New software from Buchanan Computing allows designers to make traffic sign supports considerably cheaper whilst at the same time improving their passive safety. The latest updates to SignPlot 2 and SignLoad Professional implement the wind loading calculations from BS EN 1991-1-4 (part of Eurocode 1), which result in a more accurate, and generally much lower, wind pressure than the alternative method in the traffic sign standard BS EN 12899-1. This in turn allows posts and foundations to be smaller and therefore both cheaper and less likely to cause injury to vehicle occupants in the event of a collision.

For example, a sign in a London borough, three square metres in area mounted above a footway would be designed under EN 12899 to withstand a basic wind pressure of 1000 N/m² and require two 114 mm diameter steel supports. These would not meet the passive safety requirements for a high-speed road or one with a history of loss of control accidents.

Using the new software, selecting the authority, altitude and distance from the coast gives a pressure of 550 N/m², for which the same sign requires two posts of only 89 mm diameter, 3 mm wall thickness. These supports are crash friendly under the passive safety standard EN 12767 and require no protection. The foundation also reduces in size to less than half its previous volume.

The new software follows closely the methods explained in the IHIE Sign Structures Guide, which has become the definitive reference for UK sign support design, but makes them quick and simple to apply, even for non specialists. It caters for every local authority in UK and Ireland.

SignLoad Professional is a stand-alone sign structure design program covering supports, foundations (both spread and planted), and sign face stiffening (channel spacing) for a variety of substrate materials. It is the only software that checks for compliance with passive safety requirements.

SignPlot 2 adds traffic sign face design, with a considerable degree of automation to make the process quick and accurate for both new and experienced users. Other new features in SignPlot 2.40 include high quality bitmap images of signs, checking of arm widths on map-type signs and automatic spacing around backing boards in accordance with Chapter 7 of the Traffic Signs Manual.

ends

Click here for more information on SignLoad.

Further information:
Simon Morgan
020 8846 3220
sales@BuchananComputing.co.uk

Further information:

Simon Morgan 
sales@BuchananComputing.co.uk
020 8846 3220 

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