Industry Solutions

What does it take to be a Safety Solutions Provider?

It takes Commitment to Innovation

It takes Recognition of the Challenge

It takes Experience

Today, Americans of all ages drive more cars and trucks, more miles on more daily trips than ever before, which in turn generates more traffic.  This growth not only creates continual wear and tear on our highway system, it directly impacts the safety of drivers and pedestrians.  In addition, intersection crashes and pedestrian fatalities have also increased exponentially, primarily because of inadequate stopping distances, driver distractions, and impaired visibility at crossings.  These accidents could be significantly reduced with well-delineated lanes, paths and crossings that interface with commerce and schools. Improving contrast sensitivity, distance perception and color recognition in all weather conditions will decrease some of the major causes of crashes and fatalities for all age drivers.

Over 30% of the 43,000 annual traffic deaths occur because of factors relating to roadway infrastructure.  Since 1990, five times more Americans (3million) have lost their lives on our roads than in all wars combined (600,000).  Roadways and poorly marked lane departures account for a majority of these deaths, especially on two lane rural roads.

Highway safety is essential for mobility, economic growth and quality of life.  Through the use of updated technology, congestion and lane interruption can be minimized without sacrificing safety.  Ennis provides the highest quality durable pavement markings that allow all maintenance and construction crews to "get in, get out and stay out."

Rail Road Crossings
The Mission of Ennis is to contribute its resources to provide innovative solutions for continued roadway safety.  The Ennis team is committed to improving highway safety and continues to influence the industry through technology, policy and education. The United States Congress recognizes the dangers associated with railroad crossings and set aside funds from the Highway Safety Improvement program (HSIP), for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings.  The Federal Highway Administration provides guidance in he Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that pavement markings at highway-rail grade crossings should be used on paved low volume roads...particularly if they are already deployed at most other highway rail grade crossings within the immediate vicinity, or when the roadway has center line markings. 

Tollways
Toll plazas and toll roads present unique safety challenges for the motoring public and the agencies that administer them.  Ennis has developed high friction and colored surface treatments to prevent skidding accidents and calm traffic in plaza approaches and exits.  With the development of the 980 Marker and Durable Profiled Marking, Ennis helps to mitigate lane departures and run off the road accidents.

Municipalities
Municipalities have unique requirements all to their own due to the high volume of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well as multiple stops and starts.  Various vehicular traffic and weather conditions further contribute to the challenges. Of prime importance is clear delineation and demarcations to protect pedestrians under distracting conditions requiring immediate reaction and response.  It is critical that drivers have clear and highly conspicuous markings and advance warning to help eliminate crashes and pedestrian deaths.

Airports
Airport runways and taxiways are consistently under attack from the tires of landing airplanes.  Ennis has formulated highly durable paints and plural component markings that provide clear guidance to both aircraft and ground personnel.  High friction surface treatments assure pedestrian safety and vehicular guidance on crosswalks and approaches to the terminal areas.

High Risk Rural Roads
According to the Federal Highway Administration, rural roads account for 57% of all fatalities.  These fatalities are due to sharp curves, lack of shoulders, absence of road markings and inconsistent signing.  Sign and pavement marking improvements result in a a 42% reduction in crashes yielding benefit-cost ratios of 159:1 to 299:1, according to the “Low Cost Local and Road Safety Solutions” guide published by ATSSA.

Safe Routes to Schools
The United States Congress has made Safe Routes to Schools a priority in transportation legislation.  Numerous studies have been conducted that advocate the increased use of warning signs and pavement markings as low cost solutions that greatly improve pedestrian and vehicular safety in school zones.  Ennis portfolio of durable pavement markings provides information directly in the driver’s line of sight.

Parking Lots
By one industry group’s estimate, there are more than 105 million parking stalls in the United States.  Local, state and federal laws regulate the width, length, parking angle, as well as the number and location of disabled parking stalls. Parking lots do not receive the same wear and tear that highways do but still have their own unique situations that require economical solutions for their pavement marking needs.  As with roadways, most parking lots are paved with either concrete or asphalt.  Deciding on which marking material to use depends on several factors including cost, environmental regulations, whether or not the material needs to dry fast in order to minimize parking tie ups, determining if the markings are going to be exposed to daily watering, whether the surface is aged or new, asking if the markings are going to be subjected to automobile turns.  The answers to these questions will dictate what material to use.  From waterbase traffic paint to fast cure epoxy, Ennis has the marketing material for every parking situation.

Work Zones
Construction and Striping Work Zones are an industry necessity if the estimated 4M miles of national roadways are to be maintained. These work zones can be stationary or moving, active during the day or night, and last from several hours to several years. In any given year, there are as many as 3,000 active work zones during the peak striping season. Unfortunately, on average there are one thousand work zone fatalities that occur annually. Ennis recognizes the need for clear driver comprehension of lane change and speed reduction in work zones. Ennis has developed temporary work zone marking materials that can minimize worker exposure to traffic hazards and contribute to the driver's clearer understanding of the work zone environment. From the Model 80 raised pavement marker to HPS6 thin mil MMA, Ennis has a work zone marking material for any project.