Highways Agency

In 2002, the Highways Agency launched their new Type 354 Emergency Roadside Telephone (ERT). The launch signalled the start of a £12m, three year programme to replace over 6500 ERTs on the English motorway and core trunk road network.

Major new features include:

• The Emergency Roadside Telephone (ERT) has been designed to be accessible to all motorists in line with the requirements of safety.  For wheelchair users the new plinth design will ensure a number of improvements over the old sites including improved access. The new stylish design is modular such that it can be installed almost anywhere allowing safe and easy access. The curve in the lower column allows the ERT to be positioned right next to the standard safety barrier allowing the motorist who is unable to cross the barrier access to make an emergency telephone call.
• The new ERT has been designed with safety for the motorist as a key objective. The ERT has been tested to the latest European impact standard. This ensures that if a vehicle collides with the ERT, under most circumstances, no debris will fall on the carriageway and cause a secondary accident. The ERT is anchored to the ground so that the telephone components cannot penetrate the vehicle. The motorist making the call is also safer with new features including anti trip surfaces, safer areas, and guardrails.
• Improved audio performance has been achieved for both the motorist and the control operator by using a noise cancellation system.  For those motorists who have a hearing aid there is an inductive coupler in the handset. One common problem experienced by hearing aid users is interference caused by the close proximity of electronic equipment. This does not occur with the new ERT.
• The design of the ERT was chosen to be visible for those who were looking for it but at the same time blend in with then environment.  A more visible reflective SOS label is used to inform the motorist that it is an emergency telephone and identify the ERT to the emergency services and maintainers.
• Display for user-prompting, volume control and text facility.
• Environmentally friendly with solar cells and very low power consumption.
• The new ERT has its own self diagnostic system which means it can instantly inform the maintainer that it is not working properly. This together with its  improved vandal resistance means greater reliability.

If you use the ERT:

In order to use the ERT you simply open the door and pickup the receiver. You will be connected directly to the Police Operator. The ERT automatically informs the operator the location of the ERT you are calling from.

After you have made the call should the Police want to contact you again a loud sounder is used followed by a high intensity light beacon from the glass panel at the top of the ERT. The intention of the beacon is to attract the motorist if for whatever reason he was unable to hear the sounder, but at the same time, ideally, it must not distract vehicles on the road.

If used in normal voice mode of operation two large coloured buttons are available (tick and cross) to raise (tick) and lower (cross) the volume of the operators voice to whom the motorist is connected.

For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

In non voice mode of operation these buttons are used to answer the questions using text, Yes (tick) and No (cross). The choice of buttons rather than a keyboard was chosen so as not to disadvantage people who are not used to typing and also to ensure precise information is obtained.

A Text Mode facility is also available for people who have difficulty communicating in spoken English, for example, the hard of hearing or non-English speakers. When the operator realises the motorist is having difficulty communicating (you can tell the operator you are deaf) he will then initiate Text Mode. The text is available in a number of languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Welsh) so choose the one appropriate for you.

The first question is ‘Do you understand English?’ in English followed similarly by other languages for example the ‘        ’ (Do you understand French?). The operator will automatically see a direct translation of the language selected by the motorist. Answer the questions carefully. However if you make a mistake you will have a chance to correct it. You will not be asked for your membership details of the breakdown organisation you select (if required) but you will have to show them it when they arrive. The Text Mode can also give further information, for example, the likely time of arrival of your motoring organisation, further safety advice etc.

If you require instructions these are located on the inside of the door and are divided into two halves, the top for voice communication and the bottom for text users.