Do You Comply?

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A new Highways England initiative has come into force with immediate effect. If you have a major road project planned, read on…

In June 2016, the Major Projects Portfolio Office based on direction given by the Highways England Board instructed all major road work projects which stretch for more than 4km, and that are scheduled to last for three months or longer to use travel time portable variable message signs to communicate the time and distance to the end of the road works to road users.

Feedback from road users and those affected by road works showed that they were often left frustrated because the length of road works and the travel time to reach the end of them were often uncommunicated. This had a negative impact on how road users viewed road works – and those who operated them.

In order to communicate more effectively to these road users, and improve their customer experience, the new initiative now requires major road projects to incorporate a system – such as MVIS’ Journey Time Solutions (JTS) – as a part of their project. The Major Projects Instruction has instructed that at least one portable VMS should communicate the time and distance to the end of the road works from immediate effect.

MVIS’ JTS is a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for short-term road works projects. It enables road users to make informed decisions about how to minimise journey disruption, warning of delays and advising of their extent, providing users with the opportunity to take an alternative route if necessary.

Templates have been provided to use to effectively inform road users of any travel disruptions, and an audit to assess how the scheme is working began in July 2016.

Schemes were asked to consider how the VMS could be updated if information was to change suddenly. With MVIS’ innovative Web Studio™, users can update the message in an instant, from any laptop or PC, or any Wi-Fi enabled Apple device, meaning that you have complete control over how you communicate to road users.

Available for hire throughout the UK, our JTS system can be quickly and easily installed without the need for civil engineering or external power provision. Call us on 01629 580 570 to find out more.  

Variable Messaging Signs – Frequently Asked Questions

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Q- How are the VMS programmed?

A – The VMS are programmed remotely using our innovative WebStudio™ system which is a web based program which can be used on any Wi-Fi enabled Apple device or personal computer. You can pinpoint the different VMS units you have out on the road and change the display in an instant. Perfect if you need to relay important information to road users or event users quickly and efficiently.

Q – How long does it take to change the message on a VMS?

A – It’s almost instantaneous. Providing you have access to a computer or Wi-Fi enabled Apple device, you can change your displayed message in a matter of minutes.

Q – Can the VMS be tracked?

A – Yes all the VMS are fitted with a GPRS controller which can be tracked via WebStudio™.

Q – Can you upload a message to multiple VMS?

A – Yes. WebStudio™ allows you to group the VMS units together – no matter where they are located – to allow multiple uploads at one time.

Q – Can you upload messages to display at certain times?

A – Yes, the VMS can be scheduled on WebStudio™ to allow certain messages to appear at your requested times.

Q- Can the VMS be programmed on a smartphone?

A – Yes. The VMS can be programmed on any Wi-Fi enabled Apple smartphone or tablet via the Curbsite Lite app.

Q – Can the VMS display pictograms eg, speed roundels and traffic signs?

A – Yes. The VMS can display five different colours (amber, white, red, green and blue) and there is a wide range of pre-saved messages and signs commonly used within the motor industry which can be shared with customers.

Q – Are the VMS and Solar IPs secure when on site?

A – Yes. The VMS and Solar IPS are padlocked in all areas as standard to ensure security on site. They are GPRS enabled so we can see where they are at all times.

Q – Can the VMS be fitted with Radar?

A – Yes. The VMS can be fitted with Radar to enable speed triggered messages.

Q – Do the VMS and Solar IPs have batteries?

A – Yes. They come with solar powered batteries and the battery levels are monitored daily to ensure the products are working at all times.

Q – If I require assistance with one of the products, does MVIS offer an out of hours service?

A – Yes. MVIS offers a 24/7 service to customers. You can contact us by calling 01629 580570 and we guarantee a response within 4 hours.

If you have a question that hasn’t been answered, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01629 580 570 or at sales@m-vis.co.uk

 

How the Solar Intelligent Platform is leading the way in ITS

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In situations that require a combination of temporary intelligent traffic systems, MVIS Solar Intelligent Platform delivers unrivalled flexibility.

This innovative mobile product allows the user to select their preferred combination of any number of items from MVIS’ portfolio of ANPR, CCTV, and radar, with the confidence that the will all work seamlessly with the Solar Intelligent Platform. Further versatility and customization is added by the potential to easily alter the equipment housed in the platform to best meet the user’s needs.

