Messagemaker Displays

Here we catch up with Messagemaker Displays’ Marketing Executive, Kelly Spear, to learn about her background, current role and extensive pet collection

Getting Started in marketing and joining Messagemaker Displays
My marketing career began in 2017 with global technology provider and distributor Westcon-Comstor as a Marketing Apprentice. Since then, I’ve worked for various large B2B companies including Sivantos Group and, most recently, Restore Record Management. I have progressed from Marketing Assistant to Marketing Executive roles, and last year I secured my job here at Messagemaker Displays. The team have been incredibly welcoming and I’ve enjoyed getting up to speed with both the Stocksigns and Messagemaker brands ever since.

My role here at Messagemaker
Much like any other marketing role, my role here at Messagemaker is incredibly varied. A typical day can include organising marketing campaigns and materials, drafting and uploading blogs, updating and maintaining the website, creating email campaigns, helping with social media content and reporting on campaign results to the sales team. Of course, there are plenty of one-off projects that crop up to keep me on my toes too!

Although most of my work has a digital focus, Daniella, our Marketing and Graphics Manager has been on maternity leave so I have been looking after a few other marketing areas, including managing the flow of content from our external PR agency.

My role in sustainability for both the Messagemaker and Stocksigns brands
When I was first interviewed, I mentioned my interest in sustainability – not only the environmental aspects but the social ones too. Whilst I try my best to recycle and live in a more sustainable manner personally, I believe that there is more that companies can do and afford in terms of operating more sustainably.

I do tend to do more sustainability work on the Stocksigns side of the business, getting us to Silver status with the Supply Chain Sustainability School. That being said, all the insights I gather from workshops and webinars that I attend are shared with the entire wider company here on a monthly basis, both Stocksigns and Messagemaker alike.

Life outside of work
I have loved animals since my entire life, so it’s no wonder I have garnered a bit of a menagerie at home. It’s a bit like being in a insect and reptile sections at a zoo!

I have tarantulas in just about every size, shape and colour (including one so blue you’d think it was photoshopped), a couple of scorpions, a centipede, various isopod species, 3 leopard geckos, 3 crested geckos, a leachianus giant gecko, a dwarf monitor lizard and a box full of fruit beetles that eat my leftover fruits. Before I dived into the world of marketing I studied Animal Care at Brinsbury College and volunteered at a local falconry centre. One of the things I would love to do one day is volunteer with animal conservation programmes, such as working with sharks off the coasts of South Africa.

I am an animal lover first and a gamer second – you can often find me on my PC at home or Nintendo Switch during work breaks. My taste in videogames is rather broad, as I am often playing Warhammer 40,000 games, various survival crafters such as The Forest, and the occasional bit of Stardew Valley or The Sims. I’m also a Star Wars nerd – I even have my own Mandalorian cosplay – and am planning to go to the next Star Wars Celebration in Japan in 2025. Finally, I also love creating artwork, and at one time considered a career as a digital illustrator and animator. As such, my notepads are always covered in doodles – mostly of dragons.

Looking for the right signage and service? We go overboard!
Whatever the project, and whatever the requirements we take pride in the service we offer. Andy Norman, who has been a Key Account Manager here for eight years, talks about a project he worked on to help international ferry company Stena Line find the right LED signage that would effectively organise port traffic.

“Brexit has had a big impact on the travel industry. For Stena Line, changes in Border Force, HMRC and custom check regulations meant that different groups of passengers had to be allocated to different areas of the port before boarding. Any new signage needed to relay instructions clearly and quickly to passengers navigating in and around two ports: Fishguard and Holyhead.

When Stena Line got in touch with us, I was appointed the team’s dedicated contact. Once I understood the requirements, my first step was to offer advice on a variety of solutions in line with the latest government travel regulations, as well as a summary of what would be considered best practice. A range of mobile temporary signage was clearly the best option, and we recommended our VMS (Variable Message Sign) Medium Trailers and VMS Tower Units.

Both provide clear messaging, a good viewing distance and are easy to transport. Our engineers then adapted one of the Tower Units to be compatible with both mains power and solar to provide further flexibility for the customer and to suit their on-site needs. Of course, the fact that the VMS trailers and units are energy efficient and feature an auto shut-down function to prevent the batteries overcharging were additional but important advantages.

With all the same key features as the Trailer Unit, the Tower Unit is designed for when space is at a premium, with a small footprint and retractable stabiliser legs. As such, it’s easy to transport and deploy, so again it was another good option given the flexibility that Stena Lina needed.

This project is one I’m personally really proud of. I think our Messagemaker engineers did great work on the bespoke elements; adapting the units to meet the needs of the site. We always want to go that extra mile for our clients, and so we also provided the Stena Line team with training to ensure they knew how to deploy and use the signage as and when it would be required.”

