Charlotte-based Carolina Traffic Devices Inc. will now offer portable traffic signals from North America Traffic (NAT) to its road-building customers.

Charlotte-based Carolina Traffic Devices Inc. will now offer portable traffic signals from North America Traffic (NAT) to its road-building customers.

Chris Mahar, sales manager, announced that his firm has secured its appointment as NAT's authorized dealer for North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Jordan Sherlock, general manager of North America Traffic, confirms that Carolina Traffic Devices will represent NAT's complete line of portable signals and AFADs (automated flagger assistance devices) throughout the region.

Carolina Traffic Devices has served the road and bridge construction industry since 2003, providing a wide range of DOT-approved work zone barriers and K-rails, message signs and crash attenuators. Its rental fleet, including more than 60 mi. (96 km) of barrier walls, is stockpiled throughout its service territory for rapid response to customer needs. “It was a customer's request for portable signals that first put us in touch with NAT,” Mahar said. “These signals are a great addition to our tool belt for contractors. We looked at all the choices and saw that NAT produces the best signals, and at a very reasonable price.”

Simple Set-up

and Control

Mahar notes the simplicity of NAT's solar-powered signals as an important advantage for both customers and for his own service staff. “The controllers are very intuitive, so the training for set-up and operation is easy. The signals allow flexible set-ups, too. Any one of the units can be designated as primary for synchronizing with the other units and you can swap them around as you need between sites and applications.”

Sherlock expects that the NAT signals will quickly become a common sight on construction projects in the area. “We have had our eye on this part of the country – it had been in a downturn for a while but 2016 was a good year for road builders. The region has a lot of water, so there's a lot of bridge work to do. Our signals are a particularly good fit for controlling lane closures for bridge maintenance and construction.”

Mahar sees more potential for portable signals with his other customers including airports, race tracks, military bases and nuclear power plants. “Utility companies also like NAT's smaller portable units — one service technician can pull a pair of signals behind a pick-up, then set-up, complete the job and move on to the next one quickly. The controllers also work well on sites where they are putting pipe in. One person can see the whole set-up and operate the signals from a safe distance.”

Service for Safety

NAT also earned Mahar's approval for field support. “These signals are built well, so they will last, and their support is the best of any product we own,” said Mahar. “We had a call at 2:00 a.m. about a problem with a flagger unit. Someone will answer the phone at NAT 24/7, and you'll talk to someone who is knowledgeable. They will take calls anytime from our staff or from our customer to keep the jobsite operational and safe.”

For more information, visit www.northamericatraffic.com.

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