http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/ en info@impactrecovery.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-09T15:33:50+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/2012_texas_public_works_short_course http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/2012_texas_public_works_short_course#When:15:33:50Z Impact Recovery Systems is a proud sponsor of the 2012 Texas Public Works short course.   This year, the Texas Public Works Short Course will be held in Lubbock, Texas on February 12—14 at the Overton Hotel and Conference Center.  Designed to meet the needs of Public Works professionals, attendees at the course will be qualified for CEU’s and PDH’s. TFMA credits can be earned by attending the Water Resources sessions.  Going to the Solid Wastes session will qualify attendees for TCEQ credits.  Among the types of professionals encouraged to attend are Public Works Operators, Equipment Operators, Water and Sewer Professionals, Engineers, and Project Managers who develop and oversee pedestrian safety efforts.  The event begins Sunday at 2 PM with the meeting of the TPWA board of directors.  Sponsor set up and registration will take place from 3—5 PM. Impact Recovery Systems’ Account Executive, Chuck Hannah will be on hand amongst the sponsors, showcasing solutions for traffic issues faced by Texas Public Works officials. Sunday’s events will wrap up with the South Plains Equipment Demonstration and Scholarship Event from 5—9 PM. Events on Monday, February 13th begin with the keynote address by Al Sacco, Jr., Dean of the Whitacre College of Engineering.  Professor Sacco has enjoyed a distinguished career, during which he has served as a tenured professor at WPI from 1978 to 1997 and as professor of Chemical Engineering at Northeastern University from 1997 to 2010.  He also flew aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1995, during which he performed 200 experiments. For the rest of the day, Texas Public Works has scheduled various courses on utilities and farm resources, engineering and technology, fleet and emergency management, solid waste, transportation, and management and leadership skills.  There will also be exhibits on such topics as floodplain management, debris management, laser scanning technology and infrastructure planning. The event continues on Tuesday the 14th with additional classes, including ones on roadway flooding solutions, sidewalk maintenance and repair, reinforced concrete technology, traffic safety systems and bridge maintenance.  These will be followed by lunch at noon, a tour of the city of Lubbock, a few additional courses, and adjournment at 3:30 PM. The cost for attendance is $199, and rooms with double queen beds or a single king can be reserved at overtonhotel.com for $85 nightly.  Interested parties can register for the event online at www.tpwa.org. News, 2012-02-09T15:33:50+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/2012_atssa_convention_and_traffic_expo http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/2012_atssa_convention_and_traffic_expo#When:14:38:33Z ATSSA (American Traffic Safety Services Association) will hold its 42nd annual Convention and Traffic Expo in Tampa, Florida, February 12 through 16.  Scheduled events include a golf tournament, workshops on a variety of topics, and a Traffic Expo where issues such as pedestrian safety, parking lot safety, hazard markers, pavement marking and temporary traffic control will be discussed.  Events begin on the 12th with the Foundation Golf Classic Tournament from 9 AM until 4 PM.  The schedule continues the next morning with a continental breakfast at 7 AM, followed by registration.  The balance of the day will consist of committee sessions, and will culminate with the Chairman’s Reception of new members from 6 until 8:30 PM, during which champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served.  This will be a ticketed event. Tuesday’s events will begin with power talks from 8:30—9:30am.  Among the subjects to be discussed are generation of useful work zone traffic control guidelines, infrastructure technology, and development of loss prevention programs.  Workshops later in the day will center around issues like improving rural road safety, updates on pavement marking guidelines, roadway analysis and strategies for reducing traffic fatalities. Activities for the day will culminate in the opening of the Traffic Expo, beginning at 1 PM and lasting until 6 in the evening. Impact Recovery Systems will be exhibiting at the Traffic Expo in booth #1317. Impact Recovery Systems will be showcasing solutions for HOV lanes and toll plazas, as well as parking lot signage.  One of their newest products includes a lightweight pedestrian sign designed for use by school zone crossing guards. Visit Impact Recovery Systems’ booth to see what traffic safety solutions they have for you. As the convention and expo continues, workshops include such topics as gravel road safety, analysis of work site crashes, and strategies for developing resources for road safety projects.  As the convention wraps up on February the 16th.  Workshops will be held from 8:30—10am, and will focus on concerns such as high friction surfacing and understanding sign standards.  The conference will conclude after these sessions. Online registrations for the ATSSA Traffic Expo will be accepted through February 1, after which only registrations during the conference will be accepted.  Lodging is available close by, and attendees may be eligible for significant savings on their hotel bill via preregistration.  