Highways Agency trials new smart signs

The first on-road trial of new smart signs designed to encourage safe driving on roads operated by the Highways Agency starts this week on the A12 London-bound carriageway, near Kelvedon, Essex.

The Highways Agency is trialling a new Vehicle Activated Speed Indicator Devices (VASID) on the A12 for seven weeks. It is hoped that VASID can be used to deter speeding and to remind road users to slow down and to drive within the correct speed limit. When fully operational, the system will flash up the number plate of any vehicles exceeding the speed limit as a visual reminder to drivers to slow down.

The system includes a large trailer-mounted variable message sign (VMS) and remote speed and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) detection units. These detection units are positioned over adjacent lanes of the A12 on a cantilever arm, mounted on top of a tall mast in the verge. Detection units will be positioned about 250 metres before the VMS, at the VMS and about 250 metres after the VMS.

Mark Pooley, Highways Agency project sponsor, said: "We are investigating whether the system has an effect on the behaviour of drivers. We will assess the vehicle speed data and look at what impact the messages had on drivers and how well the technology worked with live traffic.

"This is the first time that we have been able to bring these components together on a live road to measure the speed of vehicles in several adjacent lanes and advise those driving at the highest speeds that they need to slow down.

"Existing vehicle activated systems used on the Highways Agency network only show the speed limit sign, but do not show the vehicle number plate."

The VASID system will be set up from today, Thursday 17 July 2008 (week one). During week one, no messages will be displayed on the sign but the system will be monitoring vehicle speeds.

During week two if it picks up a vehicle exceeding the limit, the sign will display the National Speed Limit sign with the message "SLOW DOWN".

From weeks three to six the speed and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) detection units will detect the number plate of a vehicle exceeding the limit and will display the National Speed Limit sign with the message "SLOW DOWN" and the vehicle registration number.

It is anticipated that during week seven, the equipment will be removed.

None of the data gathered by the Agency during the on road trial will be used for enforcement purposes. The VASID equipment system does not record any personal data, and therefore complies with the Data Protection Act.