Traffic Signal Backplates
Visibility is one of the most crucial pieces to road safety. That's why we take the time to cover all the possible needs of a project. Designed to properly shield a traffic signal from background obstructions, backplates provide a dark silhouette that isolates the signal face, keeping it clear of environmental conditions that can dim the brilliance of the light indications. Read more about traffic signal backplates below and reach out for a personalized quote!
About Backplates
Benefits
- Enhance signal visibility by creating a contrast
- Customize for any signal configuration
- Compatible with standard and programmable signal heads
- Standard and custom color options
Standard Features
- Accommodates 8″, 12″, cluster and combination signal heads
- 5″ or 8″ borders
- Aluminum: louvered, non-louvered; ABS: non-louvered
- Optional use of reflective tape on aluminum louvered and non-louvered styles
General Specifications
- Dimensions: varies based on signal configuration
- Material: Aluminum, ABS and ACM
- Finish(es): Aluminum or ABS
- Color(s): Face – Flat Black; Back – Federal Yellow, Signal Green, Black or custom colors
- Mounting: MAS and standard
- Weight: varies based on signal configuration
Backplates with Retroreflective Borders
Backplates added to a traffic signal head improve the visibility of the illuminated face of the signal by introducing a controlled-contrast background. The improved visibility of a signal head with a backplate is made even more conspicuous by framing it with a 1- to 3-inch yellow retroreflective border. Signal heads that have backplates equipped with retroreflective borders are more visible and conspicuous in both daytime and nighttime conditions.
This treatment is recognized as a human factors enhancement of traffic signal visibility, conspicuity, and orientation for both older and color vision deficient drivers. This countermeasure is also advantageous during periods of power outages when the signals would otherwise be dark, providing a visible cue for motorists to stop at the intersection ahead.
Considerations
Transportation agencies should consider backplates with retroreflective borders as part of their efforts to systematically improve safety performance at signalized intersections. Adding a retroreflective border to an existing signal backplate is a very low-cost safety treatment. This can be done by either adding retroreflective tape to an existing backplate or purchasing a new backplate with a retroreflective border already incorporated. The most efficient means of implementing this proven safety countermeasure is to adopt it as a standard treatment for signalized intersections across a jurisdiction or state.
Implementation challenges include minimizing installation time, accessing existing signal heads, and structural limitations due to added wind load in instances where an entire backplate is added. Agencies should consider the design of the existing signal support structure to determine if the design is sufficient to support the added wind load.
Read this 3M article to learn more about traffic signal backplates