3 January 2012

Numerous new road signs are proposed under traffic signs policy paper entitled Signing the way, which was published by the Department for Transport in October. 2011. They include for instance additional blue "unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles" signs, which the DfT says are needed as a result of growing use of satellite navigation by truck drivers; and an official "Electric vehicle charging point" sign.

There is also a proposal to clarify some existing signs such as the red circle with a human figure in it (meaning no pedestrians) by adding a diagonal red "cancellation" bar.

Generally the document is distinctive for proposing to relax many of the procedures applying to authorities wanting to erect or remove signs. It aims to keep red tape to a minimum, while also reducing roadside clutter, clarifying signs and reducing their carbon impact.

 

Satnav giant TomTom argues that the best way for truck drivers to avoid unsuitable roads is to use its truck-specific PRO Truck satnav system. The company acknowledges that signing is bound to help, but of course an on-board system will work whether there are signs in place or not. The latest PRO9150 version comes with a large 5in screen.

Traffic signing specialist Buchanan Computing, whose SignPlot software is one of the leading packages for designing road signs, says the full set of recommendations in the document will take several years to come into force, and will require two new sets of TSRGD (Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions).

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