Bloody Matrix Signs

[skiers]

What is it with the Police/ Highways Agency and the poor use of matrix signs?

Classic example last night. Going west on the M4 just before J13, there was some debris in the road (some ropes that had fallen from a lorry presumably).

The matrix signs AFTER J13 said "50 - Debris in road". :wank:

These same matrix signs quite often flash "50" even on clear bright days for no apparent reason with the result that nobody pays any attention to them and that when there is a genuine need for them to display something everyone will say "They are always on".

Is it sooo difficult to get such a simple thing right?

Rant over

 

[Samster]

I love it when they say "FOG" when there's it's clear.............. the other day one of them said "Vehicle Ablaze Ahead"..........there was nothing, better off using them to host news headlines or live cricket scores

 

[skiers]

the other day one of them said "Vehicle Ablaze Ahead"..........there was nothing, better off using them to host news headlines or live cricket scores

They probably meant the truck on the M25 the other day but got the day/ date/ motorway wrong :} :} :}

 

[newman7096]

Signs and Signals

I actually work for the Highways Agency after completing 7 1/2 years in the Police I decided enough was enough!

Signs and signal are very complex things.

I can only give examples of the Midlands but the vast majority of Sign activation is set automatically by 'midas' loops in the road surface. The loops will monitor traffic flow and when the system sense's traffic slowing it will automatically set signs with appropriate speeds however if the congestion clears the signs will stay on for several minutes before they reset themselves which can leave motorists wondering, why have we got a speed restriction when the traffic is moving? A slow moving load could trigger the 'midas' as well as a car briefly stopping on the hard shoulder!

Other signs such a variable message signs have certain preset messages set in to the system for use by an operator. You can not type in anything you want!

As for signs set in the wrong location, how was the debris reported and who gave the location? Signs are set on information received from members of the public on the network as well as agencies who actually work out there.

Also the system for some reason will only set signs in a particular order and sometimes when requesting signs to be activated it won't allow you to do it!
Not forgeting the signs that are broken and have a mind of their own!

And then you find the National Traffic Control Centre has also set signs.

Signs and Signals are a bloody nightmare.

I don't know if the Highways Agency are responsible for the signs on the M4 at the moment.

As for fog.....most motorways have fog detectors on the side of motorways usually on poles.....guess what ...they're set automatically as well!

 

[skiers]

Thanks for the benefit of your wisdom. :bow: Automatic systems "always" makes things better - NOT

 

[Punchy]

It makes me laugh when you see the metal sign erected next to a matrix unit saying" SIGN NOT WORKING" What a complete feckin waste... if it isnt lit up obviously it isnt working.

The local matrix's on the A55 the other day were displaying "Slow down Spray" ............ so if it didnt say that I presume I wouldnt slow down if visibility were obstructed, do the agencies that set these bloody things not credit me with a modicum of common sense. And to make matters worse it was sunny and the road was bone dry :bang: :bang: :bang:

 

[Duck n Dive]

The local matrix's on the A55 the other day were displaying "Slow down Spray" ............ so if it didnt say that I presume I wouldnt slow down if visibility were obstructed, do the agencies that set these bloody things not credit me with a modicum of common sense. And to make matters worse it was sunny and the road was bone dry

No M8 , you obviously didn't spot the guy who had stopped on the hard shoulder and was having a pee....... the message was for him !!