Traffic light posts are support poles that are mounted for the installation of signaling light equipment on streets and highways. These durable and long-lasting poles ensure the reliable installation of signaling lights that facilitate traffic for vehicles and pedestrians.
To manufacture such posts we use a solid metal pipe that has technological hatches to install the wiring. They are also equipped with panels for the necessary components and wire entries for the traffic lights. The construction is mounted on flanges, the base elements of which are additionally encased in concrete for extra stability.
Next, the posts undergo hot dip galvanizing which helps them to retain their operational characteristics for up to 25 years.
These two common types of street posts have certain differences. Traffic lights can be either installed directly on the post or located over the roadway at a distance of up to 6 meters from the post location. For this reason, the traffic light support is shaped or equipped with a special bracket. To make it operationally safe and stable, the post needs to be reinforced with a cast iron cylinder for the console bottom.
Lighting posts, in their turn, are meant for lighting in city spaces, parks, gardens, residential estates, or any tiger sites that need enhanced visibility at night. Such constructions are usually 3-5 meters high and are equipped with a bracket or a light fixture.
Metalogalva manufactures all its posts from high-quality steel. Both lighting posts and traffic lights posts are galvanized with hot zinc alloy to protect them from corrosion and rust build-up.
These days, metal posts are preferred to concrete supports. The metal post is the main bearing component of the structure; it provides stability and safety. Such posts are not susceptible to extreme outside factors such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, etc. Traffic light posts are manufactured using various metal constructions of different sizes, diameters, and thicknesses.
Signaling light posts can be of several types, depending on their use. This classification is similar to that of the street signposts as they are used in the same locations.
The manufacturers of metal constructions must comply with DSTU (State Standards of Ukraine) requirements. Every stage of the manufacturing process must be duly controlled to avoid construction damage or malfunction in the future. This is necessary to withstand, for example, a strong gust of wind or a road accident impact; the post must be able to stand the blow and not cause any more damage.
Here are the requirements for traffic light posts:
The wiring necessary for the traffic lights work is only permitted to be installed underground.
To install traffic lights, a special console is used (also known as a transport pole). It is a one-piece stand made of metal with a technological hatch used to install wires. It is also equipped with a panel to install the traffic light components, a grounding point, and special holes for traffic light cables. The stand is mounted on a base plate flange. Base elements for traffic light posts can be tubular or anchored. Both types require encasing with concrete.
The main difference between traffic light posts and lighting posts is that traffic lights are installed not only on straight poles but also on overhead arms above the roadway at a distance of up to 6 meters from the post location. Consequently, in this case, the post must be bent or equipped with an overhead bracket or console. This demands increased construction stability in case they need to withstand strong winds. As a rule, such poles are made up of several sections to facilitate mounting. The posts can be equipped with one or two traffic light fixtures installed at a height of up to 8 meters and with a possible bracket reach of up to 7 meters. Often, the bottom part of the traffic light console has a cast iron cylinder, which ensures extra stability of the construction. When the lights are installed on a straight pole, common lighting poles may be used as well.
The traffic light pole surface is covered with a protective layer using hot dip galvanizing, which provides a service life of up to 25 years.
