In the vast landscapes of Western Australia, road safety signage plays a pivotal role in guiding and safeguarding both local and visiting road users. Ensuring these signs are correctly installed and maintained is a varied task, encompassing everything from regulatory compliance and material selection to regular maintenance and community involvement.
If you’re in charge of such a task, partnering with a professional signage installer like Corsign can make the process smoother, more efficient, and compliant. This article provides a detailed look at four critical aspects of road sign installation in Western Australia and how Corsign can help you get it done right.
#1 Adhere to regulatory standards and understand local conditions
Understanding and complying with the rules that govern road sign installation is an intricate task that forms the foundation of this process. The Western Australia Traffic Management Code of Practice outlines the standards for the safe, efficient, and environmentally sound management of traffic in Western Australia. This comprehensive Code, supplemented by the broader Australian Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), provides directives on various aspects including the size, shape, colour, and precise placement of road traffic signage.
These laws go beyond mere sign installation, including provisions to ensure the safety of traffic and workers during the installation process. For example, the regulations might specify lane closures, speed limits, and the use of protective equipment during installation. Ignoring these legal requirements can lead to penalties and even necessitate the removal of the installed signs. Learn how you should properly adhere to these regulations by reading our article on keeping your roadwork safe and compliant with proper signage here.
But adhering to legal provisions is only half the job. A successful road sign installation process must take into account the unique geographical and environmental aspects of Western Australia. The vast state encompasses bustling urban centres, sprawling suburban areas, and vast expanses of rural and wilderness areas. Each of these regions requires a different approach when it comes to road sign installation.
The process should start with a meticulous site survey. This survey should evaluate the road’s layout, considering factors such as curvature, gradient, intersections, and the presence of pedestrian crossings or driveways. Sightlines, a crucial aspect, need to be analysed to ensure drivers can see the sign in time to understand and react to its message.
Local conditions such as wildlife movements need to be factored in, especially in remote or rural areas. Seasonal aspects such as tourist traffic and local events that might increase traffic volume and type at certain times of the year should also be considered.
Why employ Corsign to help you in understanding the regulatory landscape and local conditions in WA?
Enlisting Corsign’s help for road sign installation offers several key advantages:
- Regulatory knowledge: Corsign are road signs Perth experts that are extremely proficient in Western Australia’s specific traffic regulations, ensuring your signs meet all necessary guidelines.
- Understanding of local conditions: With extensive local experience, Corsign’s team is well-equipped to consider unique environmental and traffic conditions for optimal sign placement.
- Site surveying: Corsign can conduct detailed site surveys to optimise the installation process and ensure strategic sign placement.
- Compliance assurance: Corsign takes care of all aspects of the installation, ensuring strict compliance with safety protocols and regulations.
- Certification and documentation: Corsign’s team is fully certified, providing confidence in their adherence to regulatory standards.
In summary, Corsign provides expert knowledge, local understanding, detailed planning, and assured compliance to optimise your road sign installations.
#2 Select quality materials and appropriate installation tools
Western Australia’s diverse weather conditions require the use of durable, high-quality materials for road signs. In the scorching summers, signs need to resist fading from intense UV radiation. In coastal areas, the material must be able to withstand the corrosion triggered by salt-laden winds, while in bushfire-prone regions, fire-resistant materials are a must.
The signposts and fastenings should be made from materials that resist corrosion, ensuring the signs stay securely mounted even under adverse weather conditions. Depending on the location, you might need to consider theft and vandalism-proof fixtures.
The use of appropriate, high-quality installation tools is also key to a successful road sign installation process. The right tools ensure an efficient installation, alleviating the risk of poorly installed signs, which could become a safety hazard. They also prevent damage to the signs during installation, extending the lifespan of the signs and reducing maintenance needs.
Corisgn is well aware of the challenging conditions faced in WA, and we design our signage with materials that are specifically manufactured to mitigate these conditons and ensure signage longevity.
Why should you enlist the help of a professional signage installer like Corsign?
