Each year, our roads become busier and more congested. As a driver, it takes longer to get to your destination due to traffic and as a pedestrian, it becomes a lot harder to cross roads with ease. Accidents are more prevalent, which is why there is a demand more than ever for warning signals, signs and traffic management to help keep everyone safe. However, do you really know what these, especially the traffic signals are?
Traffic signals offer maximum control to any road intersections. These relay messages of both what you must do and what not to do as a driver. The primary function of the traffic signals as we know is to assign the right of way to the contradicting movements of traffic in an intersection. This is actually done by allowing the conflicting traffic streams to share the same intersection by way of separating the time. Furthermore, the signals provide an orderly movement of the conflicting flows by means of assigning the right of way alternately to various movements of the traffic. However, it may interrupt extremely heavy flows to allow the crossing of some minor movements which otherwise, could not move safely into the intersection.
When they are properly timed, traffic signals may increase the traffic handling capacity in an intersection. Additionally, when installed under a justified condition of its use, the signal is very valuable in improving the efficiency and safety of both the vehicular traffic and the pedestrian. Traffic signals may also help in reducing various types of accidents.
Advantages of Traffic Signals
Traffic signals help in controlling pedestrian and vehicle traffic by means of assigning the priorities to some traffic movements to stimulate the flow of traffic. A properly designed, maintained, and located traffic signals may have one or more of the following advantages:
– It interrupts the heavy traffic at intersections to allow other vehicles or pedestrians to cross it.
– It helps in providing a continuous movement of traffic at a certain speed in a given route or way.
– It helps in reducing the severity and frequency of various types of accidents or crashes, most especially the right-angle collision.
– It increases the traffic handling capacity of a certain intersection.
– It makes the movement of traffic in a certain intersection in order.
Disadvantages of Traffic Signals
Of course, as with everything, there are disadvantages too. Traffic signals are not really a solution to all problems in road intersections. Furthermore, an unwarranted signal can also adversely affect the safety and the efficiency of the traffic. This is by means of causing any of the following disadvantages of traffic signals:
– There is an increase in the use of less-adequate streets to avoid the traffic signals.
– There are some drivers that disobey the signals.
– There is an increase in traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and air pollution.
– There is an excessive delay because of the time allocated in the traffic signals.
Traffic signals are almost everywhere. They are proven to be effective in areas where traffic flow is heavy, as well as off road use, such as Loading Bays and Site Entrances for example where a Stop / Go signal is required.
The colours Red/Amber/Green are the most standard form of visual signalling and most people can recognize and relate to each colour. Rather importantly, the position of each colour is vital. Red should always be at the top, Amber middle and Green bottom. This is because in some cases, a person may be colour-blind and so will not be able to recognize the colour, but will know from the position of the light what it signals.
At D.G Controls we offer a range of various LED Indicator Panels, Traffic Lights and Multi-Head Indicators that can help with traffic safety.
For further information on our product range, please see the link below: http://beaconlamps.com/products/traffic-management-signals/traffic-lights & http://beaconlamps.com/products/traffic-management-signals/led-status-signals.