http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/ en info@impactrecovery.com Copyright 2012 2012-04-30T15:38:15+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/traffic_safety_equipment_sign_screening_technologies http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/traffic_safety_equipment_sign_screening_technologies#When:15:38:15Z The MUTCD, or Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, has a strict set of regulations that act as standards for how signage on America’s roadways is tested before and during its life cycle.  These sign screening technologies help keep traffic safety equipment in prime operating conditions. Retroreflectivity is a key component in the construction of virtually all roadway signs.  This refers to how a sign reflects light both at night and during the day.  As with any other surface coating, retroreflectivity breaks down over time and must be tested and properly maintained in order to maximize its lifespan.  There are two basic methods that agencies can employ to maintain retroreflectivity at or above MUTCD-required levels.  Agencies can use either an assessment method or a management method to ensure the signage is adequate.  Within the category of assessment methods, a qualified inspector can use comparison panel testing, consistent parameters procedures, or calibration signs procedure.  These procedures all involve comparing a variable sign with a control sign that has acceptable retroreflectivity levels.  The type and age of the sign or signs being tested will determine which procedure is used.  In contrast, the measured retroreflectivity procedure requires the use of a reflectometer, and compares the variable sign to acceptable levels for that particular type and age of sign.   Alternately, agencies may choose to use a management method.  Management methods are based on factors such as sign service life, sheeting warranties, and other known factors of a group of signs.  These methods do not involve field inspectors assessing individual signs.  According to the MUTCD, agencies may choose either a management method, assessment method or some combination of the two.   Measurement and maintenance of signage is a very important aspect of roadway safety.  Traffic safety equipment and safety products are depended on every day to keep us safe on America’s roadways.  Trained professionals use sophisticated procedures and equipment to determine if signs are still visible enough to keep drivers safe. News, 2012-04-30T15:38:15+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/first_responder_road_safety http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/first_responder_road_safety#When:14:26:40Z A loss of power or traffic accident can compromise the safety of surrounding roadways.  Traffic lights, street lights, and other forms of electronic traffic control perform an important job, but are often taken for granted until they are no longer functioning.  First responders play a crucial role in road safety by placing portable stop signs at intersections in the event of a power outage or crash.  This is yet another area where traffic safety products are effective.  Temporary and portable stop signs can easily be transported to a location and deployed quickly.  The rule of thumb is that when a traffic light is out, it becomes a four-way stop.  Many drivers, however, simply do not adhere to these rules or may fail to even notice that a light is out.  Clearly-marked, quickly-deployed signage at intersections is critical for saving lives and minimizing traffic disruption. Sometimes power outages are not the problem—accidents are.  Collisions that occur at intersections can damage infrastructures used to power traffic lights and other traffic control devices.  Service personnel such as police officers, firefighters or first responders can be prepared with portable signage in the event of an accident or other incident that disrupts power to a single light or an entire intersection.  Traffic safety products that perform these functions are typically lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to transport.  New technology makes traffic safety products more durable and effective.  Signs that are manufactured today have features like anti-twist technology and impact-resistant materials.  Signs made of steel and wood that are impacted at an intersection typically do not survive and must be discarded.  Impact-resistant models, however, can continue to be used and may incur minimal damage.  Power outages and accidents are an unfortunate reality, and are sometimes unavoidable.  Circumstances that can be prevented are further accidents and loss of life at intersections that have lost power or are partially obstructed by an accident scene.  Portable stop signs with technologically advanced construction help first responders to save lives.  Durable construction enables agencies to maintain their stock of portable traffic safety products for longer periods of time without needing replacement. News, 2012-04-30T14:26:40+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/2009_mutcd_regulations_for_private_parking_lot_safety http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/2009_mutcd_regulations_for_private_parking_lot_safety#When:14:12:17Z The federal government has a compelling interest in keeping drivers safe.  