Press

North America Traffic seeing increase in requests for equipment

Port Colborne, ON

North America Traffic, is experiencing a dramatic increase in requests for their portable traffic signals since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law. To date, sales 250% higher than the same time last year. As a result, North America Traffic has increased production to meet the high demand. Contractors bidding on infrastructure projects funded by the Act are using portable traffic signals instead of conventional temporary traffic signals to cut project start up by up to a month; putting people back to work more quickly. Most two lane road and bridge repairs require a single lane closure with two-way traffic flow in the other lane controlled by traffic lights. The repair work cannot start until the traffic signals are operational. Temporary traffic signals can take up to a month to become operational. The signals require wood poles to be installed, electricity run to the site and signal heads installed. It can take several weeks to locate and mark underground utilities prior to digging, bring power to the site and install the signals. Conversely, portable traffic signals are set up in less than ten minutes. They run on battery power charged by solar panels and provide unlimited runtime. They do not require any digging and eliminate the need for bringing power lines to the site. North America Traffic’s PTL 2.4x model is trailer mounted and compact with tandem towing capability. When fully erected the upper signal head sits 17 feet above the roadway and the lower head sits off the roadway eight feet above the ground. The system also includes a radio remote control which allows the workers to stop and start traffic flow whenever they need to bring their trucks into the work zone. At the project’s conclusion, the portable traffic signals are lowered and towed to the next project whereas additional project time is needed to dismantle temporary traffic signals. In addition, temporary traffic signals are costly and job overhead costs, such as the project manager’s wages, vehicle expenses, site trailer rental, telephone, and electricity eat up the contractor’s budget while waiting for the installation of the temporary signals. At the end of the project the contractor has nothing to show for it. 

Portable traffic signals are significantly less expensive and reusable, saving thousands of dollars on every project. 

About North America Traffic 

North America Traffic was launched as R.C. Flagman in 1993 when Peter Vieveen built the world’s first Remote Controlled Flagman™ out of his garage. At the time, Mr. Vieveen was a senior estimator in the construction industry with over 25 years of construction experience. He understood the importance of reducing costs while increasing safety. North America Traffic now operates a full production facility, and its products have been used on over 2,500 projects across North America. Today, it is the world leader in traffic control systems, with 8 different models of portable traffic signals and flagging systems to meet all traffic control needs. For more information, visit www.northamericatraffic.com.