Road construction has been steadily increasing across the United States over the last two decades. In fact, the nation’s spending on road repair and new construction increased by nearly $20 billion just over the last two years, and it’s expected to continue to climb during the years to come. Even then, construction crews aren’t likely to be able to keep up with the amount of wear and tear drivers place on existing roadways. That means they’re going to be under increasing pressure to meet all the expectations placed on them.
Making Safety a Top Priority
In many areas, crews are working around the clock to maintain existing roads and build new ones to keep up with public needs and handle the ever-growing flow of traffic. Their goals are to make roads safe for travellers and ensure traffic flows as efficiently as possible. On top of that, many crews deal with storm damage and other issues that take an added toll on America’s roadways.
Safety is certainly an issue for construction crews and traffic control specialists. Unfortunately, even though numerous strict safety regulations are in place, those crews are often forced to compromise their own safety to foster progress. At the same time, many crews simply don’t have all the safety equipment they need to keep themselves protected. Because of that, they have to turn to outside sources for the equipment they need for traffic control sacramento. Certain types of equipment are essential to keeping construction and traffic control crews safe.
Signage
Signage is considered one of the most crucial elements for traffic control. Signs serve numerous purposes, including everything from alerting drivers of upcoming roadwork to letting them know just how far they are from the construction site and what types of issues they can expect when they reach it. Those signs need to be bright, bold, and clearly visible and legible for maximum effectiveness.
Traffic Cones
Traffic cones are also vital. Several types of cones are used in roadwork from barrels to slender drop cones. Each one serves its purpose to mark construction zones and keep drivers on track. Stringent rules apply to how many traffic cones should be placed in work zones and how far apart they should be spaced. It’s important for crews to ensure they have enough of those cones on hand to fill the bill.
Crash Barricades
Despite crews’ best traffic control efforts, things don’t always work as planned. Distracted drivers are known to cause issues for work crews. They don’t pay attention to signs or cones. When they reach a construction site, drivers often have to brake and swerve at the last possible second to avoid collisions with other vehicles or roadwork equipment or hitting members of on-site work crews. Crash barricades can help reduce the impact those distracted or negligent drivers have on others in the work zone and keep damages and injuries at a minimum.
Keeping Everyone Safe on the Road
From routine maintenance to new construction, roadwork is an ongoing project that’s never truly finished. It can be an inconvenience for some drivers, but it’s essential to the safety and functionality of the nation’s roadways. Safety can be a problem in road construction sites, but having the right traffic control equipment on hand can make matters much less dangerous for drivers as well as construction crews.