GB2360056A

GB2360056A - Rapid fixing road modules

Info

Publication number: GB2360056A
Application number: GB0005519A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger John Verity
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-09
Filing date: 2000-03-09
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Also published as: GB0005519D0

Abstract

A modular road accessory has a preformed anchorage integrated with a prefabricated structure to allow rapid fixing of modifications onto existing road surfaces. The accessory has an anchor plate 3 at each end which fits into a trench formed adjacent a road. It can be fixed in place by a bolt and then the trench backfilled. The fixing can be used for speed humps, with restrictions and pedestrian islands.

Description

1 2360056 1 1 A rapid modular method of installing road accessories.

This invention relates to the installation of road traffic features to an existing road surface, using a method that allows for rapid installation with minimal traffic disturbance.

It is common place that road traffic routes need modification to existing highways in order to implement some additional safety feature or traffic control system. This often entails severe disruption as traffic is delayed or diverted whilst modifications are installed.

The problem with conventional methods is that the feature is often built on site with a minimum of prefabrication. This often involves the removal and modification of the existing road surface and as such entails long delays whilst site work is completed.

Recent trends introducing traffic calming methods are requiring the installation of speed humps, width restrictions and pedestrian islands to many existing roads, all of which entail time consuming and disruptive modifications.

The objective of this invention is to greatly reduce installation time from days to hours. It does this by using prefabrication methods to produce the required road feature and then by utilising a new fixing method to rapidly and permanently install the feature to the existing road. The method relies on minimal intrusion and work to the existing road surface.

The fixing method requires the excavation of strip trenches in the road surface on each side of the prefabricated structure, so that traffic load forces are balanced. A prefabricated structure comprising the whole, or sections of the, feature is dropped onto the road surface between the trenches, so that the anchorage plates sit in the base of the excavated trenches. The plates are fixed, if needed, with bolts into the sub-base of the road before the trench is backfilled with road surface material. In the case of islands or roundabouts a trench will be required around the perimeter of the feature.

The prefabricated structure can be made from a range of materials as suitid to the needs of the application.

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A preferred embodiment of the of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of the anchoring plate installed in the trench.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of same anchor plate.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the anchor arrangements suited to raised traffic features.

Figure 4 shows an example side view of the arrangement needed for installing a speed hump and clearly shows the two opposing anchors.

Legend for Fig.1, Fig.2, Fig.3 and Fig.4 1. Existing road surface 2. Excavated trench to install anchor plate 3. Anchor plate 4. Plate carrying prefabricated road furniture resting on existing road surface.

5. Reinforcing web (as needed to maintain rigidity of anchor to the prefabricated structure).

6. Anchor bolts (if needed) to lock structure into sub-base.

7. New surface infill, to anchor whole structure and integrate it with existing road surface.

8. Structure mounted to anchorage, as required, for prefabricated road feature.

9. Prefabricated structure for a speed hump.

3

Claims

1 A modular road accessory comprised of a preformed anchorage integrated with a prefabricated structure allows rapid fixing of modifications onto existing road surfaces

2. A prefabricated module as claimed in claim 1 can be permanently fitted with minimal intrusion into the road surface.

3. A prefabricated module as claimed in claim 2 lies directly on top of the existing road surface with a minimum of excavation.

The anchorage method as claimed in claim 1 can be applied to a wide range of prefabricated modules.

5. A modular road accessory as claimed in previous claims can be made from metal, plastics material, concrete, stone and brick, or from a combination of these materials.

6. The anchorage method and road surface base for a prefabricated modular road accessory substantially as herein described and illustrate d in the accompanying drawings.

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