GB2149170A

GB2149170A - Traffic warning devices

Info

Publication number: GB2149170A
Application number: GB08328687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Kenneth Slade
Original assignee: Berger Traffic Markings Ltd
Current assignee: Berger Traffic Markings Ltd
Priority date: 1983-10-27
Filing date: 1983-10-27
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB8328687D0; GB2149170B

Abstract

A roadway has one or more traffic warning devices extending at least partly across the roadway. The devices generate noise as vehicles run over them to alert drivers of the vehicles that they are approaching a hazard. Each device comprises a strip (2) of resilient material, the strip having a projection (4) which is received in an opening in the roadway to retain the device in position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Traffic warning devices This invention relates to traffic warning devices.

Motorists areusually warned that they are approaching hazards by means of visual indications such as roadside warning signs, lights or markings on the road surface. These visual indications are often missed by the motorist, particularly at night or where his attention is distracted. The motorist may therefore often meet a hazard without any prior warning.

According to the present invention there is provided a roadway provided with a traffic warning device comprising a strip extending across at least part of the width of the roadway, the strip having a projection which is received in an opening in the roadway to retain the device in position on the roadway, the device being such that a noise audible to a vehicle driver is generated as the vehicle runs over the strip.

Preferably, in order to generate the noise, the strip projects above the surface of the roadway.

The projection may be disposed centrally between the lateral edges of the strip, and may comprise a rib extending the full length of the strip. The device may comprise a length of material of constant cross-section, in which case it may be formed by extrusion. The device may be made from resilient material, in which case it may be constructed so that the lateral edge regions of the strip are pressed, by the resilience of the material, into firm contact with the road suface, with regions of the strip disposed inwardly of the lateral edge regions remaining out of contact with the road surface.

The projection may be provided with formations for improving the grip between the projection and the opening in the roadway. Alternatively, or in addition, a bonding agent may be provided for securing the projection in the opening.

Preferably there are at least two of the devices disposed at intervals of, for example, 1 to 2 metres apart along the roadway ahead of a hazard such as a pedestrian crossing, a roundabout, a toll booth or a place where the road narrows. It will be appreciated that, in most cases, the device or devices need only be provided on that side of the roadway on which traffic will normally be travelling towards the hazard.

The present invention also provides a traffic warning device comprising a strip from which extends a projection for reception in an opening in a roadway to secure the device in position on the roadway, the device being such that, when in position on a roadway, a noise audible to a vehicle driver is generated as the vehicle runs over the strip.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of a traffic warning device: Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the device in position on a roadway.

The device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a strip 2 from which a projection 4 extends downwardly. The projection 4 is disposed midway between the edges of the strip 2.

The lateral edges of the strip 2 are defined by vertical faces 6 the upper ends of which are connected by oblique faces 8 to an upper horizontal face 1 0. On its underside, the strip 2 is provided at its lateral edge regions with horizontal faces 1 2. Channels 14 are provided between each face 1 2 and the projection 4.

The projection 4 is provided with a "firtree" cross-section. Although not shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the projection may terminate at shoulders 1 6 (see Fig. 3) disposed one on each side of the projection 3.

As shown in Fig. 2, the device is formed as a length of material of constant cross-section.

The device may be formed by extrusion of a resilient material such as pigmented (for example white or yellow) natural rubber or a suitable synthetic material. The material must, however, be sufficiently tough to withstand the effect of traffic passing over it. The device may be rendered wholly or partly reflective, for example by incorporating glass beads or similar elements in the material from which the device is made, or by affixing separate reflectors to the device in appropriate places.

To install the device in a roadway, a channel 1 8 (Fig. 3) is cut across the roadway. The appropriate length of material is cut from, for example, a continuous length of 25 metres, and the projection 4 is hammered into the channel 1 8. The ribs of the "fir-tree" crosssection of the projection 4 are compressed inwardly by the walls of the channel 1 8 to provide a firm friction fit in the channel 1 8.

For added security, a bonding agent such as a bitumen compound may be applied between the projection 4 and the channel 18.

The construction of the device is such that a noise is generated as the wheel of a vehicle passes over it. Thus, for an ordinary motor car, two separate noises will be generated, by the front and rear wheels respectively, as the motor car runs over the device. It is expected that three of the devices disposed one after the other at intervals of approximately q.5 metres will give sufficiently noticable audible warning of an approaching hazard in most cases. Where, for example, the devices are used to give audible advance warning of a pedestrian crossing, the devices would be provided on both sides of the pedestrian crossing although, on each side, the devices would be provided only on that side of the road along which vehicles would normaily travel when approaching the pedestrian crossing.

In the specific embodiment described above, the width of the device between the faces 6 is 100 mm and the height between the faces 12 and 10 is 12 mm. The height of each face 6 is 5 mm and the width of each face 1 2, the width of each channel 1 4 and the width of the projection 4 are 20 mm. For this dimension of the projection 4, the width of the channel 18 may be 1 2 mm. The depth of the projection 4 may be 28 mm.

Claims

1. A traffic warning device comprising a strip from which extends a projection for reception in an opening in a roadway to retain the device in position on the roadway, the device being such that, when in position on a roadway, a noise audible to a vehicle driver is generated as the vehicle runs over the strip.

2. A traffic warning device as claimed in claim 1, in which the projection is disposed substantially midway between the lateral edges of the strip.

3. A traffic warning device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the projection comprises a rib extending the full length of the strip.

4. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the projection is provided with formations for improving the grip of the projection in the opening in the roadway.

5. A traffic warning device as claimed in claim 4, in which the projection has a fir-tree configuration.

6. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the lateral edge regions of the strip have a lower face for contact with the road surface, regions of the strip disposed inwardly of the lateral edge regions having lower faces which, in use of the device, are spaced above the roadway.

7. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is made from resilient material.

8. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is made by extrusion.

9. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is made from a reflective material.

1 0. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the proceding claims, which is provided with reflectors.

11. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the maximum height of the strip is substantially 12mm.

1 2. A traffic warning device as claimed in any one of the proceding claims, in which the width of the strip is substantially 100mm.

1 3. A traffic warning device substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

1 4. A roadway provided with a traffic warning device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the device extending at least partly across the width of the roadway.

1 5. A roadway as claimed in claim 14. in which the device is one of at least two similar devices which are spaced apart at intervals of not less than 1 metre and not more than 2 metres.

16. A roadway as claimed in claim 14 or 15, in which lateral edge regions of the or each device are resiliently biased into contact with the surface of the roadway, regions disposed inwards of the lateral edge regions being spaced above the surface of the roadway.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. A traffic warning device comprising a strip from which extends a projection for reception in an opening in a roadway to retain the device in position on the roadway, the devide being such that, when in position on a roadway, impact noise audible to a vehicle driver is generated as the vehicle runs over the strip.