Plastic road divider

Types of plastic road dividers

Plastic road divider types, often referred to as traffic barriers or lane separators, are crucial in guiding vehicular movement in traffic zones. Their primary purpose is to enhance safety by delineating lanes, preventing head-on collisions, and reducing the risk of erratic driving. Road dividers are necessary for most busy streets, highways, and areas requiring heavy traffic management.

Road dividers come in multiple types according to predetermined use; therefore, it is essential for wholesale buyers to understand the various types of road dividers to procure suitable devices for the target market. The following are the most popular types of plastic road dividers available on the market today:

Corrugated plastic road dividers

Corrugated plastic dividers are well-known for their lightweight and rigid build. The dividers are constructed with two flat plastic sheets with a core sandwiched in between, giving them a unique corrugated shape. This construction makes them durable and weatherproof yet light and easy to install. Due to their low cost and versatility in various applications, such as industrial and commercial signage, these dividers are widely popular among wholesale buyers.

Channelizers

Channelizers, or lane channelizers or lane separation devices, guide and direct traffic flow, creating clear paths for vehicles. Channelizers are usually installed on the highway and come in rigid and flexible types. Rigid channelizers fix into the roadway, and flexible channelizers attach in temporary installations to allow movement and readjustment as needed. Wholesalers can easily distinguish rigid channelizers from flexible ones due to their fixed and movable nature. Rigid channelizers are generally made from molded plastic, metal, or concrete. Flexible channelizers are constructed from plastic, often containing air or foam, to absorb impacts and minimize damage. Wholesalers can select channelizers that suit their clients' needs based on durability, ease of installation, or environmental conditions.

Traffic cones

Traffic cones are among the most commonly used and recognizable road dividers. They are typically made from flexible plastic or rubber and mark hazards such as construction zones, detours, or other temporary obstructions to traffic. Their lightweight build makes them easily moved, and their bright colors with reflective bands enhance visibility. Although simple in design, modern traffic cones have incorporated features like weighted bases to withstand wind and premature tipping, flexible materials that withstand vehicle impacts, and stackable designs for storage.

Bollards

Bollards are short, sturdy posts made from rigid plastics, metal, or concrete, with a decorative element used at the divider. Apart from aesthetics, their primary purpose is to prevent vehicle access to certain areas, such as pedestrian walkways, parks, or restricted zones. They often come in removable or retrievable types, allowing vehicle access when required and providing security when restricted areas are off-limits. Some modern decorative bollards incorporate solar lighting, helping to improve installation visibility at night while maintaining a contemporary look.

Traffic barricades

Traffic barricades are large, robust structures made of tough materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or steel, marking off restricted zones like construction sites. They ensure safety and cause minimal disruption to traffic flow. Their distinctive designs often feature alternating orange and white or yellow color patterns with reflective bands to improve visibility, even in low-light conditions. Some barricades can be weighted with sand or water on-site, making them practical for temporary installations.

Material & Durability of plastic road dividers

Materials

The tiered entry of road dividers comes with various materials that resist environmental effects. This section looks at typical materials used and their durability.

• Corrugated plastic: This is one of the most affordable materials used to construct road dividers. It is extremely lightweight with moderate durability. Because of its low weight, it is commonly used for short-term installations.
• Polyethylene: This thermoplastic polymer is used extensively for road plastic dividers due to its inherent toughness and resistance to chemicals, moisture, and UV rays, which make it ideal for outdoor applications. It can be high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). HDPE has a greater density, thus making it more rigid and stronger, while LDPE is more flexible and lighter. This versatility allows the use of polyethylene in corrugated plastic road dividers, traffic cones, and barricades.
• Polypropylene: Polypropylene is preferred because it is impact-resistant and possesses moderate UV resistance and chemical resistance. Polypropylene is the material of choice in making channelizers and traffic cones when weight and flexibility balance durability.
• Recycled plastics: Recycled materials originated from post-consumer plastics like PET bottles or industrial waste, reducing environmental impact while maintaining comparable durability. Some road dividers embody resilience against UV rays, chemicals, and temperature changes, making them effective for various outdoor applications. The use of recycled plastics in road dividers appeals to eco-conscious consumers and regulators, fulfilling sustainability goals and requirements.
• Hybrid materials: Hybrid road dividers incorporate various materials to balance flexibility, strength, and impact resistance. For instance, a divider may combine polyethylene for flexibility and internal reinforcement elements in the form of metal or composite fibers for tensile strength, thus making the divider withstand heavy impacts without breaking or deforming.

Durability

• Weather resistance: Plastic road dividers have strong weather-resistant properties, including UV rays, moisture, extreme temperatures, and chemicals. This ensures that the dividers do not fade, become brittle, or lose their structural integrity over time. Proper UV protection is especially important in regions with intense sunlight to prevent the divider from becoming weak, thus minimizing frequent replacements.
• Impact resistance: Many plastic road dividers, like those made from polyethylene or polypropylene, are designed with high impact resistance. This property enables them to absorb shocks and hits without cracking or breaking, invaluable in areas exposed to heavy traffic or prone to vehicle collisions. Good impact resistance helps prevent hazardous debris and enhances the safety of the barrier as an installed device.
• Longevity: Plastic road dividers' durability properties result in their long lifespan, requiring very little maintenance. In addition, dividers made from robust materials can endure years of repetitive use without serious wear, making them economically viable for long-term use. This increased durability again reduces the costs associated with replacing road dividers frequently and helps towards cost-effectiveness.