These interests are outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  The 2009 MUTCD outlines standards for devices like signs, flexible delineators, markings and other traffic elements.  These standards apply to many areas of both public and private roadways; however, there are some gray areas where language in the manual is not so clear.  Does the 2009 MUTCD Apply to Private Parking Lots? Private lots are often used for public purposes.  A business may be privately owned and be erected on private property, making parking amenities also privately owned.  Places such as malls, shopping centers, movie theatres, and similar establishments all have private parking lots.  These entities have the right to determine who can be in their lot and who cannot.  Some of these lots are vast and even connect public roadways.  Drivers may even feel that they are still on a publicly-maintained roadway because of the uniform application of signage and street markings.  While all of this might lead you to believe the MUTCD should govern these areas, in order to enhance parking lot safety, the language is not so clear.  The 2009 MUTCD as interpreted by the Federal Highway Administration states that private lots are not subject to standards outlined in the manual.  This means that signage, markings, delineators, and other traffic control devices do not have to legally conform to 2009 MUTCD standards.  These changes were adopted in December of 2009 and they also apply to public parking lots and structures. However, Intro P3 C of the MUTCD states, “Parking areas, including the driving aisles within those parking areas, that are either publicly or privately owned shall not be considered to be ‘open to public travel’ for purposes of MUTCD applicability.” If the 2009 MUTCD requirements did apply to private parking lots and structures, certain regulations would have to be followed.  For example, delineators are commonly used as guidance devices more than as warning devices.  Any time there is a change in horizontal alignment on a roadway, a delineator must be used.  This would apply to private parking lots and garages as well if the 2009 manual so warranted.  Dimensions and application of retroreflective elements on delineators would also apply.    The extensive standards for traffic control devices in regards to parking lot safety do not currently apply to privately owned and operated parking areas according to the 2009 MUTCD.  However, in the future, feasible standards may be developed that allow for consistent regulation of private parking lots. News, 2012-04-30T14:12:17+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/history_types_and_uses_of_traffic_delineator_posts http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/history_types_and_uses_of_traffic_delineator_posts#When:13:57:06Z Delineator posts have been developed over time into light weight, versatile and highly visible traffic safety products.  Many different variations exist and there are equally as many applications for these durable reflective devices.  Initial traffic safety products were often made of wood and metal, making them cumbersome and expensive, with limited applications. These were one-use-only products.  More lightweight and advanced materials were still experiencing design flaws that made them bulky and obtrusive.  As vehicular technology advanced, leading to higher speeds and traffic volumes, a need emerged for more accurate routing and channelization. Today’s posts are made of durable polymers and plastics, in which some designs can withstand up to and beyond 50 impacts.  Retro-reflective adhesives are applied to make these posts highly visible in both day- and nighttime driving conditions. Additionally, the use of these materials makes modern delineators far more cost effective- based on life cycle costs, than their older counterparts.  Delineator posts come with a variety of base, color, sheeting and height options.  Impact Recovery Systems offers their delineator posts with a variety of base options: fixed, quick release, magnetic, as well as other options. Colors play a large role in communicating with drivers and pedestrians.  For example, shades such as orange warn of construction areas, whereas white or yellow are used for delineation and roadway guidance. A variety of height options can also be employed whether industry specific or a custom height is needed. Common uses for posts include channelization of traffic in work zones, as warning indicators to restrict turns or to identify changes in road alignment. Now that road-construction has become a highly sophisticated science, the devices used in keeping roadway users safe has adapted appropriately.  They are versatile, durable, and best of all, cost-effective to install and maintain. News, 2012-04-30T13:57:06+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/bad_weather_wont_stop_troop_350 http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/bad_weather_wont_stop_troop_350#When:14:16:30Z This past November, Impact Recovery Systems partnered with Gerald Doherty- leader of Boy Scout Troop 350 in Belleville, NJ to undertake a project that would benefit the city of Belleville, a local charity, as well as the boys of troop 350. As many know, winters in New Jersey can be harsh.  