Choosing a professional signage installer like Corsign comes with numerous benefits that ensure the successful installation of your road signs. Here’s why:
- Time efficiency and compliance: Corsign’s team can generally install your signage within your specific timeframes, adhering strictly to your protocols and systems. This efficiency can save you significant time and resources.
- Material knowledge: Corsign’s expertise extends to selecting the right materials for each specific installation. Their knowledge of Western Australian conditions ensures that your signs will withstand local environmental challenges, improving longevity and reducing maintenance needs.
- Experienced and certified professionals: Corsign employs its own professional installation team, relinquishing the use of subcontractors. Their staff are fully certified and documented, ensuring compliance with all relevant standards, especially when working on mining and civil construction sites.
- Self-sufficient with quality equipment: Corsign brings its own well-serviced equipment, limiting reliance on external providers. This includes everything necessary for your installation: post-hole diggers, excavators, crane trucks with hydraulic ramps, fully-equipped installation vehicles, and other installation equipment. This equipment comes with accurate and up-to-date safety documentation, guaranteeing a safe installation process.
- Customised approach: Corsign considers each installation job on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that your unique requirements are adequately met. If necessary, they can conduct a site inspection prior to installation, ensuring diligent planning and a smooth process.
- Flexible scheduling: Corsign is ready to work within your schedule to plan the installation at a time that suits your operations, minimising disruptions to your daily activities.
#3 Design for visibility and comprehensibility
Visibility and comprehensibility are key to effective road sign installation. The varying conditions across Western Australia, from busy city streets to remote outback tracks, require signs to be clearly visible under all circumstances.
This might involve the use of high-intensity prismatic (HIP) or diamond grade (DG) sheeting to improve visibility under different lighting conditions. Illuminated signs or those equipped with flashing lights might be necessary in areas with poor lighting or additional warning required.
Moreover, road signs must cater to all road users, not just vehicle drivers. Consider the needs of cyclists, motorbike riders, and pedestrians, who might need signs to be placed lower or the use of different symbols to ensure clear comprehension.
Read Corsign’s top 6 tips to ensure your safety signs are effective here.
#4 Establish regular maintenance and community engagement
After road signs have been installed, a regular maintenance and inspection routine should be established. Maintenance checks should include cleaning, checking for and repairing any damage, checking the visibility of the sign, and its continued relevance as road conditions change.
Engagement with local communities can greatly enhance the efficacy of road signs, particularly in remote and regional areas. The local residents’ understanding of traffic patterns, problem areas, and recurring issues can help determine the most effective sign placement. Involving local communities can also foster a sense of ownership, leading to better preservation and maintenance of the signs.
How should road signs be maintained?
Maintaining road signs effectively requires several key steps:
- Regular inspections: Signs should be checked regularly for structural integrity, visibility, and message relevance. Inspections should be more frequent in high-traffic areas or harsh weather conditions. They should assess any damage, fading, or obstructions.
- Cleaning: Regular cleaning enhances a road sign’s visibility and longevity. Use gentle, non-abrasive methods to remove accumulated dust and pollutants without damaging the sign’s surface.
- Repairs and replacements: Signs should be inspected routinely for any damage. Minor issues can often be repaired, but significant damages, like heavy fading or large dents, usually require complete replacement. Swift action is essential to ensure the sign remains effective and safe for road users.
- Sign upgrades: Changes in regulations or material advancements may require sign upgrades. Regularly evaluate your signs to determine if upgrades are needed.
- Community involvement: Encourage local community involvement, especially in remote areas, to help identify signs that need attention and assist with basic maintenance tasks.
Conclusion
Installing road signs is not just about putting up a signpost. It involves an intricate process that combines regulatory compliance, material selection, design considerations, and community involvement. In Western Australia, where the terrain is as diverse as it is challenging, expert guidance can make all the difference.
Corsign, with its proficient team, extensive local knowledge, and dedication to quality, provides comprehensive solutions for successful road sign installations. So why wait? Reach out to Corsign today, and ensure your road sign installation process is in the hands of experts.