Commercial use cases plastic road divider

With their visible attributes and effective delineation of traffic, channelizers are integral components of temporary and permanent traffic management systems, particularly in busy road networks. They promote safety by creating structured pathways for vehicles, thereby minimizing confusion among drivers. Channelizers are commonly utilized in roadway construction, rerouting, and event management. They mark traffic lanes, turning areas, and pedestrian crossings, improving the road infrastructure's efficiency and safety.

• Traffic management: Channelizers help control vehicle flow, reduce congestion, and minimize accidents in commercial uses, making them indispensable to traffic control. Visible channelizers like tubular markers and plastic cones help direct traffic smoothly during construction or routine traffic. By clearly delineating lanes, turns, and crossovers, they minimize confusion and potential collisions. Their role in managing traffic efficiently promotes safety and enhances system efficacy, reducing delays and enhancing productivity for commuters and commercial vehicles.
• Parking areas: Channelizers are useful in managing the organization of vehicles within a parking lot, thus optimizing the use of available space. Line marking tapes and pavement markers in channelizers guide movement, install designated parking spaces, and control traffic flow, reducing chaos, maximally utilizing the area, enhancing safety, and minimizing over-crowding and accidents in the lot.
• Event settings: Easily portable traffic barriers and cones delineate pathways, designated areas, and safety zones at public gatherings and other organized activities. This prevents unauthorized access to unsafe areas and engenders smooth pedestrian and vehicle movements around and through the event. Road dividers are key to safety and overall enjoyment by clearly delineating permitted versus prohibited activities and spaces and managing the large crowds often drawn to such events.
• Pedestrian safety: Road dividers create safe crossing areas and walkways for pedestrians, especially in high-traffic zones. They reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and promote a safer environment by separating pedestrian and vehicle paths. Commonly used in school zones, urban areas, and special events, their presence encourages drivers to be more cautious and aware of pedestrian movement, significantly reducing accident rates and enhancing overall public safety.

How To Choose the plastic road divider

To select a suitable road divider, several factors need consideration, including the intended application, environmental conditions, and desired durability. The following are some of the factors wholesalers should consider when choosing road dividers for their customers:

• Purpose: The visible purpose of the road divider will impact which type, material, and design is chosen. Plastic barricades are suitable where complete closure is intended, while channelizers are applicable where traffic is to be guided in particular directions.
• Environment: Road dividers are constantly exposed to weather elements such as intense sunlight, strong winds, rains, and snow. Some dividers are manufactured from virgin plastic material that has UV blocking agents to prevent it from the harsh rays of the sun. Others are designed to be heavier and more resistant to wind to keep them stable in windy conditions.
• Visibility: For road safety, selecting a plastic road divider of bright colors and reflective markings is important, especially for low-light or bad weather conditions. Channelizers and temporary road closures are usually made with bright fluorescent orange or yellow colors, as these colors are effective in visibility and attention capture for oncoming motorists.
• Durability: Wholesalers should consider the type of material used in the construction of the road divider, as it will affect its durability. For example, road dividers made of concrete-like materials are suitable for permanent installations and can support huge weight. HDPE road dividers are suitable for all types of climate and are extremely light to enable easy carrying.
• Portability and installation: If temporary use or easy relocation is required, dividers like traffic cones, portable barricades, and flexible channelizers are suitable, as they are lightweight and easy to handle. Removable bollards may also be useful if the post is required to be permanent but can also be removed at will.
• Cost: When selecting the right divider, it is very important to quantify the costs and consider the volume purchase of types that have various designs available. Traffic cones and channelizers are less expensive when purchased in bulk. However, longer-lasting dividers may come in the form of recycled or hybrid materials. In view of the safety they provide, they may also come with higher costs.

Q&A

Q1: What are plastic road dividers?

A1: Road dividers are devices installed on a roadway to separate opposing traffic lanes with the purpose of promoting road safety. They are temporary structures made mainly from plastic, rigid foam, or metal.

Q2: What is the purpose of a road divider?

A2: The main purpose of a plastic road divider is to promote safety by clearly delineating lanes and guiding vehicle movement to reduce the chances of head-on collisions and chaotic driving. Dividers are usually placed on congested highways, streets, and areas that require heavy traffic management.

Q3: What are the materials used to manufacture road dividers?

A3: Most road dividers are manufactured from virgin plastic, recycled plastic, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Concrete and metals are used for permanent road dividers, and hybrid materials are used to improve flexibility, strength, and impact resistance.

Q4: How long are the road dividers expected to last?

A4: The durability of a road divider depends on the material used and the environmental conditions. Many plastic road dividers can last several years if properly maintained and suited for their intended use.

Q5: Are road dividers eco-friendly?

A5: Some road dividers are eco-friendly, such as recycled plastic road dividers, which reduce the environmental impact of using recycled materials. This mitigates the damage done to the environment by road dividers engaging the manufacturers that produce them to care for the planet.