Rubber traffic separators being used to trial a new road layout at a busy intersection.
Lane separators improve traffic safety by clearly distinguishing different areas of the road and how it should be used. Whether this is to create safe zones for pedestrians, separate cycleways, or to establish different lanes for vehicles in busy areas, lane separators act as both visual and physical deterrents and guide road users on a desired route. In this blog, we’ll provide recommendations on lane separator products that are used in our engineered safety solutions to help improve the safety of all road users, including drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) has recently set a 10-year Road to Zero Strategy with the new objective to safeguard life on our roads. This strategy seeks to create a safe and forgiving road system that makes the safety of people a priority. Infrastructure improvements have been outlined as a key long-term focus area for the strategy, with the specific action of enhancing safety and accessibility of footpaths, shared paths and cycleways being given priority to implement over the next 3 years.
Across New Zealand, cycling is the third most popular recreational activity, with 24.8% of adults participating in it. People want improved cycling infrastructure and many say they’d cycle more if separated cycling infrastructure was provided. Therefore Waka Kotahi is currently focused on creating environments that make people feel safe and comfortable when walking and cycling within our communities. Encouraging active methods of transport through the use of lane separators has many benefits, including reducing carbon emissions, supporting healthy lifestyles and minimising congestion on our roads.
At Vanguard we have a specialist division focussed on road safety and cycleway separation that collaborate with our global network of designers and manufacturers to bring innovative, fit-for-purpose products to the New Zealand roading networks. Our range of lane separation solutions helps to delineate traffic and deliver positive outcomes for all road users. Below are five popular products we supply for lane separation:
1. Traffic Separators
Rubber traffic separators fixed to asphalt in a permanent position to improve pedestrian safety in a carpark.
Rubber Traffic Separators, also dubbed ‘traffic snakes’, are a robust traffic control system that act as a visual and physical deterrent. They are primarily used to separate lanes and traffic both on and off-road, including to prevent lane changing, protect cycleways, temporary traffic management, car park control and create safe pedestrian walkways.
The one metre long interlocking modules clip together for quick installation, and the reflective white or orange flexible posts then twist-lock into the receiver sockets in each module. The posts have a quick release system allowing easy removal and installation, therefore the separators can be permanently fixed or loose laid for temporary situations. For more information regarding this product, download our Flexible Traffic Separator Spec Sheet or view the product in use in one of our recent projects.
2. Flexi Bollards
Ultraflex delineators separating lanes by Victoria Tunnel in Wellington.
Flexible bollards provide a cost-effective method of creating visual delineation and lane guidance and can be bolted to asphalt or concrete. The flexible PU-material is designed to bend when hit, so they provide guidance to vehicles without causing any damage when hit. We have two types of Flexible Bollard, Ultraflex Traffic Delineator and One-Piece Flexi Bollards
Ultraflex Delineator:
NZTA Approved device and suitable for installation on private and public roads. Ultraflex delineators are made in New Zealand from robust urethane. They can withstand up to 100 impacts at 100km/h making the most durable of their type in New Zealand. 2-part design allows for easy post replacement and are available in White, Yellow or Orange with reflective bands for night-time visibility. For more information regarding this product, download our Ultraflex Delineator Spec Sheet.
One-Piece Flexi Bollards:
Lightweight and durable lane separating solution within carparks. They are ideal for marking lanes, separating vehicles and pedestrians or highlighting hazards in car parks, particularly in tight driving situations. These come in a highly visible orange colour with reflective bands for night-time visibility. For more information regarding this product, download our Flexible Bollards Spec Sheet.
3. CityFlex
CityFlex posts come in a wide range of colour options and act as visual deterrents.
CityFlex Posts were originally designed for European cycleways and therefore meet UN regulations. While still manufactured in Europe, CityFlex is now becoming popular throughout New Zealand for delineation on roads, parking areas and bike paths. CityFlex posts operate as deterrents, reducing the risk of accidents and providing clear separation on the road. These posts are fully flexible, returning to their original form after any impact. This durability and resistance has been tested with over 1,000 collisions at 50kmph.
There is a wide range of colours available for CityFlex Posts, so you can inject some style and flair into the streets or your business at the same time as providing safety improvements and aesthetic delineation. This helps with the public acceptance of road improvements or layout changes, as it provides aesthetically appealing posts instead of the usual fluorescent orange or yellow. The posts can be epoxy fixed into a separate ground socket to provide the option of permanent or temporary installation.
4. Rubber Cycleway Islands
Rubber Cycleway Islands are ideal for traffic lane separation, particularly at busy intersections.
Rubber Cycleway Islands are modular rubber sections available in a red or grey colour that allow for fast, easy construction of small traffic islands or lane separation. They offer a much more cost-effective solution than using concrete materials and are ideal for cycleway separation, traffic lane separation, pedestrian refuge islands and intersection lane control. The bolt down design means that they can be removed later if required, allowing you to install interim separation at a lower cost while still being effective and aesthetically pleasing.
5. Cycle Lane Separators
Rubber cycleway separators are available in yellow and black, with reflective sections to improve visibility.
Cycle Lane Separators are used for segregating cycleways from vehicle lanes in order to create a safe zone for cyclists away from moving traffic. They are also commonly used in other situations around sites where there is a need to delineate traffic flow. Constructed from a mix of recycled and virgin rubber, these separators are available in one-metre sections and are simply bolted or spiked to the surface of the road. They come in both yellow and black, with a reflective glass bead on each end which ensures the separator is seen at night.
Lane separators are a proven method for providing safety solutions on the road. Designed to segregate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, they help protect all road users from harm. For more information regarding improving traffic safety by using lane separators, contact our team of experienced consultants and we’ll respond within 60 minutes or call us on 0800 500 147 to book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our experts.
