If you have a private car park associated with your business, or you are running an outside event or overseeing a construction site, you have a responsibility to control traffic to improve safety and limit access to restricted areas. There are a lot of different tools available to help you – here are some of our favourites, as well as some of the benefits of using them:
Barricades
Barricades are essentially portable, temporary fence panels – you see them a lot at outdoor events to provide traffic and pedestrian control alike. You can connect them up to each other to form longer runs, and they present a physical barrier impeding access. You can find options that are self-supporting or there are more common types that need a small concrete base for the feet to sit in.
Signage
Signs that clearly point out the expectations or risks associated with driving in the area are a great way of controlling traffic. You can use these to let people know that an area has increased amounts of heavy plant machinery moving in and out, or simply to tell drivers that they need to stick to certain areas, sides of the road or speed limitations.
Bollards
Bollards can be used to great effect to prevent access to certain areas. You can use temporary bollards (either hinged ones that fold flat to the ground or completely removable ones) to block off entire roadways, access points or even just individual parking spaces. More permanent versions are ideal for stopping traffic from (accidentally or maliciously) impacting buildings or overshooting parking spots and obstructing pedestrian walkways.
Access barriers
These can be used to excellent effect in restricting traffic – either entirely, in the case of swing arm barriers, or partly in the case of height restriction options. Combining a swing arm (or counterweight) car park access barrier with a locking mechanism or a manned security post should stop all unwanted vehicles from gaining access to your site, whereas the height restricting options can be deployed to stop vans, trucks or caravans.
Parking stops
These are rubber strips that you place at the end of your parking spaces. They let the driver know that their wheels are at the outer limit of the space, preventing them from parking across more than one space or overhanging onto walkways, without causing any damage to the vehicle.
Kerb and speed ramps
Kerb and speed ramps are used to either allow vehicles access up and down a kerb, or to control the speed at which vehicles move around your site. Speed ramps can be deployed anywhere around your private roads or car park, but are typically most effective at entrance and exit points as well as in longer roadways where drivers might be tempted to speed up.
Why should you use traffic control products?
The benefits of using these types of products include:
- Preventing trespassers/unwanted vehicles
- Stopping through-traffic
- Preventing over-filling of your parking area
- Safety for both drivers and pedestrians
- Increased security
- Better control over how people behave on your premises
Author Bio: First Mats started life as safety matting specialists, but have since expanded to become a complete industrial and commercial supplies company. The focus of First Mats is to provide safety-focused products that improve the wellbeing of staff through quality approved products, backed up by extensive knowledge. www.firstmats.co.uk
