tracks below. Passengers were not able to notify the train’s operator in time to stop it from leaving the station. In an effort to offer protection to their passengers, LA Metropolitan Transportation Authority ordered the immediate installation of platform mounted barriers that would deter passengers from walking between the cars and falling onto the tracks below. LA Metro enlisted Impact Recovery Systems to design and manufacture a custom barrier system for this project. While the endeavor may have appeared simple, multiple design criteria had to be taken into consideration when developing the proper system for LA Metro and other transit authorities, which included fire retardancy, weatherability, chemical and mechanical resistance, ease of maintenance, high visibility for sighted and visually impaired riders, compliance with current ADA standards, and minimal platform connection points. Accommodations also needed to be made to address the possibility of errant docking events.

Extensive testing after extensive testing to confirm compliance with the high-performance standards of LA Metro, the final product, which was named the Sentinel Between-Car-Barrier®, was produced and approved for its ability to maintain fire and chemical retardancy, sustain extended exposure to weathering elements, and have minimum connection points to the platform – ensuring limited risk to conductivity and electrical concerns within the platform. Each Sentinel Between-Car- Barrier curb section is 36” in length and contains four 26” upright posts, spaced at 9” on Centre, each containing a reactive spring device with tension settings low enough that in the event of errant docking, passengers, including those in wheelchairs would be able to traverse the curbing and uprights and not be trapped in the rail car. All Sentinel components were created in safety yellow coloration to ensure high visibility for all passengers. Sentinel’s light weight, easy to install, snap together design also permitted custom length curbing installations. Following the approval of California’s Public Utilities Commission Office of Public Safety, the LA Fire Department, as well as the Federal Access Board, LA Metro has installed the Sentinel Between Car-Barrier Systems on all the Gold, Green, Blue and Red Lines within their system. It is their intention to embark on a plan to install Sentinel on all future lines and extensions of lines in their transit system. Thanks to the quick and cohesive efforts of LA Metro and Impact Recovery Systems, the time span between initial contact to the installation of the materials was a mere 120 days.

Chevron panels are a type of traffic marking system, one that has been used for over a century to warn drivers about impending hazards.  The MUTCD specifies a wide array of signage designs for use across the United States.  While they vary in their exact details, they are united by common features that enable them to fulfill their purpose. 

These include:

Visibility.  Chevron panels and other traffic markers should be conspicuous to drivers of all age groups and at a sufficient distance to allow them to react to the message conveyed.  In general, contrasting color choices and bright tones serve this purpose best, which is why chevron panels typically have a black-and-yellow layout.

Singular functionality.  To fulfill their purpose, each type of traffic sign must be distinct from all other types.  Otherwise, the driver may be unsure about the information being communicated.  To accomplish this, designers make signage in different shapes and with varying logos, text colors, sizes, etc.

Frequency.  A sign that drivers almost never see is unlikely to be remembered, which is why the MUTCD allows only a limited number of designs.  The idea is for chevron panels and other traffic markers to remain familiar to the driver’s mind without being so commonplace that they lose their impact.

Standardization.  Traffic markers must be simple enough in design for manufacturers to replicate them with ease.  This is one reason why logos are preferable to text when it comes to traffic signs.  A graphic image contains no letters that can be misread by approaching drivers.  In a few cases, limited use of text is allowed, as in the ever-familiar stop sign.

Chevron panels are effective because they conform to the above guidelines.  Understanding the principles that guide sign design and selection can help public safety officials, highway engineers, and others to appreciate the care and time that goes into creating all types of traffic markers.

{filedir 6}New Team Member Irina Nutten - Aarschot Welcomes New European Sales Director

We are excited to announce that Irina Nutten has joined Impact Recovery Systems, Inc.® as the European sales director. Irina is a motivated, accomplished business and management director with more than 20 years of experience in European industrial markets. She has worked with companies based in the EU and the UK, such as James Walker Townson Ltd and FAFNIR GmbH. Irina obtained her master’s degree in International Business and Management from ISCID in Dunkirk, France. 

With a strong background in sales and business development, management, and strategic planning, Irina has successfully managed different teams by bringing forward fresh ideas that leverage new technologies and strategies. She has achieved remarkable business and area sales growth through her strategies. Irina is also skilled in multilingual communication, speaking English, French, Russian, and some Dutch and German.

Irina comments, “I’m excited to work for Impact Recovery Systems® for several reasons. I’m genuinely impressed by the company’s products, culture, and team members. The products are exceptional in terms of quality, and the company’s culture is a great fit with my ideal work environment.”

Irina’s expansive background and experience with be a great asset to Impact Recovery Systems® as we position ourselves to grow our European market.