With cutting-edge 250W solar PV panels specifically designed to optimize UV light the system can incorporate a 12V, 24V or 48V battery. This leading technology creates a comprehensive system that does not depend on an external power supply and is also silent in operation.

Its negligible environmental effects, its reliability and its ease to deploy make the Solar Intelligent Platform a perfectly suited option to a large variety of traffic and event management applications.

Why the MVIS Portable CCTV is right for you.

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When you need to guarantee road safety and speed enforcement our CCTV platform offers all the features to make it a perfect solution. Mounted on a mast, the PTZ CCTV system achieves outstanding video performance while still being removed from immediate environmental danger or physical abuse.

Its portability and easy-use makes the CCTV system a versatile and reliable solution, especially in roadwork zones and school zones, where road safety is absolutely paramount. Operable in both day time and night time conditions the Portable CCTV system boats an impressive minimum illumination as low as 0.0004 lux in night mode. With an array of optical encoders the camera guarantees consistently accurate positioning and repeatability as well as an impressive 10x optical zoom.

For more specialist uses an optional heater will keep the Portable CCTV system functioning in temperatures as low as -40C and its durability is further extended with its toughened glass window. The model is also vandal resistant, offering you complete peace of mind wherever it’s placed.

Mounted on MVIS’ Solar Intelligent Platform the Portable CCTV offers the flexibility and versatility present across our entire range and its ease of deployment means you’ll have it up and running in no time. Solar panels save on power consumption costs and also offer an innovative, ecologically friendly solution to any traffic management application.

Journey Time Solution first from MVIS

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Leading temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider, Mobile Visual Information Systems Ltd (MVIS), has made its first temporary journey time solution (JTS) sale for long-term constant use on a smart motorway protect.

In partnership with traffic management specialist Vysionics, MVIS developed a temporary JTS for continuous operation throughout the two year installation of the smart motorway scheme between junctions 28 and 31 of the M1.

At an estimated cost of between £168m and £225m, the installation by international engineering and construction group, Costain, began in October 2013, and has an expected completion date of autumn 2015.

The temporary JTS was required in order to enhance the experience of 170,000 road users across both carriageways every day for the project’s entire duration, as they negotiate the roadworks involved in the transition of the section into a smart motorway, minimising journey disruption and promoting safety.

MVIS sold to Costain eight of its VMS-C signs to communicate with Vysionics’ own Vector integrated ANPR cameras via MVIS’ Web Studio web-based sign management and control system, providing real time journey information to drivers at strategic points along the route.

The cameras send vehicle number plate data back to a remote server which calculates journey times, and the average journey time is relayed to MVIS’ signs throughout the works. In this way, drivers are enabled to plan alternative routes as appropriate.

When necessary, control centre operators can override the default journey time information display with additional driver information, for example regarding incidents ahead, thereby negating the need for additional signs.

This is the second time that MVIS has worked in partnership with Vysionics on a temporary JTS for application during a smart motorway transition.  In 2012, the companies delivered a solution for use during the M4/5 managed motorway installation.

Last year, MVIS launched its own JTS in response to interest from a leading infrastructure services supplier. The package comprises a VMS-A, two Vysionics Vector ANPR cameras, MVIS’ web Studio sign management software and two MVIS Solar IP multi-use trailers.

Said Costain’s senior agent for traffic management, Howard Dukes:  “MVIS is establishing a name as a leader in temporary JTS, and the M1 solution is a reliable means of providing drivers with the information they need in order to negotiate roadworks safely and with minimum delay.”

Added MVIS’ sales manager, Graeme Lee:  “This is the first time that we have sold our signs for long-term, constant use within a JTS solution on a smart motorway scheme, and we are tremendously proud to be playing such an important role in this significant project.”

MVIS is part of the P&D (Holdings Company) group, membership of which ensures MVIS’ customers benefit from a wide pool of ITS expertise and resource.  Its ITS solutions incorporate a comprehensive range of products, including CCTV, radar, VMS, ANPR and Web Studio.

Comprehensive traffic management from MVIS

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Here at MVIS, we work to provide a wide range of innovative Intelligent Transport Solutions, helping to ensure that motorists suffer as little travel disruption as possible.

