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

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

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)

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

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

National guidelines for VMS in Norway 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”

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!

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

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.

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

National guidelines for VMS in Norway Danger or incident immediately downstream on the same link Situation Danger warning sign? Order of text elements Danger Other incidents 1: Description of danger or incident 2: Location 3: Advice/Additional information 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 1: Description of danger or incident 3: Advice/Additional information Yes No Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign”

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

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

National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” Above the carriageway 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/tV>80km/t V≤80km/t SS MS SS MS National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” SS: 1200mm MS: 900mm Size of sign: Minimum 3 text 20 characters (incl. spaces) -> Text height 280mm, incl. danger warning sign: H=1,5m, W=6,3m

National guidelines for VMS in Norway Traffic sign no. 560 ”Information sign” Prioritization of messages: 1.Dangerous incidents immediately downstream 2.Closed or blocked road links 3.Present situations or arrangements 4.Future situations or arrangements

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 m from other traffic signs Lane signals may be placed beneath the sign

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:

National guidelines for VMS in Norway We also have handbook 062: ”Traffic Safety Equipment”, which gives the functional and material requirements for: 1.Fixed traffic signs 2.Variable traffic signs 3.Traffic signals 4.Protective and warning equipment 5.Mounting equipment 6.Road marking

National guidelines for VMS in Norway Norwegian only….

National guidelines for VMS in Norway