Variable Message Signs in the 1968 Convention: a proposal from Ad hoc Expert Group (VMS - Unit) to WP.1 Hans Remeijn Rijkswaterstaat, The Netherlands Antonio Lucas DGT-UNIZAR, Spain VMS Unit -Secretariat
Contents • Background • 4 Issues: 1. Proposed differentiation between fixed and variable road signs 2. Proposal to “move” some functions from traffic light signals to road signs 3. Proposal on colour inversion on VMS 4. Considerations on RE.2, par.5.3.2 : “Rules for message content and message structure for VMS” • Conclusion Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012 2
WHO Alberto Arbaiza / Carmen Girón, • DGT –Dirección General de Tráfico, Spain: Chair Background Background Antonio Lucas, DGT, University of Zaragoza, • Spain: Secretariat Issue 1 Issue 1 Birgit Hartz, • BASt -Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, Germany Issue 2 Issue 2 Christophe Desnouailles, SETRA-Service d'Études • Techniques des Routes et Autoroutes, France Darren Evans, Highways Agency, United Kingdom • Issue 3 Issue 3 Gunilla Thyni, Trafikverket, Sweden • Hans Remeijn, Rijkswaterstaat, The Netherlands • Issue 4 Issue 4 Roberto Serino, Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei • Trasporti, Italy Conclusion Conclusion 3 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
HOW • Need to include VMS fully in the 1968 Convention Background Background • Try to do that with minimal changes to Issue 1 Issue 1 the 1968 Convention • Being aware of broad effects of changes Issue 2 Issue 2 required and proposed • Based on what is already in current RE.2 Issue 3 Issue 3 on VMS – Although some improvements may be Issue 4 Issue 4 suggested later Conclusion Conclusion 4 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
1. Proposed differentiation between fixed and variable road signs 1.1. Need for a definition of VMS Background Background Issue 1 Issue 1 1.2. Need for a clear status, coordinated implementation and use of fixed vs. Issue 2 Issue 2 variable road signs Issue 3 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 4 Conclusion Conclusion 5 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
1. Proposed differentiation between fixed and variable road signs 1.1. Definition of VMS: Background Background “A Variable Message Sign (VMS) is a sign for the purpose of displaying one of a number of messages Issue 1 Issue 1 that may be changed or switched on or off as required”. (current definition in RE.2) Issue 2 Issue 2 or: …inscriptions and symbols… Issue 3 Issue 3 (fully aligned with current VMS text of Article 8) Issue 4 Issue 4 to be placed in Chapter I. General provisions Article 1 Definition….. taking the letter (w). Conclusion Conclusion 6 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
1. Proposed differentiation between fixed and variable road signs 1.2. Need for a clear status, coordinated Background Background implementation and use of fixed vs. variable road signs Issue 1 Issue 1 “Variable Message Signs should only be used for Issue 2 managing temporary events. Issues which require Issue 2 long-term use in a static location should always be shown on permanent (fixed) road signs”. Issue 3 Issue 3 be placed in Chapter II. Road signs Article 8. 1. Issue 4 Issue 4 ter… Conclusion Conclusion 7 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
2. Proposal to “move” some functions from traffic light signals to road signs The issue: Background Background “crosses and arrows” are used in combination with other road signs, but are still considered as “traffic Issue 1 Issue 1 light signals” within the 1968 Convention (Article 23, point 11 a and b) Issue 2 Issue 2 Proposal: Issue 3 Issue 3 Give crosses and arrows (also) the status of full road sign in the Convention Issue 4 Issue 4 (and include this in Annex 1 and 3). Conclusion Conclusion 8 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
2. Proposal to “move” some functions from traffic light signals to road signs Pictograms for Annex 3: Background Background Issue 1 Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 2 E, E, E, 22 c 22 a 22 b Issue 3 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 4 Conclusion Conclusion 9 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
2. Proposal to “move” some functions from traffic light signals to road signs Text for Annex 1: Background Background (E, 22) Sign notifying lane availability; Three different signs may be used in case of Issue 1 Issue 1 variable assignment of lanes: E, 22a: Traffic may not proceed along Issue 2 Issue 2 the lane over which it is placed; E, 22b: Traffic may proceed along Issue 3 Issue 3 the lane over which it is placed; E, 22c: The lane is about to be closed to traffic Issue 4 Issue 4 and the road users on that lane must move over to the lane indicated by the arrow. Conclusion Conclusion 10 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
