M-way Variable Message Signs...used properly?

BrianD

I was just noticing that the VMS signs on the M50 and elsewhere seem to be displaying static warning messages. An important message about slowing down but should these message boards be used to display dynamic and more relevant messages e.g. Delays/black ice/whatever between J5 and J6 etc. Is there anybody actually managing these signs? For example, the M50 signs were displaying Danger Snow - slow down even though there was ble skies. Plenty of snow on the ground but none falling.

Here's what they are all displaying now according to the NRA.

http://www.nratraffic.ie/vms/default.asp

skywalker_208

theres a few of those movable ones on the M3 saying Slow down icy conditions for the past month... what a waste of time they are....

Buffman

I was heading north on the M50 the other morning at 3am and they were all displaying full red. No message, just a massive red block. A bit distracting, but on the plus side it made the road 'look' warm!:D

HonalD

BrianD wrote: »

Is there anybody actually managing these signs?

Hopefully not - otherwise they're doing a pIss poor job of it.

Cookie_Monster

I would assume they are under the NRA's remit.

snappieT

I have seen them occasionally being used properly on the M50 - "Warning, accident at J6 ahead" etc. The Port Tunnel entrance ones also alert drivers to a lane being closed.

The problem is that they're still used when they shouldn't be. The port tunnel one constantly has "Tunnel Ahead, Slow Down" with flashing beacons around it. Those flashing lights really should be reserved for when I *need* to look at the sign.

Same for the M50 ones. All this week they've had "Slow down, snow and ice". This message is irrelevant, and all is does is distract me from the road.

I firmly believe that when a message is sent for display on a sign, it should have an automatic 30 minute expiration time, so it disappears when no longer a breaking, urgent fact.

Cookie_Monster

agree with the above, with the default message outside of that being the estimated time to the next junction / or particular points if on the M50.

snappieT

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

agree with the above, with the default message outside of that being the estimated time to the next junction / or particular points if on the M50.

Without flashing lights.

Red Alert

They shouldn't be using them do display stuff like "arrive alive". Keep that for static roadside signs, or maybe use the VMS on bank holiday weekends or other statistically relevant days. Ideally they shouldn't be alternating pages either - it's a hazard to have to break road concentration long enough to see the sign change.

Random

i wish they'd stop posting ****e on them like "drive safely". honest to ****ing christ the sign isn't going to change anything !

warn me about road works, delays, accidents and other relevant information and stop posting random filler ****e just for the sake of it.

Red Alert

Exactly, they should be blank when there's nothing to say. Actually it would probably be good to put some symbol like an asterisk or full-stop on the screen to make it easy to tell if they're working but no message or out of service.

L1011

Red Alert wrote: »

Exactly, they should be blank when there's nothing to say. Actually it would probably be good to put some symbol like an asterisk or full-stop on the screen to make it easy to tell if they're working but no message or out of service.

Most modern VMS signs have a red indicator light in the top right hand (I think) corner to indicate that they are online but have no message to show.

The NRA should be in ultimate control of these if they aren't already. But the fact that they are able to show what is displayed on virtually every VMS in the country except the Limerick Tunnel ones on their website suggests they are.

NFD100

Why don't they tell people how to drive properly on the motorway?

KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING

NO STOPPING EXCEPT IN EMERGENCY

Cookie_Monster

NFD100 wrote: »

Why don't they tell people how to drive properly on the motorway?
KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING

Actually that message should be on every single one of those signs as the default when nothing else is showing. Might finally get people to realise, esp on the M50

snappieT

Resurrecting thread - notice these being properly used on the M50 this morning, listing the journey times to various exits. Actually useful. Quite curious how they're doing it though, selecting cars and tracking them down the motorway with various cameras?

L1011

ANPR but its done to a lot more than specific cars, they need an average time and to discard >100km/h times.

Breezer

Am I right in saying more cameras have been mounted on the gantries lately to facilitate this? There seemed to be more the other day.

Davy

Breezer wrote: »

Am I right in saying more cameras have been mounted on the gantries lately to facilitate this? There seemed to be more the other day.

Ye over the past few weeks. They are aimed at the middle 2 lanes out of the four.

Buffman

This was posted over on motors! And no, it's not a fake.

Borderfox wrote: »

Seen this on the way in past Whitehall Church (I was stopped in traffic)

Red Alert

I think the multicolour ones may be under the control of Dublin City Council - they've slowly replaced the previous flip-dot signs for parking with them.

Will those ANPR cameras then be made to function as speed cameras also? No reason why not, given that the software's in use in the UK.

Davy

Red Alert wrote: »

I think the multicolour ones may be under the control of Dublin City Council - they've slowly replaced the previous flip-dot signs for parking with them.

Will those ANPR cameras then be made to function as speed cameras also? No reason why not, given that the software's in use in the UK.

At the minute no. Their isnt a camera for the outside lane, so it wouldn't make sense. Flashing your reg and speed on the VMS is the plan for the moment afaik if your over the limit.