Are You Using the Right Types of Delineators?

The Importance of Road Work Safety Equipment

It is no secret that South Africa struggles with a high road accident rate. The deputy minister of transport listed poor visibility as one of the top five causes of road fatalities. However, the good news is that you can do your part to help. Ensure you use the correct types of delineators on your next road project.

Choosing the right size and base with the right reflective qualities gives drivers more time to react. As you know, a split second makes all the difference in road safety. Your choice of delineators matters. Here’s our guide to help you on your journey.

Assess Before You Buy

A traffic delineator is a pole or blade with high visibility properties to direct vehicles. They are usually used to steer cars around road works or accident sites, but not all are made equal.

There are three different types of delineators designed for various conditions. Selecting the right blade height with an appropriate base is crucial to ensure visibility and safety. The type of reflective tape used also plays its part in the degree of prominence.

It is vital to assess the speed limits and structure of the road before deciding on your delineators. You can select smaller options on a long straight stretch in a low-speed zone. However, these are not appropriate for highway use.

Delineator Sizes

At Venture Plastics, we stock three options. Each size is fit for specific applications and certain road conditions.

When selecting types of delineators, the primary consideration is the speed zone in your area of use. If you do not pick the appropriate size, you risk poor visibility and danger to motorists.

Selecting the right delineators the first time can also save you money. Poorly visible signals get knocked down and ridden over as they are not suited to the job. This means you are continually spending money on replacing them. This adds up and picking the correct option from the start is more cost-effective.

800mm x 200mm – Small Delineators

Delineators of this size are appropriate for use in 0 to 60 km per hour speed zones. The reflective sticker on this blade measures 600mm by 200mm and is not visible from a considerable distance. For this reason, these delineators are not fit for highway use.

1m x 250mm – Medium Delineators

These types of delineators offer better visibility. Their reflective stickers measure 800mm by 250mm and are visible from further away. They are still not appropriate in areas with speed limits above 80km per hour.

1.2m x 250mm – Large Delineators

Our largest delineators are the only size suitable for highway use. They cost more due to size but suit roads with 120 km per hour limits. This size allows for greater reaction time, meaning safer conditions and less chance of you incurring replacement costs.

Construction crews often use small delineators on highways because they are inexpensive. However, they are inappropriate and put motorists at risk.

Our delineator blades are high quality and locally manufactured.

Types of Reflective Tape

All reflective tape does the same thing, right? Unfortunately not. Each grade of tape has different photometrics. This is the term used to refer to the measure of intensity and brightness of light produced.

Reflective tape uses retro-reflectivity and light dispersion to collect and send light back. There are two types of tape used on our delineators, Engineer Grade Class 1 and High-Intensity Prismatic Class 3. Here’s how they work.

Engineer Grade (EG) Class 1

Our EG tape uses high index glass beads arranged on a thin film layer. These beads collect light, concentrate it, and send it back to its source. The beads are positioned evenly and smoothly and have a wide light dispersion. This means that the reflection does not reach considerable distances.

High-Intensity Prismatic (HIP) Class 3

This tape is more than five times brighter than its EG counterpart. It also comprises high index glass beads. However, form a honeycomb pattern. This configuration reflects light more effectively as it has a tighter light dispersion reaching a greater distance.

See the difference for yourself

Our delineator bases are cost-effective and durable.

Choosing the Right Types of Delineator Bases

Like their blades, delineator bases come at varying prices. The cost increases with the weight, and each only suits specific environments.

The lightest and cheapest bases are plastic and break when driven over. They require sandbags to balance the delineator blades.

The mid-way option is rubber and weighs 2.5 kgs. This base also needs sandbags but withstands vehicle run-ins.

Like small and medium blades, light and mid selections are inappropriate for freeway use. Sandbags present safety hazards and are only appropriate on residential and minor roads.

Our rubber 4.5 kg base will balance without assistance and won’t blow over. It is suitable for freeway use up to 100 km per hour. These bases also last up to 10 years, meaning you save in the long run.

Venture Plastics is the Sustainable Choice for All Types of Delineators

Our locally manufactured delineators and bases are always in stock and comprise first-generation recycled plastics. All Venture Plastics products are recycled, except for our 1.8 m cones, waterfilled barriers, and soft PVC cones.

We all know you cannot put a price on safety, but you can do it right cost-effectively. Visit us at Venture Plastics Distributors to find out how.

If you are looking for a sustainable and experienced delineator and base supplier, contact us today.