This year the Messagemaker team and our friends over at Balfour Beatty, Gatwick Airport, VVB Engineering, Mason Street Furniture, Tennants UK climbed the highest mountain in Poland, Mount Rysy and take a trek through Paradise Valley for a local charity – The Children’s Trust


Melissa Barker gives the low down on the trip:
Now I have had the chance to take stock & reflect on what’s been an unforgettable few days in Slovakia, the graft, the slog, the self-doubt. The team struggling, and you want to give up but know you shouldn’t. You Finally approach the summit, eyes widen, heart races. You find those final steps, raise your hand in victory touch the summit stone… Then it’s all downhill from there!

Day 1 Paradise Valley
No snakes just ladders and lots of them! We walked just over 13 and a half miles with an elevation game of 2999ft. This was the warm-up of exceedingly strenuous valleys, gullies, and ravines. It includes 75m ladder climbs, waterfalls, and some jaw-dropping scenery. For this challenge, A person who is sure-footed, unlikely to slip or stumble, and has a good head for heights is the ideal candidate!

I am pleased to say that even with a wobbly ladder here and there and no safety equipment, the team took it all in their stride and got on with it.

It was a peak experience!

Although our legs really hurt after this hike. But that’s fine, who KNEES ’em?

Day 2 Mount Rysy climb
A 13hr, 14 miles & 1,400m ascent of Poland’s highest mountain from the Slovakian side of the High Tatras. It was a very early start for the crew again on Sunday. We had no idea how long this would actually take. Day two was so tough. As one, we tackled valleys, a series of rails, cables, and bridges steep rocky switchbacks, scorching midday heat & some lethal snowy sections to reach the 2500m summit.

No one was prepared for the steep slippery snow section, we had quite a few falls and lots of snow ploughing on the way down. There were so many technical sections. If you are not one for heights then this would have not been for you! walking next to the rock’s face, a tad scary.

Simply a monumental effort from everyone involved. The scenery was out of this world.

After the poorly knees, the crew put in a ton of leg work today. Actions peak louder than words.

Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory! We have definitely put in the legwork!

The charity for this year’s challenge is The Children’s Trust. The UK’s leading charity for children with injury. Based in Tadworth (local to our Stocksigns/Messagemaker HQ) the Trust runs a range of specialist care, education, and therapy services for children and young people from across the UK and is the UK’s largest rehabilitation centre for children with acquired brain injury.

We are so pleased and proud to share that we raised over £15,000 for the Children’s Trust in Tadworth. Thank you all for your support and donations, this fantastic amount of money, and will go a long way in helping this fantastic charity.

Road tunnels are an integral part of transportation infrastructure across the world. They connect cities and provide an efficient way to travel through difficult terrains, such as mountains or bodies of water. They play a vital role in the movement of commercial goods and personal vehicles. Overall, tunnels contribute a lot to the overall economy and quality of life for UK residents.


LED signage is essential in providing real-time information to road users, such as lane closures or speed limit changes, which improves overall traffic flow and reduces congestion. Additionally, LED signs are visible in low-light conditions, reducing the risk of accidents caused by poor visibility.

Lane Control Signs
For tunnels with multiple lanes, a series of Lane Control Signs are a must-have. These signs switch between a red cross, to indicate a closed lane, and a green arrow to indicate the open lane(s). These highly visible signs are an essential and simple way of managing traffic.

With SMD LED technology, Lane Control Signs from Messagemaker Displays eliminate glare and light pollution. As a result of the energy-efficient technology, the sign produces minimal heat, thus eliminating the need for any cooling or defogging equipment.

By investing in LED lane control signage, road authorities can prioritize the safety of drivers and passengers while also improving the efficiency of road transportation.

Speeding has been a major concern to parishioners for many years and is regularly an issue raised at Parish Council meetings and in public consultations.
Did you know that 99% of all speeding cars in villages are driven by residents and local people?

Commuters rushing to catch trains, parents dropping off children, residents driving familiar roads to work, or day to runnings.

Vehicle Activated Speed Signs (VAS) are highly advanced, eye-catching signs used on both public and private highways across the whole of the UK. These devices have been proven to have a drastic impact on the road in regard to traffic calming and speed reductions.

The SAM (Smiley Activated Message) Signs are proving popular all over the UK. This sign is a ‘softer’ message which provides visual feedback through the use of a ‘red sad face’ for speeding vehicles, and a ‘green smiley face’ for those not speeding.

Some devices can come equipped with data capture functionality, allowing the user to download and analyse data as recorded from vehicles triggering the device. The user will be able to establish trends regarding passing vehicles, for example, peak times at which vehicles may be speeding. This can then be used to put in place further traffic calming measures, such as variable speed limits during peak speeding hours.

Over two and a half week period, following the implementation of a Messagemaker Displays VAS on a road in a local village, recordings were taken on the 1st of September, 7th of September, and 17th of September. Most notably, the average speeds and the highest speeds were analysed. The average speed reduced from 39mph to 38.8mph, to 28.8mph respectively. The Highest recorded speed also fell from 61.8mph to 60.4mph, to 46.6mph respectively.

