Dear All
There are a variety of messages used in the UK which usually are low key
information/guidance such as "Don't Drink and Drive". This has the effect
of showing that the signs work, but also reinforcing important social
messages.
Recently when there was a strike by the Firefighters, the message was put up
on VMS nationally in England to drive carefully. Whilst self evident that
drivers must always drive carefully, it was a good reminder.
In Scotland, passive messages have been used for many years and remind
drivers of good practice (although anybody who drives should not have to be
reminded not to "Drive Whilst Tired").
In France, I have seen signs used for the time as well as giving details of
radio channels for traveller information.
The previous examples refer to motorways. In urban areas in the UK VMSs
tend to be used for the purpose for which they were installed eg park and
ride spaces, car park spaces. Hence, the passive state does not really
occur. Although I have not seen any examples, it would not surprise me that
if there were any passive times, the signs could be used for encouraging
drivers to use modes other than their car.
Local Government is always concerned about safe signing and therefore the
use of VMS for purposes other than their direct application is generally
avoided. As, if a sign (and hence legend) does not have an "approved"
purpose, it could be interpreted as an "obstruction" and if somebody
collides with it our legal friends could try and claim compensation from the
Authority that installed the sign. I'm not an expert on this facet of
signing, especially in the Brazilian context, but it would not surprise me
if someone in this newsgroup does know about such details.
Although I would not welcome this, I can envisage the day when the VMS could
be used for advertising as a means of providing revenue to support the
activities of Local Government.
Regards
Adrian
Dr Adrian Withill, Technical Director, WSP,
6 South Park Way, Wakefield 41 Business Park, Wakefield, WF2 OXJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1924 290484. Fax +44 (0) 1924368468. Mobile: +44 (0) 7970
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-----Original Message-----
From: Risto Kulmala [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 August 2004 09:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: VMS messages
I have found the practice of showing the time (hh:mm) as a useful one. This
has been used at least in France. If there is no message, the road user
does not know whether the system is down or that there is just no message
to display.
Regards, Risto Kulmala
At 14:02 21.8.2004 +0100, Alexandre Meirelles wrote:
>Dear Colleagues,
>
>We have recently implemented Variable Message Signs (VMS) in the city of
>Belo Horizonte (Brazil)and facing the following dilemma: what sort of
>messages we should display when there is no "traffic problems"; is it valid
>to display traffic education messages ? Or should the signs remain turned
>off ? Any suggestions, theoretical or state of practice literature will be
>very helpful.
>
>Tks.
>
>Alexandre Meirelles
>Traffic Control Manager
>BHTRANS - Belo Horizonte Transport and Traffic Authority
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