Road barriers and barricades are a critical part of road safety and traffic management. They help prevent accidents, direct traffic, and ensure drivers, construction workers, and pedestrians are safe. With a variety of traffic barriers available, it’s essential to understand the different types, their features, their specific purposes, and situations where they would be needed.
We will explore the nine most common types of road barriers and barricades, their materials and features, and their uses. By understanding each type of road barrier, you can make informed decisions about the most effective and appropriate traffic management and safety measures for your projects or situations.
#1. Type I Barricades
These foldable single-paneled barricades (also known as “waffle-board barriers”) are used for lane closures and are usually made of plastic with reflective sheeting to enhance visibility. Type I barricades are most commonly utilized in construction zones, and for blocking off pedestrian sidewalks or walkways.
Common Uses:
- Blocking off pedestrian sidewalks/walkways
Materials and Features:
- Single reflective top panel
- Plastic, wood, galvanized legs
- Foldable
- Lightweight
#2. Type II Barricades
The Type II barricade is taller and wider than the Type I barricades, which makes them more visible. They are most frequently used for road closures or for indicating detours and use two reflective panels on both sides.
Common Uses:
- Road closures
- Detours
Materials and Features:
- Double reflective rails/panels
- Plastic, wood, galvanized legs
- Foldable
- Lightweight
#3. Type III Barricades
The Type III barricade uses three reflective rails, which improves its sturdiness and wind resistance. It’s utilized for long-term projects (although it can be used for short-term projects as well) where a more permanent barrier is needed. They are significantly larger than the Type I and Type II barricades and are ideal for road closures, detours, and directing traffic.
Common Uses:
- Long-term/short-term projects
- Road closures
- Detours
Materials and Features:
- Triple reflective rails/panels
- Plastic, wood
- Galvanized steel footers, square tube, and angle iron
#4. Jersey Barriers
Jersey Barriers are modular concrete or plastic barriers. They are commonly used on highways and interstates to separate lanes of traffic or to prevent vehicles from entering restricted areas, and reduce vehicle damage in the event of accidental contact.
Common Uses:
- Long-term/short-term projects
- Permanent barriers
- Lane traffic separation
- Minimize vehicle damage in the event of accidental contact
- Prevent out-of-control vehicle crossovers
Materials and Features:
- Concrete (reinforced with steel) or plastic
- Modular
#5. Water-Filled/Sand-Filled Barriers
Water-Filled or Sand-Filled Barriers are plastic barriers filled with water or sand. They are lightweight, which makes them easy to move and use for temporary traffic or crowd control.
Common Uses:
- Traffic control
- Crowd control
Materials and Features:
- Plastic
- Modular
- Can be filled with water or sand
#6. Steel Barriers
These steel-made barriers are excellent for event traffic or crowd control and keep vehicles from entering restricted areas. They are an easy-to-move option and are perfect for temporary or short-term work zones.
Common Uses:
- Crowd control
- Fencing off restricted areas
- Partitioning
- Temporary projects
Materials and Features:
- Steel-made
- Linkable
#7. Billboard Barriers
Billboard Barriers are a plastic pedestrian barricade, designed to generate revenue by placing advertisements (often the company’s logo or product) on its flat sides. These barriers are most often used at stores, stadiums, or event locations and can be customized in a variety of colors.
Common Uses:
- Placing advertisements
- Used for store or event locations
- Crowd control
Materials and Features:
- Made of plastic
- UV resistant
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up and link together
- Allows for ads to be placed
#8. Bollards
These vertical posts are commonly used as a permanent barrier to protect buildings, sidewalks, or other important structures from vehicle impact. They can also be used to create barriers for pedestrian or vehicle access control.
Common Uses:
- Permanent barrier to protect buildings and sidewalks
- Pedestrian and vehicle access control
Materials and Features:
- Made of steel or cast iron
- Can be covered with a plastic Bollard cover
#9. Traffic Cones
While technically not a road barricade, traffic cones are useful for directing traffic or marking off areas. They are also lightweight and easy to move, which makes them ideal for temporary traffic control.
Common Uses:
- Temporary traffic control
- Marking off areas
- Redirecting traffic
Materials and Features:
- Plastic and rubber
- Lightweight and easy to move
Protect Your Road Users With the Proper Road Barrier
We’ve covered the most common types of road barriers and barricades. They are a crucial element in ensuring road safety and effective traffic management. From Type I barricades for lane closures to water-filled barriers for temporary traffic control, there are various barricades available to suit different traffic control and safety needs. By choosing the right type of barrier for the specific situation, road authorities can ensure that traffic is directed safely and efficiently.
With the knowledge gained from the
is blog, you can make informed decisions on the best road barrier to use for your specific needs. Find the proper road barricades you need by visiting Interwest Safety to begin protecting your workers and road users. Remember, road safety is paramount, and the right type of road barrier is an important aspect of keeping drivers, pedestrians, and workers safe.
