Highway Delineators: A Simple Solution for Improving Road Construction Safety

Every day, men and women are hard at work building and repairing our roads so that they are safer and provide people with more ways to get around. We owe it to those workers to make their work environment as safe as possible so they can do their job without worrying about their well-being.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has identified techniques and equipment that have been proven to increase safety on the road, not only for workers but also for the thousands of daily drivers. One such piece of equipment is a plastic barricade known as a delineator.

How Traffic Delineators Improve Road Safety

Delineators are guidance devices that improve driver safety, and thus the safety of road workers, by calling attention to temporary and permanent changes in road conditions such as:

• When a roadway narrows
• When lane reductions occur
• On curves and sharp turns

Delineators are also used during adverse weather and at night when visibility is reduced. They remain
visible even during snowfall and when roads are wet.
These retro-reflective devices are used in a series to indicate the alignment of the road, and there are different spacing requirements based on circumstances for which the delineators are being used.

Crashworthy Requirements of Delineators

Flexible delineators that are used on the road should be tested and certified to meet the crashworthy requirements of NCHRP-350 – the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. This certification is a requirement for all projects conducted on the National Highway System.

Retro-reflective Element Requirements

In addition to meeting crashworthy requirements, delineators also need to meet specific requirements in regards to their reflective features. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has determined that:

• Delineator reflectors should reflect light from a distance of at least 1,000 feet when illuminated by high beam headlights.
• Delineator reflector dimensions should be at least 3 inches.

Types of Traffic Delineator Equipment

There are a variety of highway delineators on the market today in an array of shapes, sizes and colors. Some are very simply bright orange stands while others include additional features to enhance safety. Traffic delineators require a weighted rubber base to secure them in a standing position. The rubber base has a hole in its center, allowing it to be slid over the top and to the ground where it rests on the delineator flange in order to support it.

Looper-Tube Post Delineators

A looper-tube post delineator provides a number of functional and safety advantages. These delineators have a loop style handle at the top of the post, which can be used to thread caution tape or chain through to better section off an area. The loop also makes handling and situating the post easier.

T-Post Delineators

This type of delineator is identifiable by the t-shaped handle on top. The unique shape makes it easier to carry and these delineators usually have a hole in the t-top that can be used to thread caution tape or a chain through.

About the Author:
Pro Traffic Supply sells traffic safety devices, including all types of delineators, through their website, www.protrafficsupply.com. The products featured on their website are in stock, priced competitively, and all delineators meet the crashworthy requirements of NCHRP-350, acknowledged by WSDOT. Pro Traffic Supply delineators are available in heights of 28” and taller, and are proudly made in the USA with quality, care, and attention to detail.