How Traffic Management Technologies Can Improve Road Safety
From dense urban areas to rural paths and motorways, road safety is always the number one priority when it comes to roadworks and traffic management. Thankfully, technology is helping to transform the sector, with smart traffic management reducing congestion, providing greater insight, and improving the safety of road users, pedestrians, and workers.
There is a wide range of advanced traffic management options available, and in this latest article, we look at some of the most popular products and the advantages of smart traffic management systems.
What are the types of traffic management systems used to improve road safety?
Being able to effectively manage the flow of traffic is one of the most important strategies for improving road safety and helping to reduce congestion. There are three primary strategies for controlling the flow of traffic:
- Portable Traffic Lights
Portable traffic lights are a fantastic addition to any temporary roadworks site or event. They are a very flexible and efficient solution, allowing these zones to quickly manage the passing of traffic. Unlike permanent solutions, these smart traffic lights can be set up on a variety of different surfaces and provide exceptional insight into how vehicles are using the roads.
Alongside helping to reduce congestion by removing bottlenecks, smart traffic lights also help to minimise the risk of an accident by allowing safe crossing points for pedestrians. To find out How do traffic lights work?, We have created a simple guide.
- CCTV Camera Traffic Trailers
When it comes to the evolution of traffic management, CCTV camera traffic trailers have helped transform the sector and drastically improve road safety. These advanced traffic management solutions can be strategically placed in high-traffic areas, allowing users to monitor traffic patterns and identify any potential safety hazards.
These systems constantly monitor traffic and allow users to respond promptly to accidents or congestion, reducing the impact. The real-time data collected by these cameras can also help identify patterns of traffic over time, creating more effective traffic management solutions and road safety initiatives.
- Road Safety Barriers
Finally, the third vital element of any advanced traffic management plan is the use of road safety barriers. These physical barriers are placed alongside the edge of roadworks and are designed to protect drivers, pedestrians, and road workers. Commonly used in construction zones and high-speed areas, they act as a protective shield that slows down errant vehicles and prevents them from veering off the road or entering restricted areas.
There is a wide range of road safety barriers available, with each one designed to provide a different level of protection depending on the speed and frequency of passing vehicles. Alongside acting as a protective barrier, these solutions also help to guide the flow of traffic and maintain order. We deep dive into the Importance of barriers for Road Safety and the different types of road safety barriers in another article.
Benefits of integrating advanced traffic management systems
Integrating smart traffic management solutions into your roadworks project or event plan can transform the safety of all workers, passers-by, and road users. The benefits and advantages that these items can provide are numerous, including:
- Improved road safety
The biggest advantage that comes from including smart technology in your next project is that it significantly improves overall road safety. These products are able to use real-time data to monitor and control the flow of traffic, reducing speed when needed or even re-routing drivers if required. This minimises the risk of an accident, keeping drivers, workers, and pedestrians safe.
Technologies such as CCTV camera traffic trailers not only provide real-time monitoring, but they also offer fantastic insight into patterns of behaviour. This insight can then be used to make effective changes for future projects. Read more about Why you should have a Portable CCTV Camera Trailer for Road Traffic and Construction Site Monitoring?
Road safety barriers are equally as important, helping to provide a physical solution to separate cars and workers while also slowing errant vehicles down.
- Reduced traffic congestion
Another major advantage of advanced traffic management systems is that they can help to minimise congestion. Smart traffic cameras are able to monitor and optimise traffic flow, reducing delays and helping to keep vehicles moving.
Smart solutions such as adaptive traffic signals are able to adjust signal timings based on traffic patterns, enhancing the flow of traffic further by reducing waiting times at key intersections. Deploying these portable traffic lights into high-traffic areas may help to prevent bottlenecks and streamline operations.
- Environmental benefits
Of course, it’s not just about the safety and efficiency of your site. Advanced traffic management solutions can also help to make your project more sustainable. When you are able to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother flow of traffic throughout the site, you will significantly lower emissions produced by idling vehicles. Effective traffic management can also reduce fuel consumption, leading to a smaller carbon footprint from each car that passes through.
- Cost savings
Smart traffic management can also be a cost-effective solution for your next roadworks project. Minimising accidents and congestion can help to reduce delays on your construction or roadworks project, ensuring that it remains on time and on budget.