For further information, please visit the ATSSA’s website. News, 2012-02-09T14:38:33+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/2012_exhibit_schedule http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/2012_exhibit_schedule#When:16:05:19Z TPWA (Texas Public Works Association) Feb 12-14, 2012 Lubbock, TX ATSSA (American Traffic Safety Services Assoc.) Feb 14-16, 2012 Tampa, FL FTBA (Florida Transportation Builders’ Assoc) Mar 20-21, 2012 Orlando, FL Intertraffic Mar 27-30, 2012 Amsterdam, Neth. TXITE (Texas Institute of Transportation Engineers) Mar 28-30, 2012 San Marcos, TX AAAE (American Association of Airport Executives) Apr 29-May 2, 2012 Phoenix, AZ NYSATE (New Year State Association of Transportation Engineers) May 23-25, 2012 Syracuse, NY APTA Rail Conference (American Public Transportation Association) June 3-6, 2012 Dallas, TX TPWA Equipment Show (Texas Public Works Association) June 6-9, 2012 Mesquite, TX IACLEA (International Association of Campus Law Enforcement) June 15-19, 2012 Reno, NV Police Security Expo June 26-27, 2012 Atlantic City, NJ TRB Urban Street Symposium (Transportation Research Board) June 24-27, 2012 Chicago, IL GPAG Supply Fair (Government Purchasing Association of Georgia) Sept 18-19, 2012 Perry, GA TML (Texas Municipal League) Nov 13-16, 2012 Grapevine, TX Transpo Quip Nov 21-23, 2012 São Paulo, Brazil Tradeshows, 2012-01-17T16:05:19+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/product_bulletinretro_reflective_sheeting http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/product_bulletinretro_reflective_sheeting#When:14:43:32Z Effective December 2011, Impact Recovery Systems, Inc. is pleased to announce a product enhancement in the reflective sheeting for the IRS® line of MUTCD compliant Pedestrian Signs (R1-6 & R1-6a). Specifically, a decision has been made to upgrade the sheeting on these signs to a more flexible, diamond grade sheeting product with the goal of improving the performance of our industry-leading devices, by providing unparalleled improvements in the following areas: • Impact resistance - Reduced cracking and chipping, resulting in prolonged sign life and improved performance. • Increased conspicuity – Greatly improved retro-reflectivity at both direct and off angles. • Sheeting flexibility - Flexible properties of new sheeting resulting in a reduction in occasional edge cracking seen with earlier sheeting. In an effort to eliminate the need to increase pricing due to additional costs of this superior new sheeting, we will no longer sheet the lower 8” bib section of our standard In-Street Pedestrian signs. This change will allow IRS® to continue to maintain our 2006 pricing levels without the need for an increase. The bib sheeting change will not affect the OmniPed® and Solestrian products. All signs will continue to remain 100% MUTCD compliant. This change is being phased in effective immediately and will begin shipping as previous model stocks are depleted. For customers with specific demands, 3M DG³ sheeting may now be available in limited runs as a custom option, though cost and schedule premiums may apply due to smaller production runs. For further information, please contact customer service at 1-800-736-4477 or visit our website at www.impactrecovery.com. News, 2011-11-30T14:43:32+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/2009_mutcd_requirements_for_bike_lane_signs http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/2009_mutcd_requirements_for_bike_lane_signs#When:16:25:06Z Cyclists are an important component to factor into roadway design.  Thousands of people opt to take a bike to work or other destinations every day, and providing a safe commute for those on two wheels is just as important as for those on four.  The 2009 MUTCD, or Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, has strict guidelines in place as to the design and implementation of bike lane signs.  Impact Recovery Systems provides traffic control devices, including custom-made bicycle signage.  The 2009 edition of the MUTCD outlines dozens of requirements for bicycle lane signage.  The proper type of messages on retroreflective signs are dependent on how the roadway has been constructed, the speed of traffic, the prevailing speed of bicyclists, length of the block, and distances between adjacent intersections, as well as a variety of other factors.  Impact Recovery Systems can create a sign to meet or exceed industry standards and conform to the needs of the specific area of intended installation. There are a number of unique conditions that call for custom sign construction.  For instance, some bicycle paths require bike riders to yield, instead of vehicle users.  Yield signage for these scenarios must be erected so that car drivers are either not aware of the sign or are aware that it is not applicable to vehicular traffic.  Examples might be encompass areas where bicycles are required to yield to pedestrians or must use a pedestrian signal to cross the roadway.  Selective exclusion signs are another instance where custom signage is required.  There may not be standard signs available for excluding traffic such as skaters, equestrians, or other unique traffic.  It may also be imperative to warn drivers that parking is not allowed on certain roadways because a bike lane exists.  Impact Recovery Systems can design and construct signage with virtually any message, depending on the type of traffic that must be excluded from an area.  Bicycle riders are a permanent fixture on our roadways, and accommodations must be made for their safety.  Proper bike lane signs, whether standard or custom, are essential to keep both drivers and cyclists safe. News, 2011-08-11T16:25:06+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/traffic_safety_conference_atssa_2012_expo http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/traffic_safety_conference_atssa_2012_expo#When:16:20:31Z As the nation’s motorist count increases, so does the importance of safety.  At the forefront of the advancement in traffic safety is an organization commonly known as ATSSA.  