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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)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry start to Monday but with some mist or fog patches, sunny spells elsewhere. Showers developing during the afternoon, particularly in the west, these heavy and thundery. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Showers in the west soon dying off this evening. Patchy cloud and clear spells through the first part of the night but further showers later. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
