Menu
08/10/2003
Hi-tech road signs to put motorists in the picture
Brand new road signs that display pictures as well as text to inform motorists about road conditions and incidents on the motorway network were switched on today by Transport Minister Kim Howells.
It is the first time that such hi-tech picture signs will be used in the UK. They are being trialled on the M4 between junctions 12 at Theale and 14 at Hungerford before being installed elsewhere on the motorway network.
The signs will provide motorists with images about road conditions including high winds, snow and skidding. They will also indicate accidents, advisory speed limits and details of any lane closures.
The trial is expected to last until December 2004. It will monitor driver reaction and behaviour in response to the signs, assess the technical performance of the signs' and their effectiveness in terms of safety levels, appraise the new maintenance access for the signs, and determine if any further design improvements are needed.
The Minister also visited a £38.5 million scheme to build an underpass on the A34 at Chieveley. The underpass will take traffic under the M4 motorway at Junction 13 - tackling congestion between Newbury and Oxford as well as easing disruption for drivers using the M4.
The Minister said: "Providing motorists with prompt and accurate information about road conditions is essential for the smooth running of the network and making journeys safer and more reliable. These innovative signs can be understood at a glance and will assist drivers on their journey - allowing them to react and adapt to changeable road conditions."
The picture displays are consistent with those used across Europe and will also help foreign drivers using Britain's motorways and road networks.
(gmcg)
It is the first time that such hi-tech picture signs will be used in the UK. They are being trialled on the M4 between junctions 12 at Theale and 14 at Hungerford before being installed elsewhere on the motorway network.
The signs will provide motorists with images about road conditions including high winds, snow and skidding. They will also indicate accidents, advisory speed limits and details of any lane closures.
The trial is expected to last until December 2004. It will monitor driver reaction and behaviour in response to the signs, assess the technical performance of the signs' and their effectiveness in terms of safety levels, appraise the new maintenance access for the signs, and determine if any further design improvements are needed.
The Minister also visited a £38.5 million scheme to build an underpass on the A34 at Chieveley. The underpass will take traffic under the M4 motorway at Junction 13 - tackling congestion between Newbury and Oxford as well as easing disruption for drivers using the M4.
The Minister said: "Providing motorists with prompt and accurate information about road conditions is essential for the smooth running of the network and making journeys safer and more reliable. These innovative signs can be understood at a glance and will assist drivers on their journey - allowing them to react and adapt to changeable road conditions."
The picture displays are consistent with those used across Europe and will also help foreign drivers using Britain's motorways and road networks.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 October 2015
Reward Offered In 2010 Murder Of 16-Year-Old
A reward of £20,000 has been offered for information leading to a conviction for the 2010 murder of 16-year-old Samuel Adelagun in Plaistow. Police have renewed their appeal on the murder of the teenager and the attempted murder of his 15-year-old friend on Saturday, 23 October 2010.
Reward Offered In 2010 Murder Of 16-Year-Old
A reward of £20,000 has been offered for information leading to a conviction for the 2010 murder of 16-year-old Samuel Adelagun in Plaistow. Police have renewed their appeal on the murder of the teenager and the attempted murder of his 15-year-old friend on Saturday, 23 October 2010.
18 November 2013
Call For Drivers To Tune In To Road Safety
A national campaign launched today by the charity Brake at the start of Road Safety Week calls on drivers to tune in to road safety, to prevent appalling crashes caused by multi-tasking at the wheel.
Call For Drivers To Tune In To Road Safety
A national campaign launched today by the charity Brake at the start of Road Safety Week calls on drivers to tune in to road safety, to prevent appalling crashes caused by multi-tasking at the wheel.
11 October 2004
New motorway signs pilot urges drivers to 'keep left'
The Highways Agency has begun a week-long pilot for two new motorway message signs which are designed to urge safer and better use of road capacity. Two new safety messages - urging motorway drivers to 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' and 'Don't Hog the Middle Lane' – have been in use on the M1, M6, M18 and M62 from 10am this morning.
New motorway signs pilot urges drivers to 'keep left'
The Highways Agency has begun a week-long pilot for two new motorway message signs which are designed to urge safer and better use of road capacity. Two new safety messages - urging motorway drivers to 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' and 'Don't Hog the Middle Lane' – have been in use on the M1, M6, M18 and M62 from 10am this morning.
17 January 2005
Merger forms 'Road Block' anti-road protest group
An alliance of groups and individuals campaigning against the building of new roads has been set up under the name 'Road Block'. The campaigners behind the new association say that it has been launched in response to a proposed scheme for 200 new roads throughout the UK.
Merger forms 'Road Block' anti-road protest group
An alliance of groups and individuals campaigning against the building of new roads has been set up under the name 'Road Block'. The campaigners behind the new association say that it has been launched in response to a proposed scheme for 200 new roads throughout the UK.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
