Press

North America Traffic’s portable traffic signals allow workers to focus on productive tasks on construction sites

Port Colborne, ON

To reduce air pollution, Bermuda removed 30 maintenance vehicles from the road, challenging workers to complete their jobs with fewer resources. To free up workers responsible for traffic control, the government purchased portable traffic signals from Ontario-based manufacturer, North America Traffic.

Curtis Charles PE, construction and maintenance highways engineer, Government of Bermuda purchased ten traffic signals after searching for signals that met several requirements. Charles required that the devices had to be heavy enough to withstand high winds; have a small footprint to be positioned on very narrow roadways; be easy to set up; and be versatile for many types of work-zone applications.

The Telescopic Traffic Signal (Model TTS3.7), modified specifically for the Government of Bermuda, is two feet wide, weighs about 300 pounds and is ideal for narrow roadways and tropical trade wind conditions. The traffic light stands nine feet above the road surface and can be easily seen from a distance.

The traffic signal offers several features that make it easy to use on a variety of construction sites freeing workers to perform tasks other than traffic control. It is battery powered and can operate for a full week before recharging with the built-in charger. It uses a wireless radio communication link between units allowing for the operation of up to six traffic signals on one jobsite.

“I liked the idea that I can send six men out on maintenance work and all six do productive work,” says Charles. “The portable signals are far less expensive than having to use our productive workers to do traffic control.”

Micro-wave traffic sensors attached to each unit provide for efficient traffic flow especially during rush hours. The green time is extended for each vehicle detected to minimize traffic backups. The addition of a parking-lot-style gate-arm prevents motorists from entering the intersection during a red light.

Peter Vieveen, president of North America Traffic and Justin DiFrancesco, vice president at North America Traffic traveled to Bermuda to present a training session on set up and operation of the portable traffic signals on February 3, 2009. It took less than half a day to train 16 workers in setting the machines up and programming the controller for all possible work-zone applications.

“Our guys like how easy they are to set up and operate on a daily basis,” Charles concluded.

About North America Traffic

North America Traffic was launched as R.C. Flagman in 1993 when Peter Vieveen built the world’s first Remote Controlled Flagman™ out of his garage. At the time, Mr. Vieveen was a senior estimator in the construction industry with over 25 years of construction experience. He understood the importance of reducing costs while increasing safety. North America Traffic now operates a full production facility, and its products have been used on over 2,500 projects across North America. Today, it is the world leader in traffic control systems, with 8 different models of portable traffic signals and flagging systems to meet all traffic control needs. For more information, visit www.NorthAmericaTraffic.com.