Top 4 Best Places To Use Traffic Spikes
A vehicle that is going the wrong way on a one-way conveyance can have a head-on collision with another vehicle. Though relatively rare, a head-on collision can be among the most dangerous and damaging types of traffic accidents. Many facilities turn to Delta Scientific for solutions to prevent vehicles from driving the wrong way. One of the solutions we offer is traffic spikes, sometimes also referred to as traffic teeth.
Traffic spikes can be an effective way to deter wrong-way traffic in certain situations. However, they are not always appropriate. Here are some places where using one-way spikes may provide good traffic control.
1. On a Commercial or Government Property
Delta Scientific sells one way spikes and other access control products for use on commercial and government property. Examples of facilities our products are intended to protect include government buildings, military installations, stadiums, schools, and parking facilities. We do not sell products intended for use on private residential properties, and even if we did, it would be against the law to install traffic spikes on such properties.
2. In an Area of Low Traffic
Traffic teeth are intended for use in areas of relatively low vehicle traffic to keep it flowing in the right direction. High traffic volumes can lead to wear on the spikes that can damage them over time. Unintended damage to the tires of vehicles may result, even to cars that are traveling in the correct direction. If your facility sees high volumes of traffic, we may be able to offer you another, more appropriate solution, such as a surface-mounted barricade. This type of barricade allows you to control access to the facility by blocking vehicles while you verify the occupants’ credentials and then allowing them to proceed once you have authenticated them.
3. In a Low-Speed Area
Traffic spikes are effective at disabling vehicles traveling in the wrong direction when traveling at low speeds. Therefore, they are appropriate for parking lots and areas where vehicles drive at low speeds. However, traffic teeth are not appropriate for areas in which vehicles are expected to travel at high speeds because they are not effective at stopping vehicles traveling at high velocities. This is the reason that authorities do not use traffic spikes to prevent wrong-way drivers from entering freeways and interstates at on-ramps or off-ramps.
If you need to be able to stop vehicles traveling at high speeds, Delta Scientific barricades and bollards are effective at stopping vehicles weighing up to 15,000 pounds apiece when traveling between 30 and 50 miles per hour. We perform crash tests to verify the speed at which each of our barriers is effective and give it a crash rating based on the results.
4. In a Relatively Dry Climate
The climate in which your facility is located may make a difference in how well traffic teeth may work for you. Weather conditions such as ice, mist, rain, or snow could reduce the traction, while freezing temperatures could make it more difficult for the spikes to close down.
Over time, dirt and debris could build up in the devices as well, preventing the spikes from folding down properly. However, we can perform routine maintenance on all Delta Scientific products that could help prevent this from happening.
Sources:
https://its.txdot.gov/ITS_V3/SAT/wwd/content/EngineeringAnalysisSpikeStrips.pdf
https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/criminal-defense/can-you-install-spike-strips-in-your-driveway/
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!