11Horizontal banners#

11.1Location#

Careful consideration should be given to whether project banners are appropriate and, if so, where to place the banner. Potentially unsafe locations, such as locations requiring manoeuvres or with poor sight distance, should be avoided, as should locations that would require closure or restriction of a major travel route during installation / removal. Such locations usually have significant traffic management costs and, thus, may not be appropriate.

If a banner is selected for use on an overpass, the following apply:

  • a) the banner should be centrally positioned over the traffic lanes to minimise the need for drivers to look 'away' from the road
  • b) the banner shall be suitably affixed to the bridge structure to prevent movement or detachment in strong winds (see Section 11.3 for further guidance), and
  • c) the banner shall not hang below the bridge superstructure to which it is attached.

If the banner is to be freestanding, it is to be supported by posts specifically designed for use as banner supports.

11.2Design#

The following requirements and recommendations apply to project recognition horizontal banners:

  • a) Shall be weatherproof, UV-resistant, and exhibit good tear resistance, such that propagation of any tears is minimal and are less than 100 mm from the source
  • b) Procurement of project recognition signs shall consider circular economy and waste management hierarchy (where feasible, source signs made from recycled materials and that are recyclable at the end of project):
  • i. upon decommission, recyclable signs should be transported to a waste recycler
  • ii. if recycling or re use is not feasible, dispose to landfill, and
  • iii. the party charged with removal of the project recognition signs (district, project or Maintenance Contractor) shall record the waste and its destination in their respective waste register.
  • c) Shall use fonts as noted in the appropriate TC template
  • d) Font heights shall be as follows:
  • i. low speed roads (70 km/h or less) use a minimum font height of 240 mm, or
  • ii. high speed roads (80 km/h and greater) use a minimum font height of 300 mm.
  • e) Should be no greater than 10 m in width, and
  • f) Shall not have depth greater than the depth of the overpass structure if mounted over traffic lanes. The depth of the banner is determined by the structural fixing points and design arrangements.

See Appendix A3 for information on design examples and approvals.

11.3Structural requirements#

Project recognition horizontal banners must comply with the following:

  1. a)Advice shall be sought from a suitably competent RPEQ engineer to determine the appropriate fixing mechanism and points when attaching to overpasses (including attaching to safety barriers or balustrades on the overpass). A safety release mechanism at a lower wind speed is not acceptable if the banner will impede the traffic.
  2. b)The design wind loading shall be for an average recurrence interval of 20 years in accordance with AS/NZS 1170.2.
  3. c)The design shall be certified by an RPEQ engineer and shall provide for:
  4. i.the effects of additional loading on the bridge superstructure (for example, balustrade)
  5. ii.design of all attachments and fixings, and
  6. iii.design of banner (materials and features, not what is displayed on the banner).
  7. d)Banners on bridges or overpasses shall be inspected by the certifying RPEQ in the presence of Transport and Main Roads officers at the following times:
  8. i.immediately after installation to verify compliance with the design
  9. ii.at regular intervals, not exceeding 6 months, to confirm the condition of the fabric of the banner, release mechanisms, and support brackets, and to check for any visible indications of fatigue, and
  10. iii.immediately after severe wind gust events or on activation of the release links.
  11. e)Banners shall be maintained in good condition for the entire period of service by the applicant. Any banner which becomes torn, faded, or otherwise damaged is to be removed and replaced immediately.
  12. f)If any attachment fails, an assessment shall be undertaken and assessed by the designing RPEQ, with appropriate action taken to ensure the integrity of the banner, and
  13. g)Banner supports absorbing oscillating motion shall be replaced at least every 7 years or sooner if evidence of failure is observed.

For further guidance on the structural design requirements for horizontal banners, contact Transport and Main Roads trafficengineering.support@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Source: Project Recognition Signs Guideline · pages 12–14 Open PDF at this page Search this document