As major arterial roads become more and more congested drivers are seeking to avoid the traffic snarls by using suburban roads as short cuts. The slow pace of traffic can lead the driver to frustration and when any clear road presents itself there can be a tendency to speed up in a false belief of making up for lost time. The challenge for Traffic Management departments at local government level is to be able to calm the travelling speed of these drivers. The Installation of traffic calming devices like speed cushions, blister islands, slow points and roundabouts to slow vehicles and manage traffic flows have been very successful with rubber calming products proving the fastest and most efficient installation devices.
Saferoads has been at the forefront of rubber development in Australia and has continually developed new products and sought to make improvements.  Speed Cushions have been the most commonly used of the range of rubber products available and the evolution of the product has improved yet again. Saferoads new compound specifications and Quality Assurance has assured that the product is not made from unpredictable composite variations that may change from batch to batch. This means that Saferoads Speed Cushions have greatly increased the lifespan of the product on the road. The other attraction for using rubber speed cushions is that the installation of a treatment of can be completed in under 2 hours with minimal disruption to traffic.
Rubber Roundabouts highlight the benefits of rubber installation most profoundly. Starting in the morning with a standard paved intersection, traffic management is established and works commence on installing the roundabout at 7.30am, the installation will be completed by lunch time. In the afternoon the infill of the middle of the roundabout, the inner edge of the rubber becomes the formwork for the installation of either asphalt, concrete, compacted sand or a garden bed. By day’s end the rubber roundabout is completed and fully operational. The result is a saving of weeks of costly excavation, traffic management and disruption to motorists. Rubber roundabouts can also be removed for special events for example the Adelaide City Council’s recent roundabout installation will be removed and re-instated yearly for The Tour Down Under cycle event.
 Using white rubber kerbing for blister or median islands is also quick and easy to install and does not require excavation. Unlike concrete the rubber kerbing will not crack and breakaway when impacted by heavy vehicles. By comparison over a long period the white rubber will retain its white appearance better than the grey aging appearance of concrete. Hobson s Bay City Council in Victoria has been quite innovative in using various rubber treatments for calming traffic. Working with Saferoads to create quick to install medians and other innovative treatments for troublesome intersections has given the traffic management department instant feedback on the effectiveness of the calming devices.
Saferoads launches it’s “Calm Down” promotion this month promoting safe driving and the use of traffic calming devices. Special product packaging and pricing will be available for readers that mention the promotion.