HIGHWAYS AGE N CY DESIGN PRINCIPLES OF LEGENDS VMS legends must be suitable for all drivers to read, and due to limited availability shall focus on providing information that benefits the largest number of customers using the road network. A risk based approach has been taken to ensure that all legends and guiding principles found within this policy document are appropriate for use. Research carried out in 2010 by Nottingham University on behalf of the Highways Agency has proven that it is appropriate to display legends on fixed VMS which contain a maximum of 7 pieces of information, using an absolute maximum of 10 words, although best practice is that legends should be restricted to a maximum of 8 words. Portable VMS are located on a verge, and not above a carriageway. Due to this all legends shown on portable VMS shall not contain more than 4 units of information as the verge location limits the amount of time drivers have to read and absorb the information displayed. Volume 8, Section 2 (TD33/05) of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) provides more detailed guidance on the maximum number of words which are permitted for use in VMS legends. A piece of information can contain more than one word . For example 'HARD SHOULDER ' and 'JCT 25' each represent one piece of information but contain two words. When constructing legends the order and principle of LPEG shall be followed, although not all of the 4 principles are required for every legend -for example tactical legends mainly focus on the Problem (ACCIDENT ) and Guidance (SLOW DOWN). Location - Where is the problem? (M6 J32/M25 J20-21) Problem - What is the problem? (Accident/Major Event/Closed) Effect- What has the problem caused? (Delays/Long Delays/45 MIN DELAY) Guidance- What should be done? (Slow Down/Use M1/Follow Diversion) The TSRGD prescribes how flashing amber lamps are to be used to support certain VMS legends. Flashing amber lamps should only be used in tactical legends which contain an imperative i.e. SLOW DOWN, and also in strategic legends which detail a full motorway closure.All other legends should not use flashing amber lights. The flashing red and amber elements of a variable signal shall only be used as described in Schedule 11 of the TSRGD . Highways Agency policy for the use of Variable Signs and Signals (VSS) V 1.01 An executive •gcncy of the Dep<At tmem f or
HIGHWAYS AGENCY ANNEX A: TYPES OF SIGNS AND SIGNALS The types of VSS available on motorway and trunk road carriageways can be broadly subdivided into six categories as follows : MS1 -found as: post mounted central reservation matrix ; gantry mounted matrix over each lane; or post mounted entry slip road matrix. Though the functionality is much the same , it should be noted that both gantry and entry slip road signals are capable of displaying mandatory signals. This is not the case on the central reservation matrix; EMS & MS2 -these are 2x12 or 3x18 character message signs that can be either gantry or cantilever mounted. Cantilever signs often have an equivalent of a matrix signal incorporated on the end of the sign. MS3 -these are either 2x16 or 3x18 character message signs normally cantilever mounted. Some have an equivalent of a matrix signal incorporated as part of the sign , (i.e. reducing the sign to 2x12 or 3x14 when in use); MS4- these are either configured as 2x12 or 4x15 character message signs and are normally cantilever mounted, they can be configured to include the ability to display matrix signals and to show pictograms; Portable VMS (pVMS) -these are either 2x12 or 4x12 character message signs which can be transported to required locations as and when required; Traffic Officer vehicles also contain a small Variable Message Panel which have the capability to display legends to drivers. These legends and the criteria for use can be found in Annex C.14. Highways Agency policy for the use of Variable Signs and Signals (VSS) V 1.01
AGENCY C.12 NO FUEL AT MOTORWAY SERVICE AREA LEGENDS L1 L2 L3 The variable element of L1(*)will display one of the below within each legend: "DIESEL AT", "FUEL AT", "LPG AT" , "LRP AT", PETROL AT" or "UNLEADED AT" The variable element of L2 (*)will display one of the below within each legend: BALDOCK BIRCHANGER GREEN BOLTON WEST BURTON-IN-K ENDAL CHARNOCK RICHARD CHESTER CLACKET LANE DONCASTER NORTH DURHAM FERRYBRIDGE FRANKLEY HARTSHEAD MOOR HILTON PARK KEELE KNUTSFORD LEICESTER FOREST E LONDON GATEWAY MEDWAY MICHAELWOOD NORTHAMPTON OXFORD PETERBOROUGH ROWNHAMS SEDGEMOOR SOUTH MIMMS STAFFORD TAMWORTH TEBAY THURROCK TODDINGTON WARWICK WATFORD GAP WOODALL BIRCH BLYTH BRIDGWATER BURTONWOOD CHERWELL VALLEY CHIEVELEY CORLEY DONINGTON EXETER FLEET GORDANO HESTON HOPWOOD PARK KILLINGTON LAKE LANCASTER (FORTON) LEIGH DELAMERE MAINDSTONE MEMBURY NEWPORT PAGNELL NORTON CANES PEASE POTTAGE READING SANDBACH SEVERN VIEW SOUTHWAITE STRENSHAM TAUNTON DEANE TELFORD TIBSHELF TROWELL WASHING TON W INCHESTER WOOLLEY EDGE The variable element of line L3 (*) will first display either "SERVICES" or "SVCS", a blank character and then one of the below: A* J* M* J* An example of an acceptable legend is: Highways Agency policy for the use of Variable Signs and Signals (VSS) V 1.01