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An Andalusian R&D company has developed and patented an innovative signpost using up-to-date technology in polymers. The best advantages are the reduction of costs and labor time with safety measures and eco-friendly to environment. They are looking for Joint Venture Agreements with companies that develop and provide products for transportation infrastructure that comply with public administration requirements.
An Andalusian R&D company has developed and patented
a new signpost system with safety measures in mind. It is a product with a new passive safety system
using up-to-date technology in polymers applied to vertical signposts and it is made of layers of
reinforced polymers tested according to passive security European Regulations. Its anchoring system
is a significant technical improvement due to its breakaway design in case of collision, with other
beneficial properties such as adaptability and reusability to all types of foundations.
The system
consists mainly of two sections. The first section is a “socket fuse” or breakaway system that
anchors the signpost to the foundation with a safety factor design and the second section is a
signpost manufactured of PVC (polyvinyl chloride material) reinforced with fiberglass. The 3 main
parts of the socket are moulded of reinforced polyamide and when assembled it is made up of a total
amount of approximately 22 parts. Basically there are 2 main procedures for installation of the
system. The first procedure is anchoring the socket to the foundation and second, the signpost is
glued into the socket making up the vertical support signing system.
The socket (first section) is
also compatible with current steel signposts, giving added values to the current system such as:
permitting re-use of foundation and better safety measures.
Innovative Aspects:
- Besides the
adaptability and reusability features of the system, it is compatible with steel plates and
aluminium traffic signs and can be used parallel to current metal signposts alike, but with an added
value in safety measures.
- The ease of application reflected from the multiple beneficial features
(adaptability, reusability, compatibility, etc...) of the system gives good savings for installation
procedures resulting in less work time. Besides the technical and economical benefits, more
advantages to be considered is the use of recyclable materials and lower energy consumption in the
manufacturing process, causing less environmental impact, and clearly important too, is the passive
safety features against collision due to its anchoring system (“socket fuse type").
- The
system, quantitatively speaking can be translated accordingly to the following figures:
- 66 %
lower global costs than current steel system counterpart
- 50 % less work time
But a considerable
value to be considered is safety and, we can assure, time will show its real benefits accordingly to
statistics of road casualties.
- Summing-up all the distinguishing characteristics of the system,
will give a good impact on liveability and certainly a big plus for sustainability for society.
Domain of Application
The system is visibly important, because it starts a new generation of vertical signaling,
basically possible due to the advanced polymer technology that company has and also due to new
European community regulations, admitting the use of polymers in the vertical signaling for traffic
guidance. Other similar regulations are now defining the different categories for passive safety and
in the near future it will be compulsory demanding for most public administration authorities’
safety measures (Protecting Man and Environment Status).
Stage of Development
Available for demonstration - field
tested
Exploitation of RTD Results
Private Research
IPR
Patent(s) granted
P200802564 (01/09/2008)
for Spain and PCT-ES-2009/000433 for International Patent.
Company Details
Type: Industry
Size: < 10
Collaboration Type
- Joint Venture Agreement
- New way to use an existing production line
- Transfer of knowledge in new raw materials
- Type of partner sought: Industry.
- Specific area of activity of the partner: products for road infrastructure.
- Task to be performed by the partner sought: Join Venture or Manufacturing agreement based on the new way, materials and processes for producing the new product according to other country needs and regulations.
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