What Are These?

BillHicksRIP · 6 Sep 2011 at 14:48

On motorway signs at exits there are sometimes a collection of shapes. Triangles, circles, squares etc., usually black, with an orange background. What info are they displaying?
By the sides of roads, these are poles which have an orange 'roof' on the top, usually about 6-foot high. What do these do?

Morgoth · 6 Sep 2011 at 14:49

I've wondered about those shapes!

I think the poles with a roof are for surveying though.

misterPK · 6 Sep 2011 at 14:52

1) Marked out alternative routes should diversions be needed.

2) Markers where buried gas pipelines are.

Morgoth · 6 Sep 2011 at 14:53

misterPK said:
2) Markers where buried gas pipelines are.

Mind = Blown

DJMK4 · 6 Sep 2011 at 14:56

Whilst we are on the subject of "What are these"

Anyone see the traffic officer 4x4's on the motorway, they always have that container thing on the roof which is like a cylinder shape.

What do these do?

Cosimo · 6 Sep 2011 at 14:56

Morgoth said:
Mind = Blown

Now you lnow where to look.

SickAsAParrot · 6 Sep 2011 at 15:15

DJMK4 said:
Whilst we are on the subject of "What are these"

Anyone see the traffic officer 4x4's on the motorway, they always have that container thing on the roof which is like a cylinder shape.

What do these do?

Rocket propelled grenade

fidget · 6 Sep 2011 at 15:32

misterPK said:
1) Marked out alternative routes should diversions be needed.

2) Markers where buried gas pipelines are.

This ^^

1) is offically known as Tactical Diversion Routes or Emergency Diversion routes - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-Network_Tactical_Diversion_Route

2) The markers are designed to follow oil and gas pipelines from the air (helicopter)

Richie · 6 Sep 2011 at 17:07

DJMK4 said:
Whilst we are on the subject of "What are these"

Anyone see the traffic officer 4x4's on the motorway, they always have that container thing on the roof which is like a cylinder shape.

What do these do?

You mean the ANPR cameras?

They scan number plates as people drive past them which is why they are mostly always facing the rear. Flags up uninsured/untaxed/unMOT'd cars as well as stolen cars and other "cars of interest"

Aero · 6 Sep 2011 at 17:33

As has already been said,Tactical diversion route symbols, they're either a solid square, triangle, circle or diamond + the hollow versions as well. You will often see the "flap signs" in advance of them - these are the grey signs that fold out when the road is closed.

+ gas lines usually quite big ones too!

Funnily enough I've dealt with both this week.