ATSSA, or American Traffic Safety Services Association, is a national trade association whose headquarters reside in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  For the past 41 years, this association has held an annual traffic safety conference. This year’s 42nd Traffic Safety Expo is set to kick-off on February 13, 2012 in Tampa, Florida.  The day will begin with a continental breakfast and move into delegate registration.  Committee meetings start promptly at 8:30 am and topics include: guardrails, pavement marking, public awareness and safety, signage, and temporary traffic control.  After lunch, committees move into discussion on government relations, manufacturers and suppliers and membership topics.  February 14 is the official grand opening of the Expo, tentatively scheduled for 12 p.m.  Power-talk sessions are scheduled throughout the day, and time has been reserved to welcome new members of ATSSA.  Several workshop sessions are also scheduled throughout the convention and expo, though final itineraries have not yet been completed.  The safety expo is not only a great place to view and learn about the latest traffic control products, but also to network with industry leaders  and professionals.  Three scheduled events—the Chairman’s reception, the new member welcome and the opening general session and breakfast—are excellent opportunities to network and mingle with influential members of the traffic safety industry. Since 1969, ATSSA has been representing members of the traffic safety industry and promoting roadway safety in general.  Today, over 1,600 members from all over the world contribute to making roadways safer for those that travel them every day.  The 42nd annual traffic safety conference in Tampa, FL is yet another chance for insiders to show off their products and gain new knowledge about the state of the industry. 2011-08-11T16:20:31+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/rural_road_safety_low_cost_enhancements_for_back_roads http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/rural_road_safety_low_cost_enhancements_for_back_roads#When:16:16:26Z Our nation’s highways and major roadways seem to receive a great deal of national focus; however, rural road safety is just as important.  In fact, rural roads can be even more dangerous because of poor lighting, and are likely to contain dangerous road conditions such as potholes, flooding and sink holes.  In general, they are not maintained as well as the major thoroughfares.  There are a variety of low cost safety enhancements that can be installed on rural roads to make them safer for drivers.  Retroreflective signs can prove more important for rural road safety than on major roadways.  These roads are often so dark that drivers cannot see what is coming past their headlight beams.  For instance, a road that takes a 90-degree turn may never be seen by drivers on rural roads.  Since most rural roads do not contain street lights or headlights from other cars, hazards can be difficult to see.  A simple reflective sign warning drivers of an unexpected turn may be all that is needed to prevent a driver from leaving the roadway.  Temporary water-over-road signs are another inexpensive addition to keep drivers safe.  Rural roads are often built over marshy areas that may not have been backfilled.  Following a heavy rain, roadways may be washed out or experience flooding.  While these areas may be safe to drive through at a low speed, drivers often do not see them and encounter them at higher speeds than they can safely maneuver through.  Having a temporary sign that can be erected following heavy rains helps alert drivers to dangerous water hazards.  More permanent hazard markers can be installed along problem areas of rural roadways.  Areas that frequently flood, have steep ravines on either side, or roads that run may encounter other potentially dangerous conditions can benefit from these devices.  These markers consist of a simple post and reflector or a Type III hazard marker that can be installed in the ground to show drivers where the edge of the roadway is both night and day, and alert a motorist to a roadside hazard. Safety is a conscious consideration in an engineer’s mind when he addresses major thoroughfares; however, rural roads also need safety enhancements.  Flooding, poor road maintenance and other hazards make these roadways even more dangerous than well-built and well-lit freeways.  These tips for road safety can help keep drivers safe. News, 2011-08-11T16:16:26+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/highway_safety_systems_run_off_the_road_accidents http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/highway_safety_systems_run_off_the_road_accidents#When:15:56:29Z It is estimated that about one million vehicle crashes occur annually in the United States as a result of run-off-the-road accidents.  These include incidents where vehicles leave the roadway and impact ditches, trees, freeway overpasses and other roadside elements.  Road safety audits are an important aspect for ensuring that proper highway safety systems are in place to prevent these accidents.  A road safety audit can help identify problem areas on new or existing roadway structures.  The RSA is a formal assessment of new or existing roads and can be performed at any point in the construction phase.  They are typically performed by an independent team of 3 to 5 people and help uncover potential dangers in roadway construction.  They are an attempt to uncover all possible factors that contribute to vehicle crashes.  These could include areas where safety barriers, signage, traffic lights, turn lanes, impactable delineators, enhanced pavement markings, or any number of other elements should be installed to keep drivers safe.  