Traffic Control Devices – An introduction

There are traffic control devices that are used by traffic control companies for regulating the traffic on roads and bring out a sense of awareness among pedestrians and vehicle users about road safety rules. These traffic control devices come in different shapes and patterns that can be placed anywhere on the road to make them easily visible for road users. 

Traffic control devices are used to alert for danger, to inform about route diversions, to announce directions, and so forth. Here, we will let you know the concept of using these devices, their types, and purposes so you can better step out on roads. 

Some of the traffic control devices are commonly used on roads today are discussed below –

Traffic Signs

Traffic signs are commonly used to control road traffic and for three main other purposes, such as, to regulate traffic, to warn users about something or to pass on general information. 

In case of regulatory signs, they help road users to understand the prevailing traffic laws and regulations. And warning signs are used to let the public understand about danger-prone areas so they will be able to take another route. General information signs are designed to provide directions to users who are unsure of their destinations. 

Traffic Signals

Most of the junctions at the road are covered with traffic signals to regulate traffic while ensuring smooth movement of vehicles or pedestrians on the road. 

Signals like red, yellow and green are used to stop vehicles, get ready and move along the road, respectively. Other signals are also used for pedestrians at these junctions which let people cross the road when the path is clear. 

Markings on road surfaces

These markings are designed in bright and hugely-visible colors and in the form of drawings, objects or reflector units to highlight important, prohibited, or danger areas on the road that help users to move around accordingly. 

All of these markings work together to improve road safety awareness among the users and to reduce the number of accidents that are almost happening daily. Markings on the road are being designed in a way that is easily visible during the night hours too, therefore help drivers to regulate their driving. 

Creating traffic islands

 The traffic police in the case of making traffic islands ask a particular locality to join hands in creating separate lanes or divisions during peak hours or festival times, this might help in traffic not to get clogged at one place for a couple of hours. Dividing a broad highway into two or three lanes with clear demarcating indicators will create a separate path for pedestrians at different stations. 

Traffic control companies in Sydney are using all these measures altogether to regulate traffic to a certain extent as well as help to avoiding accidents to some extent.