Heavy snows blanket roads, and power outages leave city streets without the electricity needed to operate street lamps and traffic signals.  During these events, roadway travel can become stressful and in some cases, even dangerous. Recognizing the city’s need for increased roadway safety during power outages, Gerald Doherty launched Troop 350’s Emergency Preparedness Service Project.  He contacted Impact Recovery Systems in the effort to supply the city with some temporary signage systems. Troop 350- Belleville, NJ; Gerald Doherty- Troop Leader Together, Doherty and Impact Recovery Systems devised a plan for this project that would give the Boy Scout troop the opportunity to help both the city and a local charity. The plan would be to supply the city’s police department with eight temporary stop signs with portable bases. These signs, manufactured by Impact Recovery Systems, were constructed of durable polymers and utilized high quality reflective sheeting that would offer high visibility even during low light conditions. These signs are impactable, so that if they are struck by a vehicle, they will quickly return to their original position.  Ease of transportation and deployment in just seconds make these signs perfect for the Belleville Police department. Highly visible and impactable temporary stop signs, manufactured by Impact Recovery Systems. In order to obtain the eight signs for the city, the troop would first have to raise the necessary funds equal to the cost of the signs.  However, the money raised would not go to Impact Recovery Systems.  Instead, the money would be donated to Belleville’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  In return for the troop’s hard work raising the funds, Impact Recovery Systems would then supply the signs needed for the police department. For the next few weeks, the troops worked diligently selling first aid kits in order to raise the money needed for the CERT donation.  Shortly after Christmas, the eight signs were shipped to Troop 350, where they were assembled in preparation for the presentation to the police department. Troop members selling first aid kits to raise money For the stop signs. Shortly after receiving the signs, Troop 350 presented the donation check to the CERT team, as well as the eight signs to the Belleville police department. Both CERT and the police department were highly appreciative of the hard work of Troop 350, as well as the generosity of Impact Recovery Systems. Troop 350 working together to assemble the stop signs received from Impact Recovery Systems Troop 350 working together to assemble the stop signs received from Impact Recovery Systems Presentation of the check to CERT, as well as the stop signs to the Belleville police department. (Pictured: Troop 350 members, CERT team &  police Capt. Vic Mesce) Since that time, the eight sign have proved to be a great asset to the city. The Belleville police department already has plans to purchase more signs for future use. News, 2012-04-26T14:16:30+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/highway_safety_improvement_program http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/highway_safety_improvement_program#When:18:42:34Z The government has a compelling interest in making our roads safer for travel.  Every year, millions of deaths and injuries occur on America’s roadways, many of which are preventable.  On August 10, 2005, the Highway Safety Improvement Program went into effect.  This aid-based initiative provides resources to help in lowering the fatality and injury rate that has plagued the interstate highway system since its inception.  The Strategic Highway Safety Plan or SHSP A key component of the Highway Safety Improvement Program is the SHSP, or Strategic Highway Safety Plan.  It is a data-driven plan, intended to be compiled over a five year period.  It involves participation from entities all over the state and focuses on lowering the rate at which people are injured and killed on highways.  This safety improvement plan is unique in that it incorporates the four E’s: education, engineering, enforcement and EMS (emergency medical services).  This seems simple, but it employs the use of agencies across a broad spectrum of professions.  Marketing initiatives are undertaken by state and local agencies in schools and across communities.  Engineers study existing roads to devise new ways to make them safer.  Law enforcement does its part to enforce the rules already on the books and emergency services perform damage control.  The overall plan and underlying theory is for those involved to establish goals based on data and then implement strategies to achieve those goals.  Data is Key An important aspect of developing the SHSP is the data needed to draw conclusions.  States must implement a crash data system that allows for analysis and safety issue identification.  Data is crucial to the very existence and subsequent success of a safety improvement plan.  This quantitative approach helps professionals identify areas that are consistently unsafe from isolated crash areas of a roadway.  Data can be gathered from a variety of sources such as DOT workers and administrators, research, law enforcement, medical records, and input from EMS providers, among other sources.      Although deaths and injuries have been a common fixture of our roadways for some time, well-developed plans continue to lower these statistics.  