Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

Road traffic accidents are expensive and often frightening, and now most drivers will have encountered an average 80km/hr speed limit on a fast moving road. Keeping both lanes of traffic separate is the key to traffic safety, but when a driver loses control of a vehicle, and heads for the other lane of oncoming traffic, there is the potential for a serious accident. Having a barrier system in place that can keep the traffic safely separated reduces the risks for everyone concerned.

According to Zehntner, the Swiss manufacturer of testing instruments, despite some initial costs, quality control quickly pays for itself, especially with budgets getting tighter. Its solutions include three models which can be used according to requirements. For example, its ZVR 6000 is primarily designed for the fast comparative assessment of the night visibility (RL) of road markings. However, says Zehntner, the ZVR 6000 can accomplish much more including the inspection of dry or wet road markings under

Heald says its Matador4 bollard was fully functional with zero penetration and dispersion after being struck by a 7,500kg truck travelling at 48mph during a recent crash test. The model, comprising two central moving bollards and based on the Matador3, gives a clear opening of just over 4metres. Surface mounted and only needing to be bolted into place, the Matador4 is said by Heald to be ideal for a variety of applications including temporary installations.

The UK’s road markings are said to be vanishing rapidly, according to a new survey by a leading highways organisation. A snapshot survey of nearly 500 miles by the Road Safety Markings Association (RMSA) revealed that well over half of white lines in Scotland and Wales are almost non-existent, and England’s fare little better. On average, the RSMA survey found that 50.6% of the UK’s surveyed road markings are barely visible. And almost a quarter (23%) of roads are classified as needing ‘emergency repairs’.

A live crash demonstration of the Highway Care (HC) manufactured BarrierGuard 800 portable steel safety barrier was staged recently at Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney, Australia. Organised by the Boylan Group, Highway Care International’s (HCI) partner, and Australia’s largest equipment hire company, Coates Hire, the event drew 200 Australian engineers, designers and road industry professionals and showcased technology already established throughout Europe.

Taiwan-based Apus Molds and Plastics (AMP) says it has developed a ‘novel’ poly carbonate barrier system. Made from PC and PP materials, the barrier is said to be long lasting and corrosion resistant, as well as being lightweight and quick to install. Impact performance is also said to be good as the material helps absorb shock.

Italian firm Marcegaglia has developed a new range of steel road safety barriers that is said to be versatile and cost effective. The units meet containment levels N2 to H4 and can be specified for different options in terms of working width levels (W). The line-up includes a dedicated system for motorcyclist protection designed to be fitted to all existing guardrails, a new P4 energy absorbing terminal system for barriers and a renewed range of steel New Jersey barriers, with optional integrated noise prot