Parade-style A-frame barricades

The new parade-style, A-frame barricade system from Davidson Traffic Control Products offers temporary or long-term installations. The barricade is made from a durable, yet lightweight plastic that will not rot, rust, crack, or peel. The double-slotted frame will hold either one or two 2- by 8-inch panels in 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-foot lengths. The barricades are striped with 3M Scotchlite High Intensity Work Zone Sheeting to offer high performance reflectivity.

Concrete evaluating equipment

Impact-Echo Instruments, LLC has two basic models of pavement- testing equipment — impact-echo testing and wave speed measurement. Impact-echo equipment is ideal for rapid measurement of the thickness of concrete, locating voids, faults, rusted rebar, and unfilled tendon ducts in roadways, bridge decks, and tunnels. The principal components are hand-held transducer units, a set of spherical impactors, a high-speed analog-to-digital data acquisition system, a notebook computer, and a software system that guides and controls the tests and displays the results in graphical and numerical form.

Laser control system for dozers

Trimble’s new laser-based machine control system simultaneously controls lift and tilt of a dozer blade. The GCS400 delivers greater jobsite efficiency, easier operation, more consistent accuracy, and reduced costs. The unit provides contractors with plug-and-play flexibility, allowing them to use different laser and control components to best meet the needs of the job. The system can be used in two different elevation control modes — independent mode, which allows for independent control of lift and tilt; and linked mode, which ties lift and tilt together to allow the operator to maintain the blade parallel to the laser beam.

Safety lanyard

DBI/SALA has introduced a new lanyard designed for tieback use. The Wrapbax eliminates the need for anchor straps. The new hook and piston grip provide one-handed operation and 360-degree protection — 5,000 pounds in any direction to the worker.

Hinged highway barrier delineator

The new barrier delineator from Plastic Safety Systems, Inc. made of high-grade UV-stabilized plastic, has a hinge design that gives a full 90 degrees when impacted. The BAM is easy to install — it can be glued or butyl padded to barrier surfaces; has great flexibility; comes with reflective properties on one or both sides for either side or top mounting; and comes in amber, red, clear, or blue colors.

Vibratory plate compactors

Ingersoll-Rand’s new BX series of single-direction, vibratory plate compactors — BX-60WH, BX-80WH, and BX-120WH — offer user-friendly upgrades. The models feature a more compact vibratory plate compactor design that offers great maneuverability, flip-over handles that provide ease of operation and better compaction in confined areas, and a ratcheting throttle design for improved control around obstacles. The units come standard with a 50% larger removable water tank and are powered by a rugged 4-cycle engine at 3,600 rpm. All models are fitted with standard vibration-reducing padded grip guide handles that are fully adjustable for operator comfort and transport convenience.

The BX-60WH, has an operating weight of 150 pounds; overall dimensions of 37.4-inches long by 16.9-inches wide by 36-inches high; a 17-inch-wide by 22-inch-long plate; a centrifugal force of 3,400 pounds; a vibration frequency of 5,600 vpm; and a compaction depth to 12 inches. The BX-80WH (pictured) has an operating weight of 195 pounds; overall dimensions of 37.4-inches long by 19.7-inches wide by 36-inches high; a 20-inch-wide by 22-inch-long plate; a centrifugal force of 4,000 pounds; a vibration frequency of 5,600 vpm; and a compaction depth to 14 inches. The BX-120WH has an operating weight of 220 pounds; overall dimensions of 37.4-inches long by 21.7-inches wide by 36.6-inches high; a 22-inch-wide by 22-inch-long plate; a centrifugal force of 5,700 pounds; a vibration frequency of 5,600 vpm; and a compaction depth to 16.5 inches.

Safety harness

The Exofit harness from DBI/SALA is a single piece of X-shaped fabric that wraps around the wearer like a vest, allowing maximum mobility and comfort. The sub-assembly is constructed from AeroSpacer Dri-Lex, a high-tech, three-layered, moisture-wicking material used in the backpacking and footwear industries.

Tire and trackasphalt release

Franmar Chemical’s Bean-e-doo TireX, a tire and track releasing agent, makes it possible for paving companies to use tire and track machines without scarring or tracking freshly laid asphalt. The environmentally friendly, non-hazardous release is applied to tires and tracks, as well as workers’ shoes, by existing equipment or hand-held sprayers, and will not degrade rubber tires or pavement. During recent job site testing, the product continued to work for three hours with only one application.

