Traffic jams to cost UK drivers £62bn

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With the recent news that congested roads will cost UK drivers £62bn over the next 10 years, perhaps now is the time to re-evaluate your traffic management solutions to make sure your road maintenance operations are being carried out as efficiently as possible.

In a report commissioned by the Department for Transport, transportation information company Inrix measured the average duration, length and frequency of UK traffic jams in September, and calculated the cost by using value of travel time figures.

Unsurprisingly, London came out worst. The most highly congested stretch of road was the M25 northbound between junctions 15 and 16 near to Heathrow Airport, and overall, London’s traffic jams are set to cost motorists over £42bn up until 2025. Other highly congested areas were the A720 westbound Edinburgh Bypass at Dreghorn Barracks which is estimated to cost £2.8bn, and the Eastbound junction of the A8 Glasgow and Edinburgh Road with the M8 which has an estimated cost of £2.3bn.

MVIS provides innovative temporary Intelligent Transport System solutions which can help you to monitor and control traffic queues. This includes CCTV, HD Data Collection Radar, ANPR, VMS and Journey Time Solutions that are mounted on solar powered platforms and can be deployed as multiple units on a single platform or individually as required.

No matter what or where your traffic management project is, the MVIS team are on hand to be able to offer full support and flexibility to help you resolve your road maintenance project quickly and efficiently, because whilst it’s said that the British love to queue, it doesn’t extend to sitting idly in traffic.

If you would like to know more about MVIS’ portfolio of traffic management products, please click here.

Take a look at the top 10 traffic hotspots:

London (£42bn) M25 northbound between junctions 15 and 16

Edinburgh (£2.8bn) A720 westbound Edinburgh Bypass at Dreghorn Barracks

Glasgow (£2.3bn) Eastbound junction of the A8 Glasgow and Edinburgh Road with the M8

Birmingham (£2bn) Northbound junction of the A38 (M) with the M6

Manchester (£1.9bn) M60 northbound at junction 1 for the A6 Stockport

Bristol (£1.6bn) M5 southbound at junction 20 for Clevedon

Leeds (£1.5bn) Westbound M62 junction 26 with M606 junction 1

Cardiff (£1.1bn) A48 westbound at Riverside Park

Bradford (£1.1bn) From the A650 in the city centre to the A6038 Otley Road

Belfast (£797m) A12 eastbound at the junction with the M2 and M3

Event planning is all about effective communication

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If you’ve ever organised an event of any size, you know that communication is key.

It’s imperative to have the right processes in place to make sure that everyone involved has a clear idea of what their role is – from your suppliers right through to your guests. And when traffic management is involved, having the right tools at your disposal helps things to run a lot more smoothly.

Whether it’s a small community gala, street party, or a big cup game for your local sports team, keeping motorists and pedestrians well informed with up-to-date information not only helps to keep traffic moving, it also helps to keep them safe. Plus, by presenting clear information such as car parking or entry directions to visitors, it ensures that they are much more likely to have a positive experience at your event.

Static signs with a pre-printed message can be extremely useful, but if your information changes suddenly, it can render them defunct and confusing to your audience. Fortunately, hiring a variable message sign (VMS) from MVIS offers you much greater control over your communication. Our VMS units can be updated instantly via a PC or any Wi-Fi enabled Apple device using our innovative Web Studio™ so no matter what message you need to broadcast, you can do it quickly and easily with MVIS.

The non-glare units ensure they’re easily seen, even in the most extreme weather, and as they are able to be combined with additional features such as CCTV or high-speed radar, it offers even more opportunity to convey important information to help keep people safe and well informed, such as ‘slow down’ messages to motorists who are travelling too fast. Plus, with a five colour LED screen, there’s no reason for your communications to be missed – they even support pictograms too.

You can hire event management equipment to help with your event, direct from MVIS. With over 20 depots across the UK, we can deliver straight to your event quickly and effortlessly, and with a 24/7 service line for all customers, we’re on hand if you need support with anything.

Our high quality, reliable and cost effective VMS are environmentally friendly, portable and can be changed to display a variety of messages in an instant.

Hire a VMS signs today and benefit from:

Five Colours
Create eye-catching displays to attract the attention of the crowd

Web Studio™
Our innovative Web Studio™ enables you to view your VMS from any Wi-Fi enabled Apple device to remotely locate your signs, observe traffic flow and change your message at the touch of a button

Reduced Costs
Solar powered and environmentally friendly, VMS units do not require plugging in

Easy To See
Made from non-glare UV resistant polycarbonate, VMS are visible in every condition

Security
The VMS comes complete with satellite tracking and a SMS tamper alarm, and can be fitted with CCTV for added peace of mind.