Entities from all over a state, such as police, EMS, engineers, and educational institutions, can put forth an effort to make our roads safer to travel.      News, 2012-04-03T18:42:34+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/improving_crosswalk_safety_with_pedestrian_area_signs http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/improving_crosswalk_safety_with_pedestrian_area_signs#When:18:36:04Z According to a recent USA Today article, a pedestrian is killed at a crosswalk every 110 minutes and one is injured every 9 minutes.  Needless to say, these numbers are unnerving.  Many cities and local governments may be surprised to know that crosswalk safety could be drastically improved with the placement of simple and cost-effective pedestrian area signage.  The Solestrian® Difference Motorists are less likely to stop at intersections that are not controlled by stop lights.  Of course, erecting a stop light and running it day in and day out costs cities hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. Solestrian illuminated messaging signs provide the perfect solution for poorly lit intersections or those without traffic lights.  These signs feature fully customizable front and side panels to alert both drivers and pedestrians to local laws or ordinances concerning pedestrian rights at crosswalks and intersections.  They are easy to install and far less costly than installing and running a full time blinking traffic light.  These solar traffic signs durable blow-molded construction and an anti-twist spring system helps prevent damage to the sign when it is struck by a vehicle.    Protection from Omni-Ped® Sometimes even the best designed and well lit intersections are not enough to keep pedestrians safe.  Omni-Ped from Impact Recovery Systems provides added warning for drivers at intersections.  This non-illuminated pedestrian sign is also fully customizable and offers high conspicuity.  Both the Omni-Ped and Solestrian models alert pedestrians to vehicular traffic that they may not be aware of.  They also have an impact-resistant anti-twist design that reorients the sign toward traffic after impact.  As an added benefit and assurance of quality, both of these devices were winners of the ATSSA (American Traffic Safety Services Association) 2010 innovation award.  Intersections, especially those with crosswalks, are some of the most deadly pedestrian areas.  Every year thousands of vulnerable road users lose their lives in traffic accidents.  Impact Recovery Systems seeks to reduce these numbers by developing cost effective and innovative products to enhance crosswalk safety.       News, 2012-04-03T18:36:04+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/low_cost_high_yield_traffic_safety_equipment http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/low_cost_high_yield_traffic_safety_equipment#When:18:16:08Z According to AAA, traffic accidents cost the country over $1,000 PER PERSON every year in terms of medical care, EMS and law enforcement services, diminished productivity, and property damage.  While individual motorists have little control over these numbers, entities that make decisions about road safety do.  Traffic safety equipment presents low-cost solutions to help minimize the cost drivers are paying on an annual basis due to unsafe roadways.  Roughly 43,000 people die on roads around the country annually.  While some of these deaths are isolated incidents that could not have been prevented, many could have been.  Having proper signage, channelization equipment, crash barriers and other devices erected in appropriate areas can help reduce driver fatality rates.  High visibility traffic control devices are a fraction of the cost to states and municipalities as are the annual costs of traffic accidents.  Preparing a roadway for safe travel saves everyone time, money, and ultimately, lives.     Addressing these huge numbers means that states must increase their efforts for safety planning and implementation.  While increases in manpower through law enforcement, EMS and educational efforts will help the overall issue, these solutions are incredibly expensive.  Traffic control devices can be acquired and implemented at a much lower cost and with a much higher return than other methods.  This is especially true when comparing the cost to that of lives lost or health care rendered.  When a traffic accident occurs, there are few people left untouched by its impact.  Insurance rates go up, city services that could have been used elsewhere are taxed and delays in productivity ripple throughout society.  Traffic accidents cost Americans over $160 billion every year in damage, services and lost productivity.  Low-cost traffic safety products are a cost-effective solution to reducing the number of accidents that occur on America’s roadways.  Increased service personnel, such as police and EMS workers, are also a great solution; however, they can be incredibly costly.  Traffic safety products deliver a high return on investment as well as peace of mind.    News, 2012-03-12T18:16:08+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/how_do_reflective_glass_beads_work http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/how_do_reflective_glass_beads_work#When:18:01:43Z Traffic safety products have reached an advanced state of construction throughout the country.  