national guidelines for vms in norway pål hauge directorate of public roads roads and traffic...

National guidelines for VMS in Norway

Pål Hauge

Directorate of Public Roads

Roads and Traffic Dept./Traffic Safety Section


• National legal requirements:

The Road Traffic Act (1964)

The Traffic Sign Regulations (2005)

• International Agreements: The Vienna Convention (1968)

Our guidelines are based on:-


Our guidelines are based on:-

• International research: CEDR Action Five (2004)

• National guidelines for traffic signs and signals:

Handbook 050 Traffic signs (under revision 2006)

Handbook 048 Traffic signals (under revision 2006)


• Work on the new guidelines started in 2001

• Final approval from the NPRA in October 2004

• Sent out for hearing in December 2003


Message category

Regulatory

Danger warning

Informative

Local, operative level

Primary level

Prohibitory signsMandatory signsInformation signs*

Lane signals

Warning signs(Information signs)

Directional signs Information signs

-

-

Primary level

Local, operative level

Message categories on the road network

*) Lane use


The traffic sign regulation:”The sign may contain information which is of importance to the road users, and which can not be communicated using other traffic signs”

Permanent

Temporary

Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign”

http://www.vegvesen.no/vegskilt/opplysningsskilt/opplysningssilt_ulike%20format/index.stm



Only to be used for information to road users concerning situations on the road network which deviates, or are expected to deviate, from the normal situation, for example:

• Accidents

• Queues/delays

• Road works

• Alternative routes

• Extreme conditions

• Closed road links

• Re-routing

The signs are not to be used for campaigns, or for information concerning weather, temperatures etc!



There are also some special applications of this particular (variable) sign:

Tlf. 175

E6Høgfjellet

ÅpenInformation on open or closed mountain passes

”Your speed is”- information

As an element of a warning panel for work zone areas



Text messages shall: be relevant, be correct, be short and precise, contain no more than 8 words, address the correct group of road users, not show any messages under normal conditions.


Message elements:

1: Description of danger or incident

2: Location

3: Advice/Additional information



Danger or incident immediately

downstream on the same link

SituationDanger warning

sign?Order of text elements

Danger

Other incidents


2: Location


Yes

No

Incident further downstream on the same link or on other links

Road works or queue down-stream, same

link

Other incidents

2: Location



Yes

No



Sign no.Warning of incident-

directly downstream further downstream another link

110 Road works

116 Slippery road

149 Queue

156 Other danger

-

- -

- -

-




Asfaltarbeid

0,5 - 7,5 km

Fare for kø

E18 Kopstad - Gulli

Økende trafikk

Alt. rute via Rv xx

Danger or incident immediately downstream on the same link:

Incident further downstream on the same link: - or on other links:



Asfaltarbeid

0,5 - 7,5 km

Fare for kø

Above the carriageway

Asfaltarbeid

0,5 - 7,5 km

Fare for kø

Beside the carriageway

Size of elements:

Above c.way

Beside c.way

- in tunnels

Positioning:Sign size Min. text height (mm)

V>80km/t V≤80km/t V>80km/t V≤80km/t

SS

SS

MS

SS

MS

MS

280

280

210

280

210

210



SS: 1200mm

MS: 900mm

Size of sign:Minimum 3 text lines @ 20 characters (incl. spaces)

-> Text height 280mm, incl. danger warning sign: H=1,5m, W=6,3m



Prioritization of messages:

1. Dangerous incidents immediately downstream

2. Closed or blocked road links

3. Present situations or arrangements

4. Future situations or arrangements



Positioning:

• Ideally 500m before the first directional exit sign

• On straight stretches of road, not on curves

• Not on merging stretches

• Sufficient distance after an accelleration lane

• Two or more lanes: Centred above the carriageway

• On a separate gantry, at a minimum distance of 50-100m from other traffic signs

• Lane signals may be placed beneath the sign



Flashing lights:

• Normally not used on VMS which show no messages in the ”off”-state

• May be used on variable signs to underline a hazardous situation:

• May be used on variable direction signs in connection with road closures etc:


We also have handbook 062: ”Traffic Safety Equipment”, which gives the functional and material requirements for:

1. Fixed traffic signs2. Variable traffic signs3. Traffic signals4. Protective and warning equipment5. Mounting equipment6. Road marking


www.vegvesen.no

..in Norwegian only….

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