So, has the reduction in speed limit through these villages made a difference? We know the answer to this because multiple Parish Councils have purchased our SIDs, SAMs, or SLR speed signs.
Believe it when you read it and we will let you be the judge of that, the proof is in the pudding!

When speaking to our customers we asked:

Whilst speeding motorists might not be happy, what is your community’s perception of
the sign and do they think it has improved safety?
“The sign has been received well in the community and we can see from the data that people generally slow down by at least a couple of miles per hour on seeing the smiley face.

From a personal point of view when I have occasionally driven past, the calibration of the speed seems reasonable which I think is good. Because when I see other signs where the speed is badly calibrated, it feels like you don’t take it seriously because it’s so wrong.

On the whole, when I see other people drive through the village you can certainly tell that it makes a few of them think and slow down, so that’s good.”

“All drivers on our site have said about how the sign makes them realise they are going above the site speed limit and have all noticed how well the sign works”All drivers on our site have said about how the sign makes them realise they are going above the site speed limit and have all noticed how well the sign works”

Why 20mph Speed Limit Zones are being Implemented
In the event that a vehicle travelling at a speed of 30mph hits a pedestrian, there is a one-in-five chance that the pedestrian will be killed.

A crash at 30mph involves around twice as much destructive potential as a crash at 20mph.

From 17 September 2023, Wales is introducing a default 20mph speed limit on restricted roads. They are the first UK country to implement legislation to have a default 20mph speed limit on roads used by cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Benefits of switching to a 20mph Speed Limit
– Reduce the chances of mortality and injury in the event of a collision between vehicles and vulnerable road users.
– Make streets safer for residents and business owners, allowing them to walk and cycle more freely.
– Reduces noise and air pollution.

Stocksigns solutions for 20mph zone reduction
Urban 20/30/40
The Urban Vehicle Activated Speed sign is capable of displaying either a 20 or 30mph reminder coupled with a large “SLOW DOWN” message in white LEDs. It is a simple and cost-effective traffic monitoring device to aid in the reduction of road accidents whilst ensuring public safety.

This sign conforms to TSRGD for UK Highways Compliance and uses energy-efficient technology to ensure carbon footprint is minimised.

What are Vehicle Activated Warning Signs?
Vehicle Activated Warning Signs are a TSRGD compliant method for traffic calming and preventing collisions. They are designed for permanent use on public roads.

These devices consist of a large TSRGD compliant symbol featured in the centre, four amber wig-wag beacons in each corner and are usually accompanied by a “SLOW DOWN” message.

Vehicle Activated Warning Sign family
How do Vehicle Activated Warning Signs work?
In a battery-powered unit, a lead acid battery within the device feeds into a charge controller, providing power to the device. As a vehicle approaches the VAWS device, the integrated vehicle detection radar notifies the device’s control board. The control board will then illuminate the LEDs in the sign.

The signs can be pre-configured with any required trigger speeds and settings.

Types of Vehicle Activated Warning Signs
Vehicle Activated Warning Sign
Featuring an eye-catching printed reflective TSRGD sign, four flashing amber beacons and a SLOW DOWN message in white LEDs. With a larger variation also available, the Vehicle Activated Warning Sign can also accommodate higher-speed roads.

Messagemaker Displays has implemented a new Quarterly Volunteering Programme for 2023, and to kick off, a small team from different departments had a mucky Friday out-of-office helping out at Surrey Docks Farm. We feel very strongly about corporate social responsibility and know the value and importance of giving back to the community.
Who are Surrey Docks Farm?
Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm and charity that enables the whole community to learn about farming, food production, and the natural environment. They deliver a range of accredited training projects for adult students with learning disabilities and get involved with community projects. They are also particularly reliant on donations to help them stay open so volunteering is essential for them to keep going strong.

So what did we do?
We were welcomed by the lovely Gemma who gave us a tour of the farm where we learned all about the charity and the community projects that they run. There was also a young group of pupils from their Forest School on the day. The Forest School is a long-term program that teaches through play, exploration, and healthy risk-taking solving real-life problems, and building self-belief and resilience through hands-on experiences. More of their workshops can be found here

Surrey Docks Farm Blog - Team Photo
Our guide and supervisor for the day Gemma, pointed out the large rainwater tanks around the site which the farm uses to harvest rainwater. This water, collected from the building roofs, is used to flush the toilets for most of the year.

Little did we know, the site, a former wharf, has had at least seven different uses over the last 300 years – most of which have left something behind that we can see at the Farm today, from physical structures to artifacts found on the foreshore. You can read more about it here

Following the tour, we had our health and safety briefing when it was time for us all to muck in and muck out!

Time to get to work
We worked hard in the morning on animal care duties: mucking out the goats, sweeping the goat’s yard (two minutes later it needed doing again!) grooming and mucking out the donkeys, sweeping the sheep’s yard, and taking the younger goats for a walk!

We all had time for a goat selfie or two!

The fun part was taking it in turn, to work on biochar processing to add to their compost production, by the end of the day some of us had great techniques.

