Traffic Group Signals, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of portable and temporary traffic signal products, has launched the innovative Metro Haul Route Crossing System.

Currently available for hire, the Metro is the only wireless, temporary traffic signal range that complies with haul route permit conditions and has been designed to combat safety issues which arise due to the high-speed nature of the roads affected.

At 11ft 2ins (3.4m) high, these signals include a high visibility, immoveable base unit and full height signal pole with reflective band and support for up to three signal heads. The leading technology provides contractors with the safest crossing solution for the haul routes on their site.

As with temporary roads, haul routes are difficult to plan for with many issues that require careful consideration. With a wide range of vehicles, materials and people using them on a daily basis during construction projects, crossings that involve busy arterial roads are a particular area of safety concern.

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With the use of manual signals at haul route crossings reducing, there is an increasing reliance on temporary traffic signals. One of the obstacles with this type of signalling is that they are not normally designed specifically for haul routes. Standard portable traffic signals are about 7ft 5ins (2.3m) and are not permitted under the Type Approval regime due to limited visibility with construction vehicles.

Will Credicott, Marketing Manager at Traffic Group Signals, said: “There are a wide range of safety concerns on haul routes that require stringent standards, so we have developed the Metro Haul Route Crossing system to specifically address these issues and meet the needs of contractors.

“Our unique system is battery powered and uses the latest radio communications so it can be deployed quickly and decommissioned without any complex infrastructure. As the system is completely cable-free its installation and subsequent removal at the end of the job minimises disruption to road users compared with traditional methods. This new innovation in temporary traffic signalling systems is already making a hugely positive impact where it has been installed and we envisage this technology becoming the top choice for contractors across the UK in the foreseeable future.”

The temporary signal LED traffic employs a full-sized LED traffic signal head fitted with the high-tech AGD306 radar and/or the LED pedestrian signal with a low-power AGD WAIT indicator and optional Radix tactile indicator. The system can accommodate multiple signal head configurations and it is easy to make precise adjustments to enhance visibility.

The Metro can be programmed for nine vehicle phases and eight pedestrian crossings and can also combine with up to 34 Metro traffic signals to form a complete, temporary traffic control system.

There are a host of other features that are specific to the requirements of haul routes:

• A dedicated crossing mode
• Signals rest at green on the public highway when there is little traffic, to minimise the impact on busy arterial routes
• The hold-off period limits how often the crossing will be serviced, which enables the needs of haul route traffic to be balanced against those of the public highway
• Time of Arrival (ToA) technology, which identifies fast-approaching vehicles and avoids signalling vehicles in the ‘dilemma zone’ to red
• Active channel management continuously monitors all radio channels to ensure the system uses the clearest available channel to maintain strong communication between signal units
• Remote management means the crossing is monitored at all times by TMdesk. Remote activation and part-time operation is also possible with TMdesk Pro. This allows highways authorities and main contractors to work together on the site and produce an audit trail
• The Signal Studio enables contractors to design their haul route crossings and locate signals onto a site map or TM plan and simulate them on a PC
• Once a scheme has been tested and approved, the scheme tool produces a deployment Data Pack, which includes all necessary information to prepare and commission the signal configuration.

(Picture – Traffic Group Signals)