Pointless motorway overhead messages

[trickstat]

On the M25 east before J26 - "EAST HERTS - REDUCE TRAVEL". Still busy though.

I presume those of us in Herts' other 9 districts have already reduced travel?

[EpicChef]

It's not cry wolf though, is it? Firstly it says "reports of" which means at least one person has called it to the Police or Highways England. Secondly, just because it's not seen by the poster, it doesn't mean it wasn't / isn't there.

It would be unwise to go back to "incident | slow down" without any specific message or, worst still, leave the VMS offline until confirmed.

Would "Cyclist reported" be a better wording than "Report of cyclist"? Genuine question, as I get why it's done but the wording has never sat right with me. Obviously difficult to fit anything meaningful on a 2 line gantry VMS, bit easier on a giant MS4 with pictogram.

Really on an MS4 we’d want a red triangle with a cycle inside it.

[fras]

I've seen similar coming off the M6 Toll. "WEST MIDS REDUCE TRAVEL", and "STAFFS REDUCE TRAVEL". Is it and order or an announcement. Pretty pointless, anyway.

[EpicChef]

“Reduce travel” has been replaced with Tier 2 Stay Local, Tier 3 Stay Local, or Tier 4 Stay Home.

[darkcape]

It's not cry wolf though, is it? Firstly it says "reports of" which means at least one person has called it to the Police or Highways England. Secondly, just because it's not seen by the poster, it doesn't mean it wasn't / isn't there.

It would be unwise to go back to "incident | slow down" without any specific message or, worst still, leave the VMS offline until confirmed.

Would "Cyclist reported" be a better wording than "Report of cyclist"? Genuine question, as I get why it's done but the wording has never sat right with me. Obviously difficult to fit anything meaningful on a 2 line gantry VMS, bit easier on a giant MS4 with pictogram.

I've seen several "Reports of..." recently including Fire, Obstruction, Stranded vehicle etc. At least giving some detail tells you what to look out for. I prefer it rather than some random incident which may or may not effect you.

[Big L]

This morning this sign was lit up with "Congestion at M6 J19 exit". Nothing south of there had anything similar. I was approximately where the green truck is when I saw the sign. I was waiting, in a perfectly normal everyday queue, to exit. At M6 J19.

[B4444]

This sign, M3 south approaching J7, has been 'broken' for at least 2 years. You can see an attempt was made to investigate (at least 2 years ago) but obviously to no avail. How much do these things cost?

[the cheesecake man]

Would "Cyclist reported" be a better wording than "Report of cyclist"?

No: the response might be "So what has this cyclist reported then?"

[Matthew]

This sign, M3 south approaching J7, has been 'broken' for at least 2 years. You can see an attempt was made to investigate (at least 2 years ago) but obviously to no avail. How much do these things cost?

If that's the case report it to Highways England and you'll get a response back. Being broken for two years does sound excessive, particularly as it appears to be the more modern version of the MS2s type.

[Matthew]

It's not cry wolf though, is it? Firstly it says "reports of" which means at least one person has called it to the Police or Highways England. Secondly, just because it's not seen by the poster, it doesn't mean it wasn't / isn't there.

It would be unwise to go back to "incident | slow down" without any specific message or, worst still, leave the VMS offline until confirmed.

Would "Cyclist reported" be a better wording than "Report of cyclist"? Genuine question, as I get why it's done but the wording has never sat right with me. Obviously difficult to fit anything meaningful on a 2 line gantry VMS, bit easier on a giant MS4 with pictogram.

Forgot to reply to this. Sorry Bryn.

"Report of" is singular, whereas "reported" could be a single or several sources. I take on board what you say about the two-line VMS (with the smallest sitting at 2 x 12 characters) but it's preferable to find a message that is consistent, regardless of type.

[Bryn666]

It's not cry wolf though, is it? Firstly it says "reports of" which means at least one person has called it to the Police or Highways England. Secondly, just because it's not seen by the poster, it doesn't mean it wasn't / isn't there.

It would be unwise to go back to "incident | slow down" without any specific message or, worst still, leave the VMS offline until confirmed.

Would "Cyclist reported" be a better wording than "Report of cyclist"? Genuine question, as I get why it's done but the wording has never sat right with me. Obviously difficult to fit anything meaningful on a 2 line gantry VMS, bit easier on a giant MS4 with pictogram.

Forgot to reply to this. Sorry Bryn.

"Report of" is singular, whereas "reported" could be a single or several sources. I take on board what you say about the two-line VMS (with the smallest sitting at 2 x 12 characters) but it's preferable to find a message that is consistent, regardless of type.

That makes sense, thanks Matthew.

[EpicChef]

The “REPORT OF [cyclist/pedestrian/animals etc.]” is relatively recent. IIRC, a few years ago standard practice was just to show “INCIDENT” until it is known exactly what it was. Then once confirmed it’s changed to “[cyclist/pedestrians/animals etc.] IN ROAD”.