Reducing Speed and Improving Safety in Hammerwich
A Messagemaker VAS Solution
Melissa Barker Interviews Dave King
On the 8th of December, Melissa Barker made her way up to Hammerwich to meet a gentleman named Dave King. Dave has purchased a few speed signs from us over the years for his village and she was keen to get his feedback on the signs and how they have made a positive impact on the village.

What issues did Hammerwich face on their roads to start looking at road safety/speed solutions?
People come into and out of the village from fast roads. They come off the M6 toll road, the A5 dual carriageway. When coming into the village there is only one sign saying 30 miles per hour, and then they are distracted by a roundabout. They come off these fast roads, and they feel they can still go fast as this road is quite straight.

Having regular speed watch sessions did give us some very accurate data on the mean average, top and bottom speeds.

With the speed watch, we do not record anyone doing less than 36. Before the smiley speed sign SID we would report at least 45 people in an hour. On average the lowest speed recorded would be 36 and the top speed 65, shocking. Speed watch is run by volunteers, at best once a month, which means each road gets one hour every two months. SIDs are there 24-7, they never rest.


Speedwatch is generally not very popular whilst the SIDs seem to be. Where the two villages merge into each other, at peak times we can have around 1000 vehicles an hour going through. When the traffic comes off the roundabout it goes along Highfields and Hospital Road, this is where they start to speed up. Speeding has always been an issue.

Were concerns voiced by the local community? If so, what were people worried about?
They were worried about boy racers going past them to see how fast they could make it go. But hasn’t happened in 3 years. There were also concerns about vandalism, which has not happened.

Why were LED speed signs considered a solution?
We looked at where’s the traffic fastest. Highfields is on a hill, and traffic comes up here at a reasonably good speed, most people were doing over 30 miles per hour, we did a speed watch from where the camera is now placed as it got more people speeding coming up than going down, but the speeds were higher going down.

The SID at the top of the hill reminds people as they are gathering speed to go downhill and it just checks them. At the bottom, the mean average speed must have dropped from 45 down to about 38 – a significant drop.

Were other solutions looked at? Whether LED or non-LED.
I was the only councillor who wanted speed bumps. We also looked at little insets chicanes but found they were so expensive, then we were quoted from £45000 for a zebra crossing. Cost-effective signs were a much better thought.

Why were SAM signs chosen?
We looked at a few solutions but felt the only one for us was the smiley face, also both the roads that we have covered are school runs which are very important.

I spotted these when I was out for a drive with my wife in the Shropshire villages. I thought to myself I would take more notice of this sign than a sign that instructed slow down. They ask you to respect the residents in the area in a subliminal way.

Why was Solar chosen?
A Neighbouring village, which I have some friendly banter with, went with a cheaper option, which was not waterproof, and you need to recharge yourself regularly. Within two years the guy got fed up charging them, and they probably only worked once every two months. One day when he opened them up everything had gone green inside so they scrapped the whole idea. Solar is maintenance-free.

What do you like about the product?
One great feature of Messagemaker’s SIDs is the solar panel, which gives us the benefit of knowing it will work 24 hours a day every day with no attention.

We have a parish council meeting every month, prior to installing SIDs, we would have speeding complaints on the agenda at most meetings. Post SID: I can’t remember a complaint. (That’s probably down to the visibility of the SIDs)

What would you improve about the product?
Whilst I wish it was cheaper, there is a difference between cheap and value for money. That is exactly what we have here.

Never buy the cheapest – always go for the best value.

How have the signs been received by the local community?
We thought the SIDs would be received well. Positive feedback to a council is quite rare. We had numerous emails and texts complimenting us on our initiative, and I cannot recall negative comments, (even from our Victor Meldrews). The signs have been revived far better than we expected.

I am impressed with the response shown by drivers.
Public participation is the key, and we seem to be getting it.
A young child in the village, comments to her parents we got a green smiley face.
“I got a smiley green face yesterday, quite pleased!”
“ I live on Highfie

An Introduction to VVB Engineering and the Project
VVB Engineering offers Mechanical, Electrical, and Telecom engineering expertise and services for UK infrastructure projects. They design, install, commission, and maintain various projects, including supporting multiple Highways programmes – to help keep the UK moving.

The team at Messagemaker Displays was contacted to provide a new tidal flow solution along the A470 North Road in Cardiff. Our signs were reverse-engineered to replace the old Thermotor Lane Control Signs whilst maintaining integration with the existing UTC control system.

The original signs at the site on North Road were regularly failing due to water ingress issues. The system that these signs relied on consisted of 3 separate gantries with 6 signs on each gantry (3 primary and 3 secondary signs).

The main issue is that all 18 signs needed to be functional at all times for the whole system to be operational – so when one or more signs failed, the system would be forced into failsafe mode. This meant that for safety reasons limits were imposed on the operators in the control room for setting different modes until the issue is fixed.

