Traffic Control Tips for Private Roads and Local Areas
Traffic road management can turn out to be a challenging task to master, as there are several traffic control signs and road regulations that need to be followed, when it comes to private roads, there are additional issues that need to be considered, along with the new set of traffic road regulations that need to be implemented. For better road and traffic management at your facility, you should take into account the information listed in this article. It is designed to educate you about private roads and traffic control signs, along with how to implement them in the best way to manage traffic around a business, school or local area.
What is traffic road management?
Traffic road management refers to creating a dynamic balance between pedestrian needs and network capacity, with a focus on the required manoeuvrable space for a specific vehicle. Traffic management represents a field of logistics that tackles the requirements of planning and controlling traffic from one location to another. And the most critical part of it is establishing a safe way to accommodate traffic with the sole purpose of diminishing the risk of accidents.
As a general rule, wide roads with high-speed arterials are not recommended for pedestrians, as they are hard to manage and dangerous. Instead, private roads linked to commercial areas, tree-lined streets or pleasantly designed landscapes are preferred, as they create a safe and welcoming area for walking. You should still take into account that not all pedestrians move at the same pace, which signifies mobility as a vital factor in any traffic or road management plan. View our list of traffic management related products.
Traffic management methods
Traffic management methods for private roads require attention to details, along with several considerations:
- System control methods;
- Traffic signs visibility;
- Road safety;
- Pedestrian safety and pedestrian zones delimitations.
For private roads, the traffic management methods revolves around creating a clear delimitation between the traffic area and the pedestrian area. This can be achieved with either road markings or bollard posts. Of course, visibly installing traffic signs that regulate access is an excellent solution for properly managing traffic on a private road.
It is best to consider the services of an expert traffic management team, in this way you will make sure you follow existing traffic regulations, and comply with safety requirements. Besides, a plan is requested by legislation, whether it affects traffic on public or private roads, parking areas, or restricted zones. And, of course, there are some details you should consider prior to implementing a traffic management plan, including:
- Adding to your traffic management plan details about safety features for traffic during work on roads;
- Adding a traffic guidance scheme for hazard assessment and pedestrian safety assessment;
- Adding detailed information concerning the traffic rule applications in the area, and how they will be respected;
- Adding in-depth details about the bicycle, pedestrian and vehicle traffic delimitation in the area;
- Adding clear descriptions about the community facility signs present on your private road.
Importance of traffic rules
Traffic rules and regulations are created to offer guidance concerning the safest way to use roads for both vehicles and pedestrians. Simply put: traffic rules are meant to prevent drivers from causing accidents or hitting pedestrians. Also, such rules aid in controlling the flow of traffic, so that it becomes more efficient.
At the same time, pedestrians need to follow and acknowledge traffic rules, too. Walking only in the designated areas can prevent unnecessary accidents. Also, crossing the street only at the marked areas ensures road safety for all traffic participants.
This is why private roads need to implement the best traffic control options available. Using traffic control signs and devices can make the roads safer, especially when it is the case of a private setup.
Injury prevention
Road traffic injuries represent the leading cause of unintentional injuries, which lead to the most significant proportion of deaths. Still, almost all road traffic deaths or severe injuries on private roads can be prevented with the implementation of safety features. Even though there is no standard approach to this, injury prevention on private roads can be achieved as it follows:
- Lowering the risk exposure by bettering land-use planning practices. This means you should focus on your road management plan in creating a specific area for distinct types of traffic, including vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
- Preventing crash-related events in commercial or private roads with the help of safety measures such as traffic bollards. Bollards are great for absorbing vehicle impact, while they can shield pedestrians from a potentially threatening situation.
- Using traffic control signs and road markings in accordance with the law.
Bicycle Facilities and warnings signs
As cyclists are quite frequent nowadays, the need for bicycle facilities and warning signs is more than necessary. Such signs should not be positioned closer than 0.6 times the speed of approaching vehicles, as they need to be correctly observed.
Using traffic control devices like bicycle warning signs can improve traffic awareness, prevent accidents, and create a safer environment for everyone using the road. The bicycle warning sign can be used concomitantly with a supplementary distance plate in order to increase awareness of the dual purpose of the road. The goal is to inform all traffic participants that the road on which they travel can be used by cyclists, too.
Pedestrian Control and Protection signs
Besides the bicycle facilities and warning signs that need to be taken into account, walkthroughs for pedestrians and cyclists are extremely important, especially when it is in the case of a private road. Such aids can be installed in areas with notable amounts of pedestrian traffic or cyclists, and are meant to offer safe crossing of the road.
Keep in mind that pedestrian control regulations might require the usage of a refuge. Refuges for both pedestrians and cyclists separate them from moving vehicles while offering a safe space in the middle of the road. It is quite useful for those that move around slowly, as they can safely wait on the refuge to pass the road.
Protection signs for pedestrians need to be used only in areas with crossing points. They need to be visible for the driver and are not to be covered by any environmental factor, such as trees. On a private road you should have pedestrian warning signs, pedestrian/bicycle warning signs, or children warning signs depending on the location of the walkthrough.
Community Facility Signs
Community facility signs are meant to increase traffic safety on private roads, as they reveal a simple and powerful message related to the local community’s safety warnings. Keep in mind that council approval is necessary prior to installing such signs.
Also, community facility signs can be used only on the side of the road, and must not interfere with other traffic signs. It is essential to not impede the clear view of pedestrian or bicycle signs with community facility signs, as it can prevent the vehicle driver from acknowledging the existence of distinct traffic participants in the area.
Road Maintenance warnings
There are several traffic control devices meant to identify work undergoing on a specific road. Temporary safety barriers, multi-message signs, temporary speed humps at work signs, or various signals are all to be used in case of road work or maintenance.
Traffic road management can be quite challenging if you are new to this. But rest assured that we are here to help you create the safest environment for all traffic participants on your road. At the Bollard shop, we can assess your needs, create a personalized project, and offer in-depth information about specific traffic signs and devices that need to be used for your individual situation.
For better road and traffic management at your facility, you should focus on complying with all road safety regulations stated by law. Having a clear depiction on site of all traffic signs, along with road markings and specific safety features will only boost safety in the area, and prevent unnecessary traffic accidents. For the best traffic management plan, you should contact our experts to create a secure environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.