Traffic is a part of the life of any settlement, which is difficult to organize correctly. This problem is partially solved with the help of signal posts. They take on the role of warning signs, which helps increase the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
What is a signal post
As mentioned above, any such device is primarily used to alert drivers (less often pedestrians) about difficult sections of the road. It is used mainly where there is no way to warn in another way or when standard road signs and / or markings may not be enough. According to statistics, the number of accidents in the presence of such warning equipment is significantly reduced (up to 1.5 times). Thus, any column of this type can potentially save a life.
Type C1
All warning signs of this format can be classified and divided into three main types. The signal column C1 is a product that can only be used once and is not suitable for re-use after a vehicle collides. It is made of reinforced concrete, wood, polymers, asbestos cement or plastic. The main feature of such a device is a monolithic building, which is obliged to collapse when a vehicle collides.
With plastic, asbestos-cement and polymer columns, everything is clear. They differ in not the most durable construction, and when the car hits them, they are easily destroyed. The situation with reinforced concrete structures is more complicated. According to GOST 50970, they must be made of concrete of a grade not lower than M400, which implies a sufficiently high strength. To solve this problem, at the junction with the surface, the structure is weakened (usually just a through hole is punched). Thanks to this approach, with a relatively strong impact, the column stops the car, but does not cause fatal damage, flying off relatively safely. Wooden structures need to be made from pine or any other wood similar to it (usually the binding goes to the region of location. That is, what grows there is used). The main thing is that the strength of the tree is not too high. If all the requirements are met, then upon impact, the machine will also be stopped, but passengers will not be seriously injured.
Signal reinforced concrete columns are not used too often, since they require quite serious efforts during installation. At the same time, they have a very high level of protection against external influences (water, sunlight, heat, frost, and so on), as a result of which it is precisely such devices that are best suited for remote regions. There is not such a busy movement so that accidents become too frequent (which involves replacing the posts). And, besides, it is in such places that it is extremely difficult to constantly service products, which simply forces the installation of SS signal posts (another name for reinforced concrete devices).
Type C2
The second type of traffic signal posts with the C2 mark can be used even after a collision with a vehicle, but they will have to be put back in place (unlike the next type, C3).
Structurally, they are a holding device and a housing mounted on it, made of a polymer material. Metal is usually used as the material for the fixative, but this is not an obligatory requirement. A special cartridge is installed at the top, which fastens the case using a bayonet connection.
Features:
- The cartridge must be recessed into the surface and in no case protrude from it.
- The case should be easy enough to remove and put on.
- Any other system can be used as a mount if they can provide the same characteristics as the bayonet mount.
Type C3
Signal posts C3 belong to another common type of road warning signs, and unlike all other analogues, they must not only “experience” the collision of equipment, but also independently restore their shape after that. This feature can be implemented in three different ways:
- Spring at the base.
- Flexible material in place of attachment of the housing and restraint.
- The use of flexible materials of the body itself, able to take its original shape.
It should be borne in mind that it cannot be too soft. So, when cleaning the product or replacing reflective elements, the shape of the column must remain unchanged. As a rule, such devices are either painted white or produced immediately from white polymer materials. Marking must be on top. For its application, particularly resistant paints are used that can retain their properties even under the most adverse weather conditions. Thanks to this, the columns can go without maintenance for a long time.
Technical requirements
Plastic signal posts must be produced in strict accordance with GOST. Simply put, there are certain technical requirements that they must meet:
- In cross section, the column body must be triangular, rectangular or round. Small deviations are allowed if they do not change the appearance of the product too much, its strength and do not interfere with marking.
- Above should be a cross section with an inclination angle of 30 degrees.
- If the product is hollow, it must be equipped with a plug that completely covers the hole.
- Deformation of the column (types C2 and C3) a day after the collision should not be more than 5%.
- Any product must withstand for three days (72 hours) exposure to water at a temperature of about 20-30 degrees.
- The column should respond normally to seasonal changes in weather and sunlight. Usually this requirement varies depending on the region of installation. Where there is a lot of sunshine and the climate is relatively calm, the priority will be precisely protection from ultraviolet radiation and vice versa.
In some cases, other requirements may arise, but they should not list those already listed above.
Markup
A signal column without special marks cannot effectively perform its functions. That is why vertical marking (black bars) is applied to its surface (to that part of it that is turned to a moving vehicle). Light reflecting surfaces, which are especially effective in the dark, are also recorded there. If the column is made with a bevel in the upper part, then the marking is performed in the form of a black strip, applied with an inclination at exactly the same angle as the bevel. Its width should be from 150 to 250 millimeters.
- The beginning of the strip should be at a distance of 15 centimeters from the top edge.
- If the column does not have a bevel, then markings in the form of a black strip placed strictly horizontally and having a width of 10 centimeters are used.
The location of the retro-reflective elements also depends on the presence or absence of a bevel:
- If there is a bevel, then the reflector should be installed right in the center of the strip.
- If there is no bevel, count 10 centimeters from the top of the column and only then mount the reflector.
- If round light-reflecting elements of type KD2 are used, then they must be placed under each other with an interval of 8 centimeters.
Installation of signal posts
When placing these devices along the roadway, their marking should be taken into account. It is necessary to install the signal posts strictly on that side to the road where the light-reflecting elements and strip are located. In addition, the height of the column above the ground should be between 75-80 centimeters. In the event that their installation implies the need to dig part of the column into the surface, the depth should be about 70 centimeters, with the exception of cases with anchors. Then you can get by with 50 centimeters. If the road is straight and the products are planned to be located on both sides, then the marking should be taken into account, setting them symmetrically to each other. The last element: from the road to the location of the pillar should be about 1 meter.
Other posts
Devices made of materials not specified above are practically not found. In some cities, you can find pure stone signal posts. True, most often they play a more decorative role than they really warn about something (although this does not detract from their weight and effectiveness). Another common option are metal products. They are actively used in parking lots, when fencing a specific territory and so on. However, due to the rather high cost on the roads, especially far from settlements, they are not used.
Conclusion
Signal posts are very important road marking elements that increase traffic safety. All varieties are convenient in their own way to use, however, each of the types is more focused on a specific application. It is better to use C1 on highways, along C2 along city roads, but in some of the most dangerous points that are constantly monitored and accidents often occur, it is C3 that is best suited. The rules for the production and installation of such devices are not too complicated, but they should be followed.