Due to the age of the existing signs, it was becoming very difficult and costly for VVB to repair failed signs to maintain the system. Every time a sign failed, either a lane closure or complete road closure had to be set up to access and remove the failed signs.

In the UK, Variable Message Signs (VMS) are a key method of communicating information to motorists about road conditions or specific events for their own safety. Here, we look at how VMS units work, the different options available and the benefits from using these systems.

What are Variable Message Signs?
VMS products are an integral part of the UK’s intelligent transportation system. Featuring LED screens to display messages on a range of events, these signs assist drivers and enable them to make safer, more informed decisions. This may come in the form of reducing travel speed, changing lanes or simply increasing awareness of upcoming traffic.

A brief history of Variable Message Signs
While the first major use of VMS units dates back to the 1950s in the United States, other countries like the UK were much slower to adapt. Initially, they used neon tubing to present messages and only alerted motorists to road accidents ahead. Since then, the modern era of VMS systems has adopted remotely controlled LED displays that allow operators to communicate graphics, coloured text and quickly edit signs when required.

As a result, VMS products are a common feature on public and private roads in the UK. However, for use on public highways, these signs must fit certain specifications and standards that are set out by the UK government to ensure good practice. Published by the Department for Transport, the Traffic Advisory Leaflet covers all roadside VMS systems, from simple flap-type fixed signs to more advanced LED panels, as well as the importance of concise messages and ensuring all information is displayed on a single sign aspect.

How do Variable Message Signs work?
VMS units can operate from a range of wired or wireless communications, such as 4G modems, radio signals or local network links. They are often linked to a manned control centre where the network of signs can be remotely monitored and instantly updated to display the appropriate information to motorists at all times.

There is also a series of additional features that can be integrated with VMS products. For example, vehicle detection radar can automatically trigger the sign when a vehicle is either approaching or exceeding a specified speed limit, while over height detection and wigwag flashing corner lights are other common additions.

These signs are self-diagnostic, with monitoring and error reporting capabilities to alert operators if an issue has occurred. VMS systems can also be powered via a number of different methods, including a mains power supply, rechargeable batteries, and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, or fuel cell technology.


Types of Variable Message Signs
There are two types of VMS units in use in the UK; fixed and temporary. Fixed Variable Message Signs are installed in a single permanent location and placed in highly visible areas that will not be obscured by greenery or man-made structures. They are commonly mounted above highways or displayed in car parks.

The High Speed VMS Display from Messagemaker Displays is a robust and reliable example. Developed to communicate road closures, increased traffic and specific events in the area, this fixed VMS is available in one colour, two colour or full colour matrix displays. The CE-certified product also includes integrated vehicle detection radar and smart sensors to display information to drivers without distracting them.

Temporary Variable Message Signs are designed for ad-hoc usage. Often mounted on wheels or trailers for simple transportation, these signs can be easily deployed to display messages at locations while temporary events take place.

There are a number of temporary VMS systems available from Messagemaker Displays, including the Tower Unit. Built on a jockey wheel for easy manoeuvrability, the Tower Unit has a significantly smaller footprint than traditional VMS units, ideal for use at locations where space is limited. Featuring a rotatable 140-watt solar panel and full GPS tracking as standard, the Tower Unit is also integrated with our own Remote Connect System (RCS) to instantly update messages, compatible using a 4G modem.

What are the benefits of Variable Message Signs?
Energy-efficiency – Often operating on an ultra-low power consumption, they have excellent reliability and a longer overall lifespan compared with alternative smart signage options.
Customisable – Messages can be updated at the touch of button. This is incredibly useful for operators when an incident has just taken place and motorists need to be made aware of the situation immediately.
Visibility – While basic road signs can be difficult to read in poor light or harsh weather conditions, VMS units are a bold and eye-catching communication tool. With safety standards dictating that signage must be viewable in all conditions, the smart sensors can automatically adjust the brightness of the LED displays for optimal viewing.
Renewable energy – Some VM

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is becoming an integral part of business strategy across the world. Sustainability is a key focus for both businesses and individuals alike – we only have one planet after all.

Here at Messagemaker Displays, we are dedicated to keeping our planet alive whilst creating a sustainable supply chain for our customers.

By applying a positive & innovative approach we will overcome problems and embrace new and exciting opportunities together. In taking this approach, we will nurture a great place to work, allowing us to reach our full potential and ultimately share in the company’s success.

Sustainability sits at the heart of all our innovations


Every progressive step must be a step towards lowering our carbon footprint and making a positive impact on our environment

Net Zero by 2030
We are dedicated to help create a better environment for wildlife, people and the planet – for both current and future generations.

We are actively measuring, target setting, reducing and offsetting our
carbon emissions in order to reach our goal of becoming Net Zero by 2030.

We are working toward this goal through:

REDD+ Protecting the Amazon and UK Trees
Providing Clean Cookstoves in Kenya
Renewable Energy, delivering wind generation in India

Sustainable Manufacturing
As both a manufacturer and supplier, we recognise that we have an impact on the environment. Through reducing our waste, providing innovative products and recycling, we are able to help keep our planet healthy whilst also sharing the environmental benefits to our customers.

