Quxiote Corporation
Where Technology Meets the Road
Quixote Corporation is the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of energy-absorbing highway crash cushions, electronic wireless sensing and measuring devices, weather forecasting stations, computerized highway advisory radio, intelligent intersection control systems, flexible post delineators and other transportation safety products and services. Since 1969 it is estimated that its crash cushions have saved over 50,000 lives worldwide and prevented countless injuries.
THE PROTECT AND DIRECT GROUP
A Tradition of Protecting and Directing
Quixote Corporation was founded in 1969 by Philip E. Rollhaus, Jr. and his associates in Chicago, Illinois. The Company’s first product was a patented energy-absorbing bumper for vehicles. In an innovative twist, Quixote’s founders decided to reformat that technology and developed the first crash cushion to place in front of roadside hazards.
With this decision, the highway crash cushion was born, ranging from the now-familiar yellow sand-filled barrels in front of roadside obstacles to the sophisticated QuadGuard® System, the latest in an ever-evolving line of crash cushions that protect motorists from the dangerous ends of guardrails and concrete median barriers, using advanced, energy-absorbing technology. This same technology has been adapted for use on the back of work vehicles in the form of truck-mounted attenuators to protect drivers and workers from potentially fatal rear-end impacts.
After its acquisition of Safe-Hit Corporation in 1993, the Company became a major supplier of flexible guide posts, portable sign systems, glare screens and retractable posts. These products play an important role in preventing collisions and helping to control traffic flow.
THE INFORM GROUP
Improving Transportation Safety Through Informing
Quixote has expanded over the years to embrace new solutions and technologies for the transportation safety market. These technologies collectively known as Intelligent Transportation Systems, or "ITS", are increasingly sought by departments of transportation to address traffic problems, such as congestion, and to reduce the number and severity of crashes. This expanded focus on technology not only allows the Company to enhance highway conditions by providing data and information, it also allows the Company to continue to strengthen and extend the application of its core products.
With its acquisition of Highway Information Systems, Inc. in April 1998, Quixote became a leading domestic provider of highway advisory radio (HAR) systems, also called traveler information stations. Usually located near a roadway or interstate, HAR systems, which can be trailer-mounted for mobility or permanently installed, are valued by an increasing number of state and local transportation agencies as the most efficient means of disseminating information to motorists. Through the use of flashing lights and message signs, motorists are warned of potential problems and instructed to tune to a dedicated AM radio band for further information. A live or prerecorded message provides information about traffic and weather conditions, construction delays, alternate routes or emergency services.
The acquisition in December 1998 of Nu-Metrics, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of electronic measuring devices for highway safety and traffic monitoring, enabled Quixote to introduce additional advanced ITS products into its core product offering. These products are distributed worldwide and include the Hi-Star® portable traffic counter used to measure traffic flow; the Groundhog®, a permanent, wireless, in-pavement traffic analyzer which transmits data on vehicle class, speed and volume; and the Nitestar®, a vehicle-installed distance measuring system used by highway departments, utilities, and cable and telephone companies. These products are used in a number of applications to monitor traffic patterns not only on highways, but also in shopping malls and parking complexes.
Another strategic transaction for Quixote was its acquisition of Surface Systems, Inc. ("SSI") in 2001. SSI is the premier provider of Road and Runway Weather information Systems (RWIS) in the United States. RWIS systems are used to collect pavement and weather information that enhances the ability of government agencies and airports to make critical decisions including when and where to plow and salt roads, and whether or not to close runways. SSI's RWIS integrates proprietary in-ground road sensors with above ground atmospheric sensors, resulting in highly accurate weather information gathering capabilities.
THE INTERSECTION CONTROL GROUP
Improving intersection safety
In 2003 Quixote expanded into the traffic control market through its acquisitions of U.S. Traffic Corporation and Peek Traffic Corporation, based in Palmetto, Florida. As a result of these acquisitions Quixote is now a major presence in the traffic control and data collection markets with a broad range of products including traffic signals, pedestrian flashing displays, electronic traffic controllers, traffic conflict monitors, advanced vehicle counters/classifiers, video detection systems, and UPS power backup systems for intersections. Many of these products are state-of-the-art for the industry. For example, its traffic signals with light emitting diodes or "LED" lights are energy efficient, reliable and cost-effective, offering an attractive alternative to standard traffic signal lights. The acquisitions also diversified the Company's customer base into the municipal and county markets which these products serve, complementing Quixote's already strong market leadership at the state level.
Quixote operates manufacturing facilities in Pell City, Alabama; Palmetto, Florida; Uniontown and Bedford, Pennsylvania; Durham, North Carolina and St. Louis, Missouri. Another facility in Rocklin, California is an engineering and research center which has an onsite test track, allowing the Company to conduct its own full-scale crash tests. Quixote’s headquarters are in Chicago.
Quixote thrives today as a global enterprise, continuing to introduce new products around the world to meet the rising public demand for greater roadway safety. The Company and its products are successfully meeting the challenge of achieving a safer, more cost-efficient infrastructure system for future generations by bringing new technologies and innovations to our roadways. Quixote truly is "Where Technology Meets the Road".
