Archive for October, 2013
What’s the Cost of Orange Construction Drums? Other Traffic Products?
The traffic safety field is not something the average person knows much about, why would they need to? Because I deal with the information about these products daily, I have a good grip on how much a city or company probably paid for that orange construction drum or traffic cone. Everyone is surprised when I tell them that cones are typically $15 a piece and drums can be $50 or $60 each if they are in high speed zones (they need more expensive reflective material in the higher speed zones).
This is something to think of next time you see one you want to take home with you for fun. Why do these products cost double or triple what you would expect? A good amount of the cost comes from the reflective material, which almost every product needs so that it can be easily seen during the night and day. It’s also important to note these products have to meet crash test requirements so they have to be molded into a certain shape. The companies that make these products have to pay for the tests to be done and it’s not a cheap process. And finally, the material has to last through being tossed around by construction workers, potentially hit by cars and go through multiple winters and summers.
The moral of the story, safety isn’t cheap, but it’s cheaper than the cost of an accident! And I am sure glad our country takes the safety of the road workers and drivers so serious. Otherwise there would be way more accidents on the road.
Popular on college campuses and around bars is the act of taking an orange traffic cone or two off the street and bringing it home with you. I’ve seen it happen and it’s usually after drinking. However I would advise everyone to avoid doing this because you are actually stealing the city/state’s property and it’s a punishable offense. If you are caught with a traffic safety product you could end up getting arrested.
Of course how far the officer wants to punish you is going to depend on that police man but it’s not worth gambling the device. So next time you see a cone you want to grab I suggest you resist the urge and get one at your local Home Depot or hardware store. It will most likely be a lot cheaper in the long run!
If you don’t believe me check out this news story about three kids getting arrested when an officer discovers they had taken traffic cones. http://www.wkbw.com/news/crime/–Quick-Way-to-get-Arrested-Steal-Traffic-Cones-126081923.html
Need Just A Few Traffic Cones?
When I tell people about my business and what I sell, the first response is usually asking if I can sell them a few traffic cones as they want one for their apartment, dorm, a race in their backyard etc. While I (and I am sure other traffic safety vendors) would love to be able to sell small quantities, the manufacturers don’t. They want to sell 100’s at a time!
So here are a few resources for finding those 1 or 2 or 5 cones. First try your local home depot, I have seen them sold as single units and for not a bad price! If you don’t have a home depot or they are all out, try your local hardware store. Even a mom and pop shop (like what I have in my hometown) could carry them because utility companies, the local police, cable companies and more all need small quantities at different times.
Need your cones to be colored? Well now it gets a little more difficult. Obviously they typically come in orange. To find fluorescent green, pink, red etc you will most likely have to look online. To find a company that doesn’t have a minimum order look for those that keep their products in stock. That way the manufacturer’s don’t have to be hassled to send out 3 green traffic cones.
And finally, if you live in a big city (New York City, LA, Chicago) there is most likely a brick and mortar traffic safety company within the city. I don’t imagine minimum orders apply there.
If you happen to need 10 more more we can help you out! Come to our website www.trans-supply.com and shop around!
What Specs Do I Need for My Airport Barricades?
A lot of times when customers call to get a quote from us on airport barricades, they do not know the exact specs they need for those barricades. In this case I am talking about the reflective sheeting requirements (Engineer Grade or Hi Intensity? Sheeting on one side or both sides?) as well as the lights and flags required.
The most common spec I have seen for airport barricade projects is hi intensity sheeting on both sides of the barricade, two red solar 360 degree airport lights on each barricade, and one orange flag on one end of the barricade. This is probably 75% of my orders.
I wouldn’t go so far as to assume that’s what you need, but it’s a good place to start. If you are unsure of the specs you need suggest this spec to the project engineer and see what they respond with. It’s also important to note these barricade I am talking about are 10″ high and 96″ long.
If you need help picking our the correct runway barricade feel free to contact us through our website at www.trans-supply.com.