Our sustainable offerings include:

Low power, energy efficient LED signs
Compatibility with renewable power sources
Integration with environmental IoT technologies
Long to reduce repair and waste

Charity
We know the value of giving back to the community. Every year the team takes part in fundraising events. These include challenging hikes and climbs and sleeping rough to raise funds for the homeless.

Here are some of the charities that we support:

YMCA (Redhill)
The Lucy Rayner Foundation
St Catherine’s Hospice
The Children’s Trust
This year, our team spent two days climbing Slovenia’s largest mountain in order to raise money for The Children’s Trust.

In partnership with infrastructure and traffic management specialist ERH Communications, Messagemaker Displays has supplied its remotely programmable Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) signs to help deliver safer routes to schools across Wales due to its data capture capabilities and flexibility to display reduced speed limits when required.

Development
In 2015 the Welsh Government announced a new policy to make routes to schools safer, especially those located on a trunk road. The key focus of the scheme was to create part-time 20mph speed limits around schools. In lowering the speed limit, the aim was to enhance safety before and after school and to make drivers aware of the presence of children. This policy was based on trials conducted elsewhere in the UK, which demonstrated the effectiveness of 20mph speed limits in improving safety.

After being recommended for the project, Messagemaker Displays, in one of its first major traffic sector projects, developed a new electronic TOPAS approved Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) safety sign with variable messaging capabilities. Using 3G data modems, the signs are remotely programmable to allow the 20mph speed limit to be displayed during the required hours and return automatically to the normal speed limit outside of these times. To date, more than 700 of Messagemaker Displays’ signs have been installed on numerous roads around schools as part of this scheme.

The use of electronic signs, and VAS signs in particular, was the approach recommended in the Government guidance. This was based on the findings of a part-time 20mph speed limit trial in Scotland, which utilised standard speed limit roundel plates with flashing amber lights. It was found that these signs were confusing to drivers and therefore were not as effective in reducing speed and improving safety.

Furthermore, the signs selected for the scheme needed to allow the flexibility to only have the reduced speed limit in operation when it was needed. Therefore, it was important to be able to easily set the days and times to correspond to the schedule of each school. This includes ensuring the signs are not active on inset or teacher training days as well as any other time when the pupils are not present. With the Messagemaker Displays solution, the full school year calendar can be remotely uploaded to the signs so it only shows the lowered speed on the relevant days.

Intelligent sign technology
The low wattage, mains powered signs – consuming on average 31W of power when in operation – use the latest LED technology to ensure the speed limit is bright and visible. The optics of the new generation signs are fully compliant with EN 12966 and have a narrower, yet brighter beam to reduce light pollution to adjacent buildings and houses. The LED display has 128 levels of brightness to suit all conditions from bright daylight to night-time.

To support enforcement of the lowered speed limit, it was important for the activated signs to appear correctly in police photographs when used as evidence of speeding offences. The Messagemaker Displays signs used for this scheme had a higher than standard refresh rate, more than 1,000 Hz, to achieve this. The signs underwent extensive testing to receive approval from the police and Welsh Government.

In addition, the signs used in the scheme have to collect traffic and speed data at all times to monitor their own effectiveness in reducing speed and assess the need for enforcement measures. The Messagemaker Displays signs feature data capture capabilities and the remote connectivity makes retrieval of the collected information simple.

Results
This data demonstrated that the VAS signs were effective in heavily limited speed when activated during specific periods of the day. For example, at Milford Haven School where the signs were programmed at the start and end of the school day, the data found that there was a 20% reduction in average speed, a 36% in average minimum speed and a 12% reduction in average maximum speed.

Outcome
Santosh Surabi, Technical Director at Messagemaker Displays said: “We are proud to have been part of this pioneering scheme, which has made a real difference to the safety of roads around schools across Wales. The first signs to be installed have now been operating continually for more than six years with only one unit replaced across the entire scheme in that time.”

Messagemaker Displays is continuing to work with the local councils on rolling out upgrades to the signs. The signs’ technology also has the flexibility to upgrade the modems to 4G and integrate further technologies, such as various vehicle detection radars and renewable power sources.

An Introduction to LED Traffic Signs
LED traffic signs are illuminated roadside signs which serve the purpose of providing information, or warning of upcoming hazards, to approaching vehicles. There are two main types of LED traffic signs; variable message signs (VMS), and fixed message LED signs. These signs can be permanent and fixed in place, or they can be temporary on a mobile base for easy maneuvering to different locations.

VMS are comprised of a full screen of LED’s, meaning messages and symbols can be changed and scheduled. Fixed message LED signs will have a specific arrangement of LEDs to show a specific symbol, message, or both. For example, the Vehicle Activated Warning Sign (VAWS) will illuminate a “SLOW DOWN” message as a vehicle approaches traveling above the road speed limit.