Call us today on 01629 580570 to discuss your event requirements.

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

 

MVIS’ Safelane Technology

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In 2015, Highways England recorded more than 40 cases of drivers deliberately ignoring road closure signs on the A13 alone.

These figures were recorded by road workers working on a section of the A13 near Thurrock, in Essex, which was being widened to reduce congestion and improve safety. The project, which is estimated to be completed in autumn 2016, will see the A13 on the approach to junction 30 widened to four lanes in each direction, with new dedicated link roads between the M25 and A13. The work is an ongoing process, and has seen a number of work zone incursions from the start.

During 2015, a range of vehicles were seen unlawfully entering the worksite, and some drivers ignored carriageway closures. In June 2015, a road worker’s work vehicle was struck and damaged by an object thrown by the motorist of a moving vehicle.

Lizzie Pauling, project manager for Highways England says: “Safety is Highways England’s top priority. We are concerned by a number of drivers choosing to ignore road closures, putting their safety and the safety of others at risk. The improvements to the A13 and M25 will improve safety and reduce congestion for the tens of thousands of drivers who use this section each day.”

To assist in events like this, MVIS provides an innovative solution to help road workers stay safe. The Safelane Integrated Solution sees Intellicone-enabled Smart VMS positioned at road closure points, surrounded by intelligent cone barriers and contactless sensors to detect breaches. If a breach does occur, the sensors send a message to the VMS which warns the driver they are in a prohibited area, and instructs them to turn around. Simultaneously, the gatepeople at checkpoint locations are alerted by an audible alarm, giving them time to take appropriate action and retreat to a safe place. They are also supplied with a manual panic alarm to alert the workforce if a driver is to continue beyond the checkpoint. This system can incorporate CCTV if necessary and is proven to reduce the resources required to safely carry out road closures and minimise confrontations with disgruntled drivers.

For more information on Safelane Technology, please get in touch on 01629 580 570 or email us on sales@m-vis.co.uk.

 

 

 

Are your wicket signs compliant with the new Department for Transport regulations?

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You may have heard that the Department for Transport is changing the approved size for wicket sign screens where signs haven’t been located in the central reserve, also known as Fixed Taper Points (FTP), Remote Controlled Temporary Traffic Management signs (RCTTM) and Remotely Operated Temporary Traffic Management signs (ROTTM). If you have signs installed that don’t meet these new regulations they will need to be changed or Police operated rolling road blocks put in place to deploy traffic management, which can become problematic on schemes where this is a regular requirement.

Our UK manufactured five colour VMS-C meets all of the requirements set out in drawing number GT50/198/0015-1 that the Secretary of State approved on the 10th March 2016. This allows our VMS-C to be used as a replacement for FTP signs, also known as RCTTM and ROTTM signs on Smart Motorway schemes until the fixed permanent signs are fully operational. This will enable the motorways to return to All Lanes Running (ALR) without the requirement for Police operated rolling roadblocks to be used to deploy Traffic Management.

Our VMS can be controlled remotely from any internet connected PC with a web browser via MVIS’ Web Studio or Wi-Fi enabled Apple device using Bartco Curbsite Lite. All of the required approved legends are already programmed in to the system making the setting of the signs a simple process. If sufficient notice is given we can preset the messages for you, enabling you to activate and de-activate all five signs in a Fixed Taper Sign group with just six clicks of your mouse.

Individual user accounts can be set up for any number of operators, each with their own log in so a full audit trail of which messages were activated, when and who by can be recorded. We can also set access rights to: only allow them to activate the approved legends; be able to make their own legends if the signs are to be used for other purposes; or allow them viewing access only for monitoring purposes.

And with 22 depots throughout the UK and high levels of VMS in stock you can trust us to deliver.

If you’d like to discuss your requirements further, please contact us on 01629 580570.

 

 

Driving Home for Christmas?

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As we’ve seen on the news this week, extreme weather conditions can cause massive disruptions to travel plans.

No matter how well planned travel plans are, they can be upturned in an instant. This not only leaves road users and commuters in need of guidance, but also requires local authorities and those working within the highways agency to quickly implement new routes and infrastructures to maintain safe and efficient traffic management.