Roads, signs, lines, paint and other elements of the road appear simple enough; however, advanced technological processes allow for roads to be built better and safer than ever before.  Reflective glass beads are a common application in roadway safety devices and the actual construction of roads.  Road Studs and Reflectors Glass is one of the most highly refractive materials, and can be molded into a variety of shapes depending on the intended application.  Devices used in road safety environments need to refract light so that they can be seen by drivers more easily.  Road studs, for example, are used to mark dangerous areas where there are steep drop-offs, no shoulders, or other hazards that drivers should be warned of.  Glass can be applied to these devices to refract light much more intensely than most reflective paints or laminate materials.  Many states across the country have also made reflective glass beads a standard design feature of almost every roadway sign.  In certain states, such as Ohio, these beads line every character of every street sign lining interstate roads.  Technology Glass granules and beads have revolutionized the road safety industry in unique ways.  Not only do the beads have obvious applications on road signs, granules can be mixed with asphalt to create a greater visibility effect at night.  Beads applied to signs are far more durable to elements such as extreme changes in temperature and direct sunlight.  A beaded, domed shape refracts light far more than flat refractive surfaces especially in nighttime driving scenarios.  Glass can also be manufactured in a variety of colors for different sign applications.  They can also be made in traditional clear versions to enhance the established color of a sign that has already been erected.  Innovative technological processes have allowed companies to manufacture some of the most highly visible roadway products in history.  Reflective glass beads and other glass products are playing an integral role in improving driver safety across America’s roadways.  They are used in signage as well as road construction materials and help increase visibility at night. News, 2012-03-12T18:01:43+00:00 http://www.impactrecovery.com/resources/developing_highway_safety_plans http://www.impactrecovery.com/ resources/developing_highway_safety_plans#When:15:07:57Z Transportation is the backbone of our capitalist economy.  Every year billions of dollars of food, consumer goods, and other products are shipped across our nation’s roadways.  Millions of people also take to the highways annually for travel-related purposes.  The FHWA, or Federal Highway Administration, was developed to make sure that these activities take place safely and efficiently.  Although the administration is a federal entity, many initiatives have been undertaken to focus on roads at the state level.  The FHWA partners with states in the aggregation of crash data in order to develop clearer highway safety plans of action to improve the safety and usability of the nation’s roadways.  State Assessments Individual states around the country must apply to have an assessment process started on applicable roadways.  The state data capabilities assessment is a snapshot of where a state currently stands on its data collection objectives.  In today’s safety planning world, data is crucial to make sound decisions about road design, safety, construction and disaster planning.  The federal highway administration plays an integral role in assessing a state’s data collection activities because every state is different in terms of their geographic location.  Another element of the assessment is determining where state governments would like to be in their data collection processes.  The administration acts as a fresh set of eyes to identify clear goals for states and then determine what efforts will be needed to reach those goals in terms of highway safety plans. Ancillary programs There are a variety of other programs that fall under the realm of the Federal Highway administration’s charge to help develop roadway safety at the state level.  For instance, the model inventory of roadway elements, or MIRE, is a program that provides states with information on the approved standard for traffic control and safety devices such as signage, barriers, markers and other products.  States have access to information about what works best, as well as which products are most cost effective and provide the greatest return on investment-in terms of lower crash and fatality numbers.  Another valuable program is the CDIP, or Crash Data Improvement Program, which gives states the ability to measure the quality of the crash data in their possession.  Without quality data, accurate decisions cannot be made.  The federal highway system has been and still is a vital part of the American economy.  Highway safety plans are perhaps just as important as the roads themselves, because if people and businesses cannot use our country’s roads safely, their value is diminished.  The FHWA has developed far-reaching and comprehensive programs to change the face of roadway safety at the state level.  When many hands work on safety, states can be assured that high fatality and crash numbers will someday become a thing of the past. News, 2012-03-12T15:07:57+00:00