The following post will outline the benefits of LED traffic signs and why they are a key element in the UK highways network.

Up-to-date information
With advanced control boards and modern sign technology, temporary and permanent VMS and fixed message signs can be integrated with highly advanced software’s, which allow users to communicate with signs to display real-time information. This is highly beneficial for traffic management. Using integrated software systems, LED signs can take information from various data sources such as crowd sourcing and in-situ traffic monitoring, which can then be displayed onto the sign.

For example, if a traffic collision has occurred on a highway which caused disruption, this can instantly be communicated to a VMS screen, so a warning hazard symbol can be displayed to road users. Other warnings can include fog ahead, variable speed limits, congestion, and estimated journey times.

Additionally, fixed message VMS can be triggered by each approaching vehicle, instantly flashing and catching the attention of the approaching motorist. For example, the Speed Indicator Device displays the exact speed of a vehicle going above the speed limit in real time.

Eye-catching
LED signs don’t blend into the environment. The bright (and sometimes flashing) lights on an LED sign stand out from their surroundings, allowing the message to be clearer and therefore more likely to have an impact on the road user.

A Vehicle Activated Speed sign (VAS) is a sign that illuminates when the approaching vehicle is traveling above the speed limit. This gives the motorist ownership of the fact that they are speeding.

Safety standards also contribute to the increase in visibility of LED signs. All traffic signs from Messagemaker Displays come equipped with intelligent light sensors to adjust the brightness of the LEDs according to the environment, and angled beam width LEDs to ensure the light is facing directly onto the highway only. This maximizes the visibility of the sign at all times, as well as minimizing the light pollution caused and thus distraction to other road users.

Versatility
With a VMS, the displayed message can change with just the touch of a button. This gives one sign multiple applications as different information can be displayed, depending on the given circumstance. For example, the medium VMS can display information regarding journey times, directions, hazard warnings, and much more. As mentioned previously, these message updates can also be amended in real-time. The versatility of an LED traffic sign provides a large advantage over standard static signs.

There are many benefits of LED traffic signs, which can be categorized into three main areas; up-to-date information, eye-catching, and versatility. Each factor increases the advantage of the signs and gives an edge over static signage.

If you want to find out more about our LED traffic range, why not get in touch or book a visit to our demo room and check out what we have to offer?

Every year the team at Messagemaker Displays with friends like to push themselves above and beyond for charity. Over the past few years, they have trekked Toubkal, dashed around Dingle, swapped their beds for cardboard boxes in winter, slept rough for the night, and more.
This year we have taken it to a whole another level. That level is above the clouds! Yes, we went to the clouds and above. After two failed dates, now third time lucky it was finally time to take on the mighty Mt Triglav! This is Slovenia’s largest mountain and it stands at 9396ft, just shy of 3,000m in elevation we climbed this mountain for over two days.

Who are we fundraising for?
The charity for this year’s challenge is The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with acquired brain injury. Located in Tadworth (local to our Messagemakerdisplays HQ) the trust runs a range of specialist care, education and therapy services for children and young people from across the UK and is the UK’s largest rehabilitation centre for children with acquired brain injury.

Day 1
The only way is up… we climbed a total of 5,025ft elevation.
The team walked just over 5 miles to get to the mountain hut, which doesn’t sound like a lot but with the steep elevation and rocky terrain it took the team just under 5 hours to climb.

Starting out at the bottom the adventurers were all very chatty but it didn’t take long for it that change to breathless chatting. The beautiful Slovenian landscape included a walk through a beautiful herd of cows and they were lucky enough to spot a couple of Ibex, who looked incredibly graceful walking up and down the side of the rocky mountains, unlike our scrambling team!

The summit is about a 2.5km scramble and climb, taking around 1.5 hours each way the climbing route (via Ferrata)… What is a Via Ferrata, you may ask? Well, a Via Ferrata is a mountain pathway that consists of a series of rails, cables, and bridges that lead you from the starting point to the end, walking next to the rock’s face, is a tad scary. There were so many technical sections, if you are not one for heights then this is not for you.

That climb was an uphill battle, the struggles some of them were facing were not fun. The fear of falling, fear of heights, and the concentration on where your next footing is got the adrenaline pumping.

Day 2
Winter is coming! Up to the Summit, 1200ft elevation.
Forget whatever heat wave England is having, after the storms and hail and snow, the team got dressed for North Pole weather…never underestimate extreme and unpredictable mountain weather.

Leaving the mountain hut at 4.30am with the mountain guides, the team was all ready with the safety equipment to make the journey to the summit.

After a tricky steep hike, the team reached their base for the night on Mount Triglav and were greeted with blue skies and a well-earned Slovenian beer. When they finally decided to lay their heads down for the night, they were not in for a quiet night. On top of the snoring and sleep talking, an almighty storm surrounded the mountain hut, throwing in hail, thunder, and lightning … very very frightening!

