How much do you want to slow down traffic?
One of the core ideas of traffic control is that slowing down vehicles can reduce the risk of accidents. What this does is mean drivers will be travelling at speeds where they will be able to stop sooner if necessary. It can offer protection against things like pedestrians stepping out and sudden braking. Speeds bumps can be really useful here and are great for use in various settings, from public roads to industrial and commercial locations.
Slowing down
The thing to keep in mind here is there are lots of different options for speed bumps. There are full road designs like the classic sleeping policeman. Or, there are designs such as speed humps, cushions or tables. It is important to select the right one for each setting, keeping in mind how much you want to slow traffic. It is also vital to consider safety and maintenance.
As a rough guide, a 50mm speed bump will generally require drivers to immediately slow down to around 10mph. If they drive over them at a faster speed, it can cause a very uncomfortable ride and even damage vehicles. Increasing the height of the bump to 75mm can mean drivers need to slow down to 5mph.
Speed humps, cushions, and tables generally don't require drivers to slow down as much. Instead, they try to offer an easier, slower deceleration. Usually vehicles will need to slow down to 15-20mph to safely drive up on to them.
Which to use?
Generally the higher 75mm speed bumps are best for commercial and industrial settings. It is important to ensure that large vehicles like lorries slow down sufficiently so they can stop quickly if necessary. Even at 15-20mph the weight of the vehicle can mean it takes several hundred metres to stop. This means there is still a high risk of an accident. The stopping distance of travelling at just 5mph is much smaller and therefore safer.
The speed humps, cushions and tables are more common in city and town environments. Here they help to slow traffic without such abrupt deceleration. The gentle rise and fall is also much better for emergency vehicles and buses or coaches. Plus, these styles are better for locations with a high amount of traffic, such as residential roads.
Ordering high quality traffic control products
At Barrier Mart we specialise in site safety. We understand that every client has specific needs. This is because each site is unique and the type of traffic and frequency of use can vary widely. To account for this, we offer a very wide selection of products. This includes different types of barrier, various sizes of speed bump, and much more.
If that wasn't enough reason to work with us, we also offer excellent prices and installation. That means each client can get quality products to suit their budget and have us install them properly.
So, if you want to improve traffic control to maximise safety, contact us. We can suggest products to suit your needs, whether you have a busy car park or a warehouse.