Portable speed bump discs

Abstract

A portable speed bump disc which can be easily deployed and removed from the roadway to control the speed of traffic. The disc preferably does not require mechanical and or chemical attachment to the pavement, and a plurality of discs, when placed in a staggered array on the roadway, can improve the safety of crews working in flagging operations, traffic work zones, or other situations where daily installation and removal of roadway warning devices may be required. Each disc is relatively small and light in weight as compared to conventional elongated rumble strips or speed bumps, and can be handled and deployed by a single worker.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 160,761 filed Mar. 13, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to portable roadway warning devices which can be placed in the flow of traffic to provide a physical means of speed reduction, and in particular to speed bump discs which can be easily deployed and removed without the need for mechanical attachment or chemical adherence to the pavement.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The primary function of temporary traffic control is to provide for the safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians through or around temporary traffic control zones, while reasonably protecting workers and equipment. Construction zones require slower speeds and often feature orange barrels or orange cones with lane closures in an attempt to decrease the exp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a portable speed bump disc that can be easily deployed and removed from the roadway to control the speed of traffic. It does not require mechanical and or chemical attachment to the pavement, and a plurality of discs can be deployed in an array to quickly provide traffic speed reduction and reduce the risk of injury for road crew personnel. In summary, this invention provides a convenient and effective way to control the speed of traffic.

Problems solved by technology

Utility work zones are typically unplanned and shorter in duration than construction zones, and present a different set of risks for traffic control.

School zones can be unpredictable due to the presence of children, and are almost always accompanied by signs and / or flashing lights telling drivers to slow down.

Nevertheless, many drivers have become immune to warning signs and orange cones, such that road crews must often install speed bumps or rumble strips in temporary work zones and other roadway control locations to improve driver compliance.

Most current speed bumps are generally elongated, bulky, and heavy, and require at least two crew members and / or specialized equipment to place them.

They are not easy to deploy and remove, and can take up valuable storage space in the work crew's van or truck.

Circular speed bumps, or discs, are also known, and while smaller and easier to store, they can be flipped around by the passing traffic and become unstable projectiles.

Removal of anchored speed bump discs can often damage the pavement.

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