Beacon
The Leitbake (also known as a warning beacon or barrier beacon ) is a traffic sign and barrier device that is used to point out an obstacle in the road or at the edge of the road and to guide them past it accordingly. Beacons are used to secure workplaces on roads as well as to mark permanent obstacles or other danger points (similar to a signpost ).
In order to improve the traffic-guiding effect , the beacons have a striking color scheme with hatching sloping to the side. Temporary beacons are usually made of plastic, but permanently installed beacons are made of metal.
Definition
The term "Leitbake" is listed in the German road traffic regulations. There it belongs to the traffic facilities as sign 605 according to § 43 . In Austria or Switzerland, on the other hand, the beacon is not specifically mentioned as a traffic sign in the road traffic regulations.
The term “warning beacon” is commonly equated with the term “Leitbake”. However, the German road traffic regulations separate these two terms. Warning beacons therefore have larger dimensions than guide beacons. The term “barrier beacon” is often used in everyday language, but there is no official definition of the term.
So-called “guide plates” or “guide pillars” are also assigned to the guide beacons. They have the same function as beacons, but differ in their shape.
Components and colors
Beacons are used worldwide and often have a country-specific shape and color due to the various norms and standards. Basically, beacons consist of a beacon body (hollow body or sheet metal) and a mounting device (base plate or tubular post). In Germany, a beacon base is usually used for installation . The beacon body shows warning hatching on one or both sides that slopes down to the side. In order to improve night visibility, the beacon is usually designed to be retroreflective .
application
Beacons are only suitable for longitudinal barriers or longitudinal guidance on roadways. Beacons may not be used to cordon off or prevent falls on cycle paths and sidewalks. Depending on the requirements or traffic situation, beacons are also equipped with warning lights . In individual cases, a warning beacon is also set up as an advance warning device. Smaller guide beacons can be used to clarify guide barriers and guide walls.
The hatching of the warning beacons always slopes down towards the traffic area. In the examples shown below, traffic flows past the beacon on the left. In practice, however, there are often incorrectly set up warning beacons with incorrect hatching direction.
Arrow beacons have been in use in Austria and Switzerland for a long time. They should make the traffic management even better for the vehicle driver. Arrow beacons were used on a trial basis in Germany in 2007 and were included in the road traffic regulations in 2009.
- Beacons in DA-CH
Leitbake (warning beacon)
Arrow beacon
Guide threshold with beacon
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Figures according to German road traffic regulations. Execution in Austria and Switzerland, however, very similar.
Norms and standards
- Germany
- Guidelines for Securing Workplaces on Roads (RSA 95)
- Additional technical contractual conditions for safety work at workplaces on roads (ZTV-SA 97)
- Technical delivery conditions for beacons and warning beacons (TL-Leitbaken 97)
- Austria
- RVS 05.05.40 - Construction site protection
- Switzerland
- SN 640 885c - Signalization of construction sites on motorways and motorways
