Arrow Boards vs. Traffic Cones: Why Use Arrow Boards for Traffic Control

From construction sites and roadworks to events, road safety is always a critical factor and effective traffic control is at its core. When it comes to managing closures, redirections, and warning other road users, traffic cones and arrow boards are vital pieces of equipment, no matter the project.

In this latest blog, we take a closer look at the roles traffic safety cones and arrow boards play in helping to keep your site safe.

Understanding the Basics of Arrow Boards and Traffic Cones

Regardless of your work project or event, if it involves roads and traffic management, then arrow boards and traffic cones are essential. Some people believe that these two products are interchangeable; however, they do have distinctly different roles.

What is an Arrow Board?

Arrow boards are a form of electronic signage used to direct traffic during roadworks, lane closures, events and other traffic management situations. Featuring bright LED lights, they are able to provide clear guidance to drivers, especially in situations where they need to change lanes, detour from the usual route, or merge into a single lane.

Capable of being updated in real-time, these pieces of equipment can transform road safety and are visible from long distances, allowing drivers to react and adjust accordingly. RPM Hire have two primary types of arrow boards available. The first are lightweight portable options that are ideal for short-term projects, while the second are durable trailer-mounted arrow signs which are ideal for roadworks or high-traffic areas.

What is a Traffic Cone?

Traffic cones are utilised around the world and are a very simple and effective form of traffic management. Made from a brightly coloured and highly durable plastic, they often feature reflective strips for enhanced visibility in low light. Thanks to being portable and lightweight, they are very easy to set up and rearrange, acting as a physical marker for lane closures, work zones and road hazards.

Traffic cones are often used in low-speed environments, such as urban streets, car parks, or residential roads where driver reaction time is less critical. However, while they are flexible and quick to deploy, they do have some limitations compared to arrow boards. The primary reason is that they are not able to provide clear information beyond indicating that a certain section of the road is off-limits.

What Are the Benefits of Arrow Boards for Traffic Control on High-Speed Roads?

High-speed roads pose a number of challenges when it comes to traffic management and safety. Being able to convey essential information quickly and clearly is crucial to ensuring drivers can react accordingly. Arrow boards are highly beneficial in these situations for a number of reasons:

• Increase visibility
  Thanks to using bright LED lights, arrow boards can be seen from long distances well ahead of time. These lights also ensure that they can be seen in poor weather conditions or at night.

• Clear communication
  Arrow boards also provide explicit instructions such as lane closures, detours, or lane merging. This helps to minimise confusion for road users, reducing the risk of sudden manoeuvres and accidents.

• Response time
  On high-speed roads, drivers need to make decisions quickly. Arrow boards help facilitate this by clearly showing when lane movements or detours are required. This allows drivers to adjust safely and smoothly, reducing the risk of accidents.

What Are the Benefits of Traffic Safety Cones In Low-Speed Areas?

In contrast to the high-speed efficiency of arrow boards, traffic safety cones excel in low-speed areas. These kinds of roads do not require the same level of immediate response or directional communication provided by arrow boards.

There are a number of advantages of using traffic safety cones in low-speed areas, including:

• Deployment
  A major advantage of traffic cones is that they are incredibly lightweight and easy to move. This means they are ideal for situations that require flexibility, such as short-term roadworks, minor detours or parking control.

• Cost-effective
  A traffic cone is also a relatively inexpensive product, which means it is a very cost-effective method of managing traffic in low-speed environments.

• Physical barrier
  Traffic safety cones are able to provide a visible and physical barrier that clearly indicates where drivers should not go. They are also perfect for marking off hazards such as potholes, minor roadworks or creating a safe working area for maintenance crews.

• Versatile
  Just like arrow boards, traffic cones are also very versatile and can be used across a wide range of situations and roads.

Using Arrow Boards with Traffic Cones for Effective Traffic Management

While both arrow boards and traffic cones serve different purposes, they can be utilised together to create a comprehensive traffic management system. For example, during a lane closure on a road, traffic cones can be used to mark the closed lane and create a clear physical barrier that drivers need to avoid. However, these aren’t necessarily visible from a longer distance, so arrow boards will be able to alert drivers well in advance, creating a smooth and safer flow of traffic.

Arrow boards are also able to solve the limitations of traffic cones. Cones can be easily moved by unauthorised people, making them less reliable in situations when clear lane demarcation is essential. Traffic safety cones also lack the ability to convey detailed information, such as what actions drivers should take. Arrow boards fill this gap by providing high-visibility directional details.

In Need Of Arrow Boards?

If you are looking for high-quality traffic safety arrow boards, then RPM Hire is here to help you. We specialise in providing high-quality road safety equipment for hire, ensuring you can keep your worksite, employees, and other road users safe.

Want to find out more about our range and how we can help you? Get in touch today, and our team will be happy to help!