Mobile Visual Information Systems (MVIS) is a leading supplier of innovative mobile and solar powered monitoring and visual information systems which means that we can be relied on to provide solutions to the highways industry.

We work with traffic and event management companies to help keep Britain moving by providing fast, flexible, cost effective temporary solutions, such as VMS units to help advise road users and commuters of new routes, important information and alternative directions. Plus, with the welcome addition of MVIS’ Web Studio™, you can change the messages displayed on your VMS units instantly from any Apple device. So should your new route be compromised in any way, you can swiftly amend your VMS unit to display the most up-to-date information, keeping the roads – and those using them – as safe as possible.

What’s more, MVIS’ 24/7 support service offers a comprehensive level of support no matter what it is you require. Whether you need urgent support or advice on any of our products, or if you need to hire any of our products out of hours, simply email our Team at sales@m-vis.co.uk and you are guaranteed a reply within 4 hours.

Alternatively, if your enquiry is within office hours, call us on 01629 580570 to speak to one of our experienced technicians.

 

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.

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.

Communicate using colours and pictures to keep roads safe

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At MVIS we focus on providing temporary intelligent transport systems to get motorists from A to B as quickly and safely as possible and protect road workers and members of the emergency services.

The VMS we supply offer a 5 colour matrix that includes red, green, blue and white in addition to standard amber for unparalleled visual impact. They also have the functionality to display Chapter 8/MS4 pictograms to convey information effectively without using words which is particularly useful for foreign drivers.

Our bright, eye-catching displays are proven to grab the motorist’s attention and make clear the course of action they should take, reducing the emotional and financial costs associated with congestion and road traffic accidents.

Easy to operate and update (using Windows based software either onsite or remotely) VMS are portable and highly adaptable and we use the latest display technology to ensure our solar-powered, low energy LED signs remain effective and reliable in all conditions.

Key benefits:

•    Wide range of colours and pictograms gives strong visual impact and improves motorist response
•    Information can be updated instantaneously to reflect the changing traffic situation
•    Signs are mobile so offer huge flexibility  for example for evolving road works where signs need to be regularly repositioned
•    National coverage means we can respond to urgent situations quickly
•    Range of sizes available
•    All signs conform to Traffic Signs Regulations (TSRGD)

We work closely with all our customers to ensure we provide the best solution for their circumstances. Contact us on 01629 580 570 to discuss yours.

Zero “shunt rate” for A-one+ thanks to MVIS’ VMS

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As a leading temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider, MVIS was delighted by the recent news that thanks to the use of a variable message sign (VMS) system, provided by MVIS, during the recent A1 refurbishment there was zero standing traffic related incidents.

The northbound refurbishment on the A1 between Newcastle and Gateshead was carried out by A-one+ and the company firmly believes that the result of no standing traffic related incidents was achieved thanks to the VMS package provided by intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider MVIS.

From July through to August, 10 VMS-C variable message signs were operational. The VMS-C is an innovative intelligent transport system (ITS) solution that features a changeable display, like all MVIS’ VMS they are now available through a nationwide network of depots – meaning they can be rapidly deployed to where they are required. In this instance the signs switched between showing speed roundels and three colour Chapter 8/MS4 style pictograms in the event of standing traffic caused by lane closures. The highly conspicuous display on the MVIS supplied VMS was easily spotted by motorists who reacted accordingly.

A-One+ had high praise for the VMS and the highly visible pictograms they display, especially as when they carried out an identical project on the southbound carriage in 2009, using fixed frame signs, there were several standing traffic related incidents. These were avoided thanks to the visibility of the intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provided by MVIS.

Speaking about the VMS supplied by MVIS, A-one+ incident manager of operations, Ian Lee said:

“Not only did MVIS’ VMS facilitate a rapid message change in response to the quickly changing traffic situation, but the high visibility of the three colour pictograms engendered an instant motorist reaction, promoting the safety of road workers, police and motorists alike.

“Without a doubt, the zero shunt rate during this year’s refurbishment works was the result of the deployment of MVIS’ VMS signs, with their market-leading software technology.”

MVIS managing director, Pat Musgrave added: “MVIS has long-championed the health and safety benefits of its VMS, and is pleased to have been able to demonstrate these to the advantage of the A-one+ project.”

MVIS has a wide range of intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions which includes ANPR, CCTV and radar. To discuss ITS Solutions, you can contact MVIS on 01629 580 570.

 

Mobile Visual Information Systems

01629 580 570

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