Engine-powered plates and pumps

Wacker’s new engine-powered plates and pumps combine a new line of state-of-the-art 4-cycle engines and a two-year complete bumper-to-bumper warranty. The initial offering features Wacker’s top selling WP plate series and 2- and 3-inch PT trash pumps. The new WM engine in either a 6- or 9-horsepower configuration features advanced automotive technology, improved performance, longer life, quieter operation, and lower operating costs, at competitive prices.

Green concrete saw

Target’s new green concrete saw features an easy-to-use control system, an ergonomic design, and a vibration-resistant frame for reduced maintenance. The MG-10 offers a precision blade control system that allows the operator to preset the depth of cut quickly and easily. The patent-pending system includes a single lever to engage and disengage the blade to a predetermined position, providing an accurate cut every time. The saw is available with three gasoline-engine options — 5.5-, 6.0-, or 6.5-horsepower — and features a 10-inch maximum blade capacity and a cutting depth of up to 3 inches. The up-cut blade rotation keeps the cut clean. The saw features simple, yet rugged construction to minimize maintenance concerns.

No passing zone software

MasterMind Systems, Inc. has released its new StripeMaster 6 module for its Traffic Safety Suite software. StripeMaster is a Windows-based program for maintaining no passing zone logs. The module prints easy-to-read, professional-looking, graphical logs that can be printed in scales from 0.25 to 3 miles per page. These logs make for easy t-marking (indexing) of the road in preparation for striping.

Retro-reflective coating

NightCoatT Retro-Reflective Coating from American Polywater is a durable exterior coating that is highly visible at night when hit with a light source such as headlights. The coating returns incoming light toward its source, rather than diffusely scattering it. The liquid coating can be applied to complex contours and rough surfaces, and is more versatile and less expensive than adhesive-backed retro-reflective sheeting. Common uses are bridge abutments, signs, curbs, speed bumps, ramps, delineators, barricades, poles, traffic cones, clearance markers, guard rails, and numerous other road and traffic applications that are problematic for standard reflective sheeting.

Traffic data management solution

Exor Corporation and Chaparral Systems Corporation’s U.S. version of their traffic data management solution for traffic engineers and transportation departments is now available. The bundled solution combines Chaparral’s powerful TRADAS traffic data analysis engine with Exor’s Traffic Manager module and related Highways by Exor applications to provide commercial off-the-shelf traffic data management functionality. The combined package processes all types of traffic data collected from a wide range of detection devices; links traffic data to road network locations through advanced linear referencing; generates traffic count details, statistics, and summaries automatically; provides flexible reports to meet state and federal requirements; supports map-based management and viewing of traffic sections with integrated GIS; and supplies a centralized, date-stamped data archive for use in historical studies.

Type 1 and 2 barricade systems

The M-Cade Barricade System from Davidson Traffic Control Products meets the NCHRP 350 and MUTCD standards for Type 1 and 2 barricades. The barricades feature a unique bolt-free hinge that allows quick replacement in the field; a locking hinge that eliminates creep and sag; flexibility to convert to Type 1 or Type 2 using modular components; built-in molded light mount brackets; a modular construction that allows for quick repairs in the field; and the ability to fold and stack flat.

All-season, walk-behind broom

The new all-season, walk-behind broom from M-B Companies, Inc. can move snow, move gravel, move ground, backfill, clean uneven surfaces, prep for seal coating, prep for paint striping, and more. Features include a larger 25-inch brush for a higher bristle-tip speed; a differential unlock that allows the machine to turn on a dime; five forward speeds to adjust the walking speed to the job at hand; two reverse speeds for easier maneuverability; and a 185-rpm brush speed to do more, faster.

Two-piece post delineator

Carsonite International’s new FlexGuard post offers outstanding impact resistance and high visibility for daytime and nighttime roadway delineation and other marking applications. The post is designed to withstand repeated vehicle or tire impacts at speeds up to 55 miles per hour, in temperatures ranging from -20 to +120 degrees F. The product’s durable polymer construction resists damage from vandalism, as well as the effects of ozone hydrocarbons and UV light. The 18-inch, corrosion-resistant FlexGuard socket can be easily driven into dense soils, and no tools are needed to install the post in the socket or, if necessary, to replace the post.

Reprinted from the August 2003 issue of Better Roads Magazine