Historically, many different tools have existed when it comes to channeling traffic: everything from oversized signs and lighting to temporary structures to having actual physical people standing giving directions in the middle of a road help modulates the flow of traffic.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over two million people are injured a year in car accidents, and 32,000 become fatal. You have a responsibility to find a better way. Guide traffic and create a safe transportation flow for drivers when construction is underway. Use delineator posts. If you are working with the Department of Transportation on roadway projects, or if you find yourself managing and controlling traffic in the private sector, you owe it to yourself to invest in a tool that can give you peace of mind. Specifically, one that is not cost-prohibitive or cutting corners that will sacrifice usability.
We’re sure you’ve seen them before, but in this article, we will go into comprehensive detail about the benefits and usage of delineator posts, and why you should be incorporating them into your next project.
What Are Delineator Posts?
In essence, a delineator post is a traffic marker. More specifically, it is a traffic marker that, when mounted properly, takes on the appearance of a plastic pole sticking out of the ground. Delineator posts are modular tools. They can help section off certain roadways or expanses of asphalt. They can act as dividers for lanes on the road and help control the flow of traffic all at once. They are not a permanent installation into a roadway, giving you the ultimate freedom and flexibility to utilize them in the most efficient manner possible.
Above all else, they are an extremely cost-effective solution to managing your next project where a traffic flow needs to be controlled.
It’s a given that you’ve probably noticed delineator posts before, most likely in a road construction environment. Whether it’s re-plotting lane markers on a busy suburban street or helping to block off an electric project located underneath the street, there are currently thousands - if not millions - of delineators currently deployed through the world as you read this. But their usage is not limited to roadside construction and improvement projects.
You can find delineator posts almost anywhere, not just on construction projects. Delineators can also be used for seasonal or pop-up events like job fairs, flea markets, and farmer’s markets to mark temporary parking lots. You can also find them marking temporary bicycle lanes on the side of busy downtown streets in urban settings. They can be deployed as temporary crosswalks at bustling intersections and even as easy-to-install valet drop-off areas for popular restaurants and nightclubs.
Their inherent flexibility is one of the most appealing aspects. Delineator posts are used for a variety of events and locations in both the public and private sectors.
Now that you know what delineator posts are and how they can be utilized, we’re going to go through exactly why delineators are such invaluable tools. As you’ll soon find out, they contain four unique traits that make them the ultimate tool for traffic flow projects.
First and foremost, the posts themselves are extremely durable, as they are constructed from a specifically-formulated urethane composite material. The very nature of delineator posts takes into account the fact that they will be hit over and over again. And that’s okay - due to their tensile strength of 4300 PSI and their impressive fatigue strength, they won’t crack or break over time. They have been specifically designed to take hits and last because you can never underestimate human error.
Anything that is designed to help corral traffic of any kind needs to be visible at all times of day and night, and delineators are no exception. Their bright composite material and reflective markings mean that they will always remain visible - even in turbulent weather such as snowstorms and heavy rain. When installed, you can be assured that their visibility will never be compromised.
When it comes to construction areas (or even a farmer’s market parking lot), it’s crucial for pedestrians and motorists alike to not only feel safe but to be safe. These posts are extremely beneficial for any location where the flow of traffic might be confusing or unclear to people. In the end, delineator posts help guide around everything from accidents to crosswalks to construction zones - and everywhere in between.