New Motorway Signal Mk 4 signalling

Matt_EA_A14 · Post by **Matt_EA_A14** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 00:31

Has anyone come across this document on the Highways Agency website? http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/ms4/index.htmIt contains details of a new motorway VMS system, intended to increase legibility by providing warning pictograms as well as text.
In my opinion the new system seems to be a vast improvement on current motorway variable message signing - it's clear, uses acknowledged signing conventions, and is even capable of displaying messages in the Transport font (major plus)!
What do others think of theMS4?
Matt

Mediaman_12 · Post by **Mediaman_12** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 14:02

At last. Why are we always ages behind everybody else, they seam to have had these sort of 'high tec' signs in Germany for ages http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/elec.htm.
But where are these going to be used? Most of the major motorway network already has the older type huge single colour dot matrix signs. I can see the HA starting replacing the older ones, so are these new clearer & better ones going to end up on less important sections?

Chris5156 · Post by **Chris5156** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 17:41

Matt: <<Has anyone come across this document on the Highways Agency website?>>
Yes, it's been online for about a year or more now. I thought everyone had seen it or I'd mentioned or something, apparently not!
mediaman_12: <<At last. Why are we always ages behind everybody else, they seam to have had these sort of 'high tec' signs in Germany for ages >>

I think that's a rather sweeping generalisation!

The German signs are way behind the MS4 in terms of technology, and indeed behind what we've had for many years. Variable speed limits are a feature of the M25 already, computer controlled as the German ones are. Many of the functions of these German VMS are already carried out by our older signals too - changes in speed limit, even lane closures and fog warnings. Besides, are there any countries other than Germany with such an advanced system?

Ages behind is a bit wrong as well - the small signals found in the central reservation of motorways (MS1) have been around since the late 1960's, which is probably decades longer than any other country's system. Other big driving countries have nothing to match them yet. Italy has textual VMS, but they're only placed before major exits and not regularly. Most of their roads don't have them at all. In the US you can't even expect emergency phones anywhere, let alone computer operated signals by the roadside.

<<But where are these going to be used? Most of the major motorway network already has the older type huge single colour dot matrix signs. I can see the HA starting replacing the older ones, so are these new clearer & better ones going to end up on less important sections?>>

I don't think so. The MS4 are being tested on the M4 somewhere around Reading and Hungerford I think (or they will be soon). Widespread installation will apparently begin in 2003 and roads like the M45 will certainly not be the first to get them! Places with the MS3 (big text VMS) won't be first to get replaced though. I was banging my head on the dashboard when i realised the HA are currently fitting MS3's all the way up the M1 - surely this should be first in line for new signals if its current ones are in need of replacement and an extra year wouldn't have mattered!

Finally, as an Englishman I'd like to blow a raspberry to Scotland and Wales since this is a Highways Agency thing and it'll only be appearing in England!

Chris

crobzub · Post by **crobzub** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 09:27

I reckon they should be placed in the central reservation - you only need half the poles to raise them up, if two (in opposite direction, of course) share a pole.

PeterA5145 · Post by **PeterA5145** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 10:07

<<I reckon they should be placed in the central reservation - you only need half the poles to raise them up, if two (in opposite direction, of course) share a pole.>>

Would make maintenance more difficult - also there may not be room for the foundations in the central reservation.

Drivers also tend to look for signs on the left of the carriageway, not the right.

I don't think shortage of space for roadside gantry poles is a major problem on the motorway network.

Regards,

Peter

ndp · Post by **ndp** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 12:10

Sorry to burst your bubble, but they'll have them on the M4 is South Wales before thet're rolled out in England:
http://www.traffic-wales.com/links/messagesigns.htm

Steve Howarth · Post by **Steve Howarth** » Sun Nov 17, 2002 14:05

Will these new signs also display the message "END" after 30 miles of uninterrupted, incident-free motorway driving?
Steve Howarth

Grantster · Post by **Grantster** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 21:42

> Finally, as an Englishman I'd like to blow a raspberry to Scotland and Wales since this is a Highways Agency thing and it'll only be appearing in England!

We haven't even got MS1 here in Scotland, they're still not "legal tender". Hence the new A74(M) bits have had the old two lamp warning signals installed!

Chris Bertram · Post by **Chris Bertram** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 20:03

Surely they'll need to be twice the size in Wales to do everything in both languages

IJP1 · Post by **IJP1** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 21:03

Wisely you didn't mention NI there, Chris, since we're also getting them!
I.

M4Simon · Post by **M4Simon** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 22:18

Chris Bertram: <<Surely they'll need to be twice the size in Wales to do everything in both languages

>>
Quite right, too

Welcome back, Chris, it's good to see you posting again !
Simon