Highway safety systems, such as retroreflective signage combined with barriers, can prevent run-off-the-road accidents in potentially dangerous areas.  For example, sections of roadways that encounter steep ravines, bridges, travel under overpasses or bridges are areas that may require enhancements.  Features known as rumble strips can be installed even after a roadway is finished, to alert drivers when they are about to leave the roadway.  Drivers may fall asleep behind the wheel, be intoxicated, or be distracted, and the objective for such systems is that the driver would be alerted prior to his/her vehicle leaving the roadway.  These types of systems are designed to minimize the impact of a vehicle encountering a solid surface and avoiding injuries or deaths as a result.  About one-third of all highway fatalities are caused by run-off-the-road accidents. Road Safety Audit teams can assess new or existing roads and adjacent structures to identify conditions which contribute to the potential for run-off-the-road accidents.  The teams can provide solutions to deficiencies in overall design and make recommendations for enhancements which result in safer roadways. News, 2011-08-11T15:56:29+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/highway_safety_equipment_work_zone_safety http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/highway_safety_equipment_work_zone_safety#When:15:43:52Z Over 600 fatalities occur every year in work zones around the nation, despite very successful efforts to minimize work zone safety hazards.  These are some of the most problematic areas of roadways, and accidents are often attributed to driver inattentiveness, excessive speed and lack of proper highway safety equipment.  Placement of the correct signs and barriers can be of great assistance in reducing fatalities and injuries in construction work zones.  Work zone safety starts with placing the proper equipment on roadways to warn drivers to slow down and be aware.  For instance, one-lane traffic zones that are not staffed by full-time workers must have temporary traffic signals erected to direct traffic flow.  Retroreflective signs in combination with safety devices can be installed to delineate work areas and protect workers.  Speed limit signs notifying drivers of appropriate speeds to be observed in a work zone have also helped to save lives.  The objective is to make a work area as visible as possible while informing drivers of their role in keeping workers safe.  On average, during the last half of the 1990’s, about 16% of fatalities in work zone crashes were pedestrians.  For the most part, those pedestrians were people working within the designated work space who subsequently became victims of traffic accidents.  Historically, speed is a factor in almost all work zone fatalities, an illustration that drivers simply drive too fast for conditions in the work zone.  Posting consequences for drivers who violate traffic construction zone rules has been shown to be effective in gaining driver compliance.  In some states drivers may receive a $7,500 fine and up to 15 years in prison for injuring or killing a road worker.  Hundreds of fatalities and thousands of accidents occur in work zones across the nation annually.  These are largely a result of inadequate signage and ineffective instruction for drivers entering work zones. Properly placed signage and specialized highway safety equipment help to both warn drivers of dangerous construction areas and to educate them on how to navigate those dangerous areas. News, 2011-08-11T15:43:52+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/2009_mutcd_requirements_for_traffic_sign_reflectivity http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/2009_mutcd_requirements_for_traffic_sign_reflectivity#When:15:35:06Z Cities, towns and other municipalities often have the best of intentions when starting new construction projects; however, guidance is often needed when deciding on appropriate  road signage.  The 2009 MUTCD, or Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, specifies certain requirements for traffic sign reflectivity in erecting or replacing road signs. Minimum Reflectivity Levels The 2009 MUTCD outlines minimum retroreflectivity levels for all roadway signs.  Minimum ratings vary based on the exact technique used to produce the sign.  For example, for beaded sheeting signs, white-on-green retroreflectivity levels must have greater than or equal to 7 units cd/m squared when mounted overhead.  For black-on-yellow or black-on-orange prismatic sheeting signs, retroreflectivity levels must be greater than or equal to 50 cd/lx/m squared for text, fine-symbol signs measuring 48 inches, and for all size ranges of bold symbol signs.  Assessment Methods As of January 22, 2008, the MUTCD contains new language for public agencies, officials or their designated contractors to follow in erecting street signs.  These standards are also carried over to 2009 MUTCD requirements.  In general, as long as an accepted assessment method is being used, it does not matter if some individual signs do not meet the standard requirements for retroreflectivity.  According to the new language, one or more of the following assessment methods should be used: • Visual night-time inspection, using procedures such as calibration or comparison panels • Measure traffic sign reflectivity with approved retroreflectometers • Assess the expected sign life of applicable materials in correlation with intended region • Blanket replacement • Using “control signs” to measure sign life Well-trained and knowledgeable professionals should be hired to determine the precise needs of agencies charged with replacing or upgrading local signage.  Strict guidelines are put in place as a result of the 2009 MUTCD revisions, which must be followed to ensure the safety of all road users. News, 2011-08-11T15:35:06+00:00