We offer a five colour matrix VMS that comprises of red, green, blue, amber and white, which provides a highly effective visual solution. In addition to the display of vivid, eye-catching colours, they also have the ability to display Chapter 8/MS4 pictograms, which can effectively communicate messages without using words. This innovative function is helpful for two reasons, as it helps drivers to interpret warnings quickly and is also good for foreign motorists who do not understand the English language.

The bright VMS displays have been proven to effectively grab the attention of motorists and communicate to them what they should be doing, helping to greatly reduce the emotional implications of traffic congestion.

One of the key benefits of the VMS is that it’s simple to operate with Windows software that can be installed either onsite or from a mobile location. Our VMS are both portable and highly adaptable, in addition to the fact that we use innovative technology in the display system to give solar powered, LED functionality.

If you would like to talk to us about our VMS then please contact us on 01629 580 570.

Improve short term road works projects with SPJTS

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At MVIS we are always trying to deliver a service that can truly improve our customers’ work projects. As a result, we devised the solar powered journey time solution (SPJTS), which is an efficient and affordable package that will help to improve any short term road works project.

Our SPJTS brings together both the latest developments in industry software and hardware, which provides its users with an innovative and cost-effective solution to all short term road works. It is portable and solar powered, allowing it to be quickly transported from one location to another, where it can be installed with a minimum of fuss.

It allows users to make informed, reliable decisions as to how they can most effectively avoid journey disruption for road users. It can also help to warn motorists of any delays and give information as to the extent of those delays. In doing this, motorists are given the vital information they need to decide whether it would be best to take an alternative journey route.

The SPJTS incorporates a range of our high-tech messaging equipment, including:

  • Bartco VMS-A
  • Two Vysionics’ SkyHawk integrated ANPR cameras
  • MVIS’ Web Studio sign management software
  • Two of  MVIS’ new Solar 2012 multi-use trailers

The SPJTS maximises effectiveness by mounting the VMS-A system on a multi-use trailer, in advance of a viable exit route for motorists. This is possible due to the ability of the VMS-A to be altered remotely through the cloud server. As a result, road users have the option of staying to travel through the road works or to exit and find another route to their destination.

If you would like to contact us about our SPJTS, then please email us through our contact page or call us on 01629 580 570.

UK First: Colour Mobile VMS brings Colour to UK highways

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Innovative signage provider, Colour Mobile VMS, is set to brighten up UK roads with the provision of its new five-colour variable message signs.

This is the first time the Highways Agency has approved mobile signage for use in colours other than amber. The Colour Mobile VMS products will feature colour options of amber, red, white, green and blue.

This is an exciting development on the UK roads as colour is an impactful way to gain drivers’ attention about road conditions, speed enforcement, traffic calming and incidents. Chapter 8 signage can be replicated and colour is internationally recongised as warning signage, so there are many advantages.

The colour message signs have already started to appear at events around the UK and now with official approval from the Highways Agency, expectations for the signage are high.

Another exciting advantage of the new messaging signs, which will transform response times to incidents and change on our motorway network, is the ability to update messages instantly by SMS text message. This is a major development for traffic agencies and roadwork companies as they can keep the public up to date with what is happening, in seconds from their mobile phone.

The environmentally-friendly signs feature a non-glare, high-bright, low-power consuming LED display, which runs off a fully autonomous solar changing system, avoiding the need for expensive battery or electricity costs.

Tony Price, Managing Director at Colour Mobile VMS says, “This is the first time mobile colour signage for UK highways has been available in the UK, so we’re expecting a very positive response to the products. The signs will be of particular interest to any organisation managing traffic control and road incidents, plus those who already supply to that trade.

“All our customers can be assured of the highest quality products and complete reliability. They are proven and tested and widely used by our manufacturer BARTCO in Australia. But because we are UK based, we can offer 24/7 service and support. We welcome conversations from all parties interested in the colour matrix signs.”

Colour Mobile VMS is officially launching the colour matrix signs at Traffex on March 29-31, 2011 at stand C74. For further information please visit www.colourmobilevms.com

Mobile Visual Information Systems

01629 580 570

MVIS, Units 6-8, Brookfield Way, Brookfield Industrial Estate, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 5ND

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