Page:Report of the Traffic Signs Committee (1963).pdf/58

 (ii) Conspicuousness

We consider that the conspicuousness of bollards needs improvement by night and day. The illumination at night should be greater than at present, particularly in well-lighted streets. The relative aesthetic and functional advantages of amber and white lighting for the base of the bollard should be considered.

(iii) Resistance to impact by vehicles

This we consider should not depart greatly from that of the present box-type bollard.

(iv) Maintenance

The design should include a standard base fixing so that all bollards are interchangeable and a link should be incorporated in the design so that the electric supply would be disconnected in the event of collision. We would expect that extensive field trials would be carried out by night and day in a variety of traffic conditions to ensure that the final design is functionally as well as aesthetically satisfactory.

When the design is agreed we consider that the bollard should become a prescribed traffic sign. We think that there should be a high degree of uniformity of bollards throughout the country-this does not mean that an agreed design should remain unalterable for ever-but we recognise that there may be, in some cities, street refuge posts of unusual character which, because of their architectural merit or historic interest, should be retained if adaptable. 212. Where, on roundabouts or islands in high speed roads, there is a need for traffic signs too large to be incorporated in the head of a normal bollard, we recommend that a large internally illuminated mandatory arrow sign be used and the bollard dispensed with.

(b) Refuge indicator lamps

213. These are the high-mounted globes placed between bollards on street refuges in order to make the refuge more conspicuous to drivers. They serve a useful purpose and should be retained. We recommend, however, that:—

(i) with the exception of those at pedestrian zebra crossings, their posts should be of the same colour as that used for the local street lighting columns;

(ii) at pedestrian zebra crossings they should continue to be painted with black and white stripes to give added emphasis to the crossing; and

(iii) the lamps should be sufficiently well illuminated to make them clearly visible at night, but not so brightly lit as to cause distraction to drivers or become a substitute for street lighting lamps.

214. Traffic cones are an important means of deflecting vehicles away from road obstructions. There are various types at present in use and we recommend that in future a uniform standard be prescribed in Regulations. Experiments should be carried out to find the best design, but we suggest that they be not less than 18 inches in height, and should be red with a 10 inch white reflectorised band. They should be stable so as not to move in wind or airstream caused by passing traffic, and hollow to facilitate stacking. We have also referred to them in our section on temporary signs (paragraph 194 (v)).