When we made it to the top it was all downhill from then!
Eventually, after scrambling and climbing on feet, hands, and even our bottoms, they finally made it. The views were beyond incredible, with all the endorphins kicking in, the team felt (literally) on top of the world.

While they were physically tired climbing up to the peak, it was more about the mental fatigue going down. There was a lot of sliding on bottoms and crawling down, there was no graceful like the mountain goats!

The Messagemaker Displays team was joined by friends from Balfour Beatty, Gatwick Airport, Nebosh, Tennants UK, and more. They are proud to share with you that w over £15,000 has been raised for the Children’s Trust.

Thank you all for your support and donations, this fantastic amount of money, and will go a long way in helping this fantastic charity.

Lane controls signs are an effective tool in traffic management, both on public highways and for private usage. Using simple and effective communication, these signs control traffic flow through the use of opening and closing lanes to enhance safety and efficiency on our roads.

Road users will recognise the signs from the increasing amount of smart motorways, but their uses go far beyond that. For everything you need to know about lane control signs, we have created the following guide.

What are Lane-Use Control Signs?
Lane-use control signs comprise of LEDs arranged in specific patterns, which illuminate in different colours and symbols according the given circumstances. If a lane is open, a green arrow will illuminate, and if a lane is closed, a red cross will illuminate and some variations include a white arrow to indicate a lane change.

These signs are typically situated overhead of vehicles to indicate the specific use of the lane or entrance. The standout design of an LED lane control sign has proven an effective tool in the improvement of both road safety and traffic efficiency.

Where are Lane-Use Control Signs Used?
Lane control signs have application on both public highways and for private use.

Public Highways and the Stategic Road Network
From Smart Motorways to Tidal Flow systems, lane-use control signs have many different applications. They are commonly used on smart motorways to indicate whether the lane is open or closed due to various reasons such as a traffic collision, roadworks, a breakdown, or other similar scenarios.

These signs are also being used on highways where lanes are reversed depending on traffic volume. This is known as a ‘Tidal flow’ system, where lane directions are changed to improve traffic flow.

Other application on the public highway includes tunnels, toll booths, or large parking garages, to indicate whether or not an approaching motorist may enter the lane.

Private Applications
Large car parks, garages, depots, ports and quarries are a few examples of where lane-use control signs are used to indicate whether or not an approaching motorist may enter the lane or entrance. This can include navigating heavy goods vehicles to loading bays, motorists through ferry ports or directing cars to open garages.

What are Lane-Use Control Signs used for?
The primary functions of lane control signs are to enhance both road safety and road efficiency.

Motorways
As previously mentioned, lanes can be subject to closures following traffic collisions and breakdowns so with the use of lane control signs, these lane can be better communicated to motorists to closures allow for a safer journey for vehicles passing the incident.

Smart motorways rely on integrations between the LED signs and other technologies to ensure lane closures are correctly managed, it also relies on motorists understanding how to use it. In the UK, the rollout is currently “paused until 5 years’ worth of safety data is available” (Gov.uk) whilst the existing smart motorways are “further upgraded with best-in-class technology and resources” to ensure the safety of motorists and road workers.

Furthermore, a lane closure following a traffic collision, roadworks, a breakdown, or other similar scenarios, will minimise any disruption that may have been caused, thus maintaining a steady flow of traffic, minimising air pollution, and most importantly avoiding further collisions.

Tidal Flow
Another example of lane control signs enhancing road efficiency is the aforementioned ‘Tidal flow’ system. This system is being used more commonly across the UK now to make use of the available lanes in a more efficient way. Through the use of lane control signs, a Tidal flow system allows the middle lane to alternate between north and southbound (or east and west), whilst the direction of the outer lanes remain consistent. This system is highly effective on roads leading into urban areas where commuters will be heading into the city in the morning and leaving in the evening. The Tidal flow allows maximum road usage during peak hours of the morning and evening.

Private Applications
As mentioned previously there are a variety of applications where lane-use control signs would benefit. Large hazardous areas such as ferry ports and depots have busy on-site traffic, loading bays to get to and a mix of pedestrians and heavy good vehicles, so clearly indicating open and closed routes, bays and entrances will help control traffic flow. Other signs, printed and LED, can complement lane-use control signs by providing clear direction around a site, be used as warning signs for potential hazards or minimise speeding.

Meanings of Different Lane-Use Control Signals

Downward Green Arrow
The downward green arrow indicates that the lane below is open and traffic is free to flow through. From the opposite direction of the green arrow, a red cross will usually be displayed.

Red X
The red X indicates

Vehicle Activated Speed Signs (VAS) are highly advanced, eye-catching signs used on both public and private highways across the whole of the UK. These devices have been proven to have a drastic impact on the road in regards to traffic calming and speed reductions.

The following guide aims to provide an overview of VAS. This will include a detailed explanation of what VAS are and how they work, a brief history of the development and implementation of VAS, and their applications.

What are Vehicle Activated Speed Signs?
Vehicle Activated Speed Signs are roadside LED signs which indicate whether or not an approaching vehicle is traