National guidelines for VMS in Norway

1. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Pål Hauge Directorate of Public Roads Roads and Traffic Dept./Traffic Safety Section

2. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Our guidelines are based on:- • International Agreements: • The Vienna Convention (1968) • National legal requirements: • The Road Traffic Act (1964) • The Traffic Sign Regulations (2005)

3. National guidelines for VMS in Norway 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)

4. National guidelines for VMS in Norway • Work on the new guidelines started in 2001 • Sent out for hearing in December 2003 • Final approval from the NPRA in October 2004

5. Local, operative level Primary level National guidelines for VMS in Norway Message categories on the road network Message category Primary level Local, operative level Prohibitory signs Mandatory signs Information signs* Lane signals Regulatory - Danger warning - Warning signs (Information signs) Informative Directional signs Information signs *) Lane use

6. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” 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

7. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” 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!

8. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” There are also some special applications of this particular (variable) sign: Information on open or closed mountain passes ”Your speed is”- information As an element of a warning panel for work zone areas

9. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” • 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.

10. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” Message elements: 1: Description of danger or incident 2: Location 3: Advice/Additional information

11. Road works or queue down-stream, same link Incident further downstream on the same link or on other links Yes 2: Location 1: Description of danger or incident 3: Advice/Additional information No Other incidents National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” Danger warning sign? Order of text elements Situation Yes Danger 1: Description of danger or incident 2: Location 3: Advice/Additional information Danger or incident immediately downstream on the same link Other incidents No

12. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” Warning of incident- Sign no. directly downstream further downstream another link 110 Road works - 116 Slippery road - - - 149 Queue 156 Other danger - -

13. E18 Kopstad - Gulli Økende trafikk Alt. rute via Rv xx National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” Danger or incident immediately downstream on the same link: - or on other links: Incident further downstream on the same link:

14. Above the carriageway Beside the carriageway National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign”

15. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” Size of elements: Min. text height (mm) Sign size Positioning: V≤80km/t V≤80km/t V>80km/t V>80km/t Above c.way SS SS 280 280 - in tunnels MS MS 210 210 Beside c.way SS MS 280 210 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

16. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” • Prioritization of messages: • Dangerous incidents immediately downstream • Closed or blocked road links • Present situations or arrangements • Future situations or arrangements

17. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” 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

18. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information 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:

19. National guidelines for VMS in Norway We also have handbook 062: ”Traffic Safety Equipment”, which gives the functional and material requirements for: • Fixed traffic signs • Variable traffic signs • Traffic signals • Protective and warning equipment • Mounting equipment • Road marking

20. National guidelines for VMS in Norway www.vegvesen.no ..in Norwegian only….

21. National guidelines for VMS in Norway Questions? Fragen? Spørsmål?