Tom McKeown

Case Study: Sentinel Impact Tracker

By: Tom McKeown | December 3, 2024December 3, 2024 | News | 0

"Impact Detected!" This is an example of a selection of an email one receives when one of their Sentinel Impact Trackers has detected a possible impact from a vehicle.

TrafFix Devices Inc. has developed the Sentinel Impact Tracker to solve 2 specific issues facing Departments of Transportation, Road Operators, Turnpike Authorities, and Municipalities.

How do they know when their crash cushions and other fixed roadway devices have been struck by a car or truck?
How do they know the number of crash devices they have in the field, their type, where they are placed and geographic conditions?

Using the Sentinel’s various capabilities, users can solve these problems. The Sentinel Impact Tracker and its dashboard allows users to know where their devices are at all times and get immediate notification of an impact – all from a computer or mobile device.

Understanding the Differences Between Longitudinal Channelizing Devices and Positive Protection Barriers

By: Tom McKeown | October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 | News | 0

When it comes to maintaining safety on highways and construction zones, it’s crucial to select the right traffic control devices. Two common types of barriers are longitudinal channelizing devices (LCDs), such as the TrafFix Water-Wall™, and positive protection barriers, such as the TrafFix Water-Cable Barrier™. These devices are also commonly referred to as plastic Jersey Walls, plastic Jersey barriers and water jersey walls. While they may seem similar at first glance, these devices and barriers serve distinct functions and are used in different applications depending on the level of protection needed.

Key Features & Applications of Roll-Up Signs

By: Tom McKeown | October 9, 2024October 9, 2024 | News | 0

This week we return to our feature of Roll-up Signs with part 2 of our 3 part roll-up sign series. You can read part 1 of the series here.

Key Features of Roll-Up Signs

Portability

One of the main advantages of roll-up signs is their portability. Because they are made from flexible materials like vinyl or mesh, these signs can be easily rolled up and stored in compact spaces. This makes them ideal for work crews that need to move between locations quickly or for emergency response teams that require fast deployment.

Choosing the Right Roll Up Signs for Temporary Traffic Control

By: Tom McKeown | September 24, 2024October 9, 2024 | News | 0

When it comes to maintaining safety on roadways, especially during construction or emergency situations, effective communication with drivers is essential. One of the most versatile and widely used tools for temporary traffic control is the roll-up sign. These signs are designed for quick deployment, portability, and visibility, making them a vital part of any traffic management plan. Let’s explore the features, benefits, and specific uses of roll-up signs and why they are essential for roadway safety.

What Are Roll-Up Signs?

Roll-up signs are temporary traffic control signs made from flexible materials that can be rolled up for easy storage and transport. Unlike rigid signs, they are designed for quick installation and removal, making them ideal for short-term road work or emergency situations where immediate traffic management is required. They are typically mounted on collapsible sign stands and come in a variety of shapes, colors, and messages.

Signs can be Mesh, Non-Reflective Vinyl, or Reflective Vinyl – with varying levels of intensity.

Exploring Different Barricades and Their Uses on Roadways

By: Tom McKeown | September 19, 2024September 20, 2024 | News | 0

Road safety is critical, especially during construction, maintenance, or emergency situations. Barricades play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of workers, pedestrians, and drivers by guiding and controlling traffic effectively. TrafFix Devices, a leader in traffic safety products, offers a range of barricades tailored for different needs. Let’s explore the types of barricades and their specific uses on roadways.

The Run up to the Los Angeles Olympics

By: Tom McKeown | August 12, 2024August 20, 2024 | News | 0

As Olympic fever cools down, some eagle eyed viewers might have noticed the Block Axess heavy vehicle mitigation system deployed around the Olympic village to protect athletes and spectators alike. Event organizers are more wary than ever of “hazardous vehicle attacks” putting the lives of pedestrians at risk.

The Block Axess Hostile Vehicle Mitigation System protecting the perimeter of the Olympic Village at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games held in Paris, France.

This has caused cities, municipalities and private enterprise to seek vehicle mitigation devices. Hostile vehicle mitigation is an essential strategy in today’s world to counteract the increasing threat of vehicle attacks and negligent driving. Hostile vehicles, weaponized for targeting individuals, buildings, or crowded places, pose a significant risk. However, the implementation of Block Axess can fortify public spaces and vital infrastructure against such threats.

Are you Dense? HD and LD Drums

By: Tom McKeown | July 26, 2024August 23, 2024 | News | 0

In traffic control, channelizer drums play a critical role in guiding and protecting both motorists and construction crews. However, not all channelizer drums are created equal. Among the various types, high-density and low-density channelizer drums offer distinct features and benefits that cater to different needs and scenarios.

The main use case for both High Density Drums and Low Density Drums comes down to environmental factors. High Density Channelizer Drums (HDPE) will offer greater performance in areas with higher average temperatures – ensuring the structural integrity of the channelizer drum; whereas the Low Density will perform better in colder climates as it will become less brittle, preventing breakage on impact.

While many manufacturers claim to produce a low-density traffic drum, TrafFix Devices have engineered and tested our Low Density Channelizer Drum to be 100% LDPE.

Water-Wall Knowledge Base

By: Tom McKeown | July 17, 2024August 22, 2024 | News | 0

Two of the pillars of TrafFix Devices are exceptional engineering and superior customer service, upon these we build our business. The meeting point of these two pillars is the Knowledge Base.

Unlocking the Power of a Technical Knowledge Base

Having quick and reliable access to accurate technical information is crucial for any organization and is paramount to achieving cohesion between engineering technicalities and serving the customer. This is why we have now added one of our most popular products – the Water-Wall and other water filled barriers to the knowledge base.

Enhanced Customer Support

A well-maintained technical knowledge base is a valuable tool for customer support teams. It provides them with instant access to troubleshooting guides, FAQs, and product information, enabling us to assist our customers more effectively and efficiently.

Enviro-Cone: Engineered for All Weather Conditions

By: Tom McKeown | July 10, 2024August 22, 2024 | News | 0

Sustainable Products for a Better Environment - Enviro-Cone

In the world of traffic management and road safety, reliable and durable equipment is essential. The Enviro-Cone by TrafFix Devices stands out as a premier choice for traffic cones, thanks to its exceptional engineering and all-weather durability. This blog post explores the unique features of the Enviro-Cone, emphasizing its resilience and performance in diverse weather conditions.

The Challenge of All-Weather Performance

Traffic cones are vital tools for delineating lanes, guiding traffic, and ensuring safety in construction zones, accident sites, and other road scenarios. However, their effectiveness can be compromised by harsh weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, wind, and precipitation. The Enviro-Cone addresses these challenges head-on with its advanced design and materials.

The Importance of Crash Cushion Transition Pieces/Bridge Shoes

By: Tom McKeown | June 19, 2024August 21, 2024 | News | 0

In the quest for enhanced road safety, every component plays a critical role. Among these, crash cushion transition pieces are vital yet often overlooked elements that ensure the effective performance of crash cushion systems. This blog post delves into the significance, function, and benefits of crash cushion transition pieces, highlighting their essential role in creating safer road environments, shielding the fixed obstacle in reverse direction vehicle impacts.

Transitions by themselves are not specifically approved by state DOTs – it is incumbent on the manufacturer of the crash cushion to develop test and pass a transition piece between a fixed obstacle (i.e bridge abutment) to the crash cushion to prevent potential snag points.