Reading The Signs

Driving anywhere presents countless challenges for motorists and throws up a huge number of variables. Traffic congestion, accidents and freak weather - all can play a part in how long or how stressful a journey can be.

Under normal or ambient driving conditions, where none of these problems exist, motorists must still face up to the usual challenges presented on the road. Driving safely, especially for prolonged periods, requires immense concentration at any given time, for instance.

The last thing any driver of any vehicle wants is to lose their way and add precious time to their journey. This causes frustration and burns additional fuel. Road user information, in all its forms, is therefore a vital component of using the modern highways network. Among other things, this information enables drivers to know where they are going, how fast they should be driving, and even how bad the traffic is further down the line.

Facts & Figures

Using standard sat nav reduces accident claims by 12%, reduces distance driven by 16%, driving time by 18% and fuel costs by 15% (Trafficmaster) 

Journey Planning

Prior to any journey most drivers will have a pretty good idea as to where they are going. Although a pleasant country drive in the sun is still very much a popular pastime for many motorists these trips tend to be the minority.

Most road users know where they want to go before they set out and have a good idea as to how to get there. Planning a journey is often an important step before getting into the car. The range of options available for motorists is significantly greater now than just a few years ago.

From the atlas to the web

While the days of the road atlas are not over yet in recent years there has been a surge in the availability and sophistication of journey planning software available to road users. The market for the traditional road atlas still exists but nowadays motorists are highly likely to consult one of the freely available journey planning websites on the internet.

These can help to plot a route, draw a bespoke route map, and even suggest alternatives. This software is a fast and efficient way of planning a long journey, especially into unfamiliar territory. Web-based journey planners can even gauge not just the mileage involved but roughly how long it will take the driver to complete the road trip.

Many web sites also offer general and up-to-date traffic information. The National Traffic Control Centre offers this service via the web on behalf of the Highways Agency. There are many private companies offering similar or enhanced travel information services.

In-car navigation systems

More recently, in-car GPS navigation systems or ‘sat-nav' have become widespread. These high-tech devices can do much the same as the web-based programmes, but are smaller, more compact, and of course, mobile. The GPS effectively brings all of the useful attributes of journey planning software into the vehicle, which the user can take advantage of during his time on the road. Routes can be selected and tracked along the way with the driver alerted of his progress, both visually via an on-screen map and through optional audio. In theory, this makes it hard for a driver to lose their way, though real life can still conspire to outsmart even the cleverest of machines.

Increasing sophistication means today's software can help motorists identify roadworks and accident sites along the way, which can influence the choice of route. Other sources of in-car aids are available including traffic bulletins via the radio and through mobile phones. Some private companies offer a call service where motorists tell an operator where they want to go and the journey plan is downloaded to their in-car ‘sat-nav' within a matter of seconds. This is particularly useful for higher mileage drivers and transportation or haulage companies.

On the road

While motorists are supported by a huge range of in-car data systems, in addition to the standard road atlas, many still depend on road signage. Road signs are provided to assist road users to undertake their journey safely. They can provide route guidance, warn of hazards and indicate regulations that must be obeyed.

The volume of signs by the roadside is kept to a minimum, not only for cost purposes, but primarily so as not to confuse or overload the driver with too much information. Since language differences can create barriers to understanding, international signs using symbols in place of words have been developed and adopted in most countries of the world, though there are variations from country-to-country, and region-to-region.

With the exception of the UK, where distances and speed limits are indicated in miles, all European countries use the metric system. Understanding these signs is an essential requirement for all drivers and forms a critical part of the standard driving examination. Road signs remain of primary importance despite the evolution of sat-nav technology.

In some remote areas, with very narrow roads, or difficult access, signs now even warn motorists to ignore their satnav. Larger vehicles following a satnav route may be directed down a road that may not be suitable. The first ‘ignore your satnav' road signs went up in the UK in 2007.

Sign of the times

Just as technology has led to a thriving industry for personal navigational aids, road signage is also in a state of transition. As well as the first ‘ignore your satnav' signs, there has been the arrival of environment-related signage and congestion charging. In London, this includes various signs when approaching and entering the Low Emission Zone.

Electronic information signs - or Variable Message Signs - are also now a familiar sight across the country's motorway and trunk road network. These signs can be linked to a control centre to alert drivers of dangers ahead or to reduce their speed in the case of an accident or build-up in traffic. Messages displayed on VMS are limited to those that help drivers complete their journey safely and efficiently. VMS cannot be used for advertising or any other unnecessary information.

This intelligent communication can help keep traffic flowing when previously circumstances may have resulted in a hold up. Electronic signage is also commonly deployed at toll sites where the cost of entry to a motorway, bridge or tunnel varies according to vehicle type. Some signs are also illuminated at night to enable drivers to see the information as they pass by, often at speed. Like technology, road signage continues to evolve.

Intelligent transportation systems can encompass a broad range of wire and wireless communications-based information, control and electronics technologies. The widespread deployment of VMS travel and delay times shows the growing level of sophistication. This service compares historic data for a route with current traffic conditions to set estimated travel time messages. These travel times are recalculated every five minutes and the messages updated. If a traffic event, such as a collision, causes delays on the network above an agreed threshold the message will automatically switch from the travel time message to an estimated delay message.

Traffic information

When integrated into the transportation system infrastructure, and in vehicles, all of these signs and technologies can assist in the monitoring and management of traffic flow, reducing congestion, providing alternate routes to travellers, enhance productivity and save lives, time and money. The traffic data used by all of these information service providers comes from multiple sources. This can include satellite systems, the police and other emergency services, breakdown service providers such as the AA and the RAC, and CCTV networks.

Dedicated traffic monitoring groups, such as National Traffic Control Centre and Traffic England, also provide information for road users. Radio stations can provide up-to-the minute advice with incident reporting from listeners.