3. Proposal on colour inversion on VMS Most “economic” and less obtrusive Background Background approach: • Display all signs in the original “natural” fixed Issue 1 Issue 1 sign format in Annex 3. Article 8, 1.bis suffices to indicate other possibilities. Issue 2 Issue 2 • Suggestion: upload an informal catalogue with Issue 3 Issue 3 colour inverted signs to the WP.1 website. Issue 4 Issue 4 Conclusion Conclusion 11 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
4. Considerations on R.E.2, 5.3.2. “Rules for VMS” This section should move to a specific Background Background location within the 1968 Convention. The VMS Unit proposes to include this Issue 1 Issue 1 information in a new article in Chapter II Road signs. Issue 2 Issue 2 Some rules could be slightly reworded to Issue 3 Issue 3 make them clearer. Issue 4 Issue 4 Conclusion Conclusion 12 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
4. Considerations on R.E.2, 5.3.2. “Rules for VMS” 1. 1. Original New Background Background When using VMS with When used, pictograms pictograms the main should always provide the Issue 1 Issue 1 information is given by the main unit of information in pictogram. any VMS message. The use of specific Issue 2 Issue 2 pictograms instead of generic ones (e.g., the pictogram A, 24 representing “congestion” Issue 3 Issue 3 instead of general danger A, 32) is preferred, when they Issue 4 Issue 4 exist. Conclusion Conclusion 13 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
4. Considerations on R.E.2, 5.3.2. “Rules for VMS” 2. 2. New Original Background Background When a VMS has such a Make use of graphical capability, graphical elements elements as much as possible Issue 1 Issue 1 (pictograms, symbols) should when using text (e.g., always be used as much as pictograms, symbols). possible to replace the need Issue 2 Issue 2 for text. Issue 3 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 4 Conclusion Conclusion 14 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
4. Considerations on R.E.2, 5.3.2. “Rules for VMS” 3. 3. New Original Background Background If used, a regulatory Use regulatory messages pictogram/symbol should not without any text, if possible. Issue 1 Issue 1 require any supporting text to be clearly understood by road users. Issue 2 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 4 Conclusion Conclusion 15 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
4. Considerations on R.E.2, 5.3.2. “Rules for VMS” 4. 4. New Original Background Background Danger warning messages Danger warning messages (using the red triangle) should (using the red triangle) should generally not be used when the Issue 1 only be used when the Issue 1 dangerous spot or stretch of dangerous spot or stretch of road is far from the VMS (for road is nearby the VMS (for Issue 2 Issue 2 instance, more than 5 km). instance, no more than 2 km). When using words in danger When using words in danger warning messages, place the warning messages, place the Issue 3 Issue 3 information about the nature of information about the nature of the danger first and then brief the danger first and then brief complementary advice can be complementary advice can be Issue 4 Issue 4 added. given under. Conclusion Conclusion 16 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
4. Considerations on R.E.2, 5.3.2. “Rules for VMS” 5. 5. Original New When a VMS is used to inform about a When a VMS is used to inform about a situation at some distance (for instance, 2 situation at some distance (for instance, 5 km or more) or in the future (e.g. expected km or more) or in the future (e.g. expected road works), additional information (e.g. road works), additional information (e.g. distance, or respectively an indication of distance, or respectively an indication of date and time) is necessary. The date and time) is necessary. recommended structure of the message is The recommended order of the message is the following: first give the information the following: concerning the nature of the event on the 1. Information about the nature of the event. first line, then distance and/or time 2. Distance and/or time indication. indication on the second line. A third line 3. Additional information (e.g. advice, can be used for additional information (e.g. cause). advice, cause) 17 Geneva, WP.1 63rd Session, March, 21 2012
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