Disabled Driver Questionnaire
We want to produce a driver information programme for our disabled customers. To help us produce the best possible guidance, please take a few minutes to fill in our questionnaire.
Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions
Lane Hog!
John Stapleton looks into why people Lane Hog and what effects it has on the driver hogging the lane and other road users.
Educating tomorrow's drivers
See how we are driving through key messages about safety on our network for the drivers of tomorrow.
Meet the Ancestors
Find out about the history of roads and the work the Agency does to preserve archaeological remains.
See when traffic will be lightest
Our traffic forecaster can help get you there quicker
Main Types of Signals and Signs
Below are examples of signals and signs (which are all types of VMS) in use on the Highways Agency network.
Signals
Central Reserve Post-mounted Signals (Matrix Signals)
- Caters for up to 3-lane motorways and major trunk roads
- Spaced at 3km intervals
- Limited to display advisory fog warnings, speed restrictions and lane closures with amber flashing warning lanterns
Slip Road Post-mounted Signals
- Normally situated in pairs at entry slip roads
- Similar to matrix signals; displays advisory fog warnings, speed restrictions and lane closures with amber flashing lanterns
- Additional function to display red lanterns to allow mandatory closures of slip roads only
Gantry Mounted Signals
- Allows flexibility for individual lane signalling (display applies to the lane below each signal)
- Displays advisory fog warnings, speed restrictions, lane closures and lane diversions
- Can display red “X” and red flashing lanterns to provide a mandatory “stop” signal
- Spaced at 1km intervals
Signs (display information using text)
EMS (Enhanced Message Sign)
- Can be mounted either on cantilever posts or alongside Gantry Mounted Signals
- Display information about incidents and hazards
- 2 lines of 12 or 16 characters are used for tactical* messages and 3 lines of 12 or 18 characters are used for strategic* messages.
These legends inform motorists of the reason why the signals have been set.
MS2 (Message Sign Mark 2)
- Mounted on cantilever posts
- Display information about incidents, hazards and campaigns
- Usually an VMS with 2 lines of 12 characters, together with an enhanced matrix indicator (EMI), which is a slightly larger Matrix Signal
- Now obsolete - replaced with MS3 for new installations
MS3 (Message Sign Mark 3)
- Mounted on Cantilever Posts only
- Display information about incidents, hazards, campaigns and restrictions and can include a matrix signal aspect
- 2 lines of 16 characters or 3 lines of 18 characters
The above signs can be set automatically by Motorway Incident Detection Automated Signalling (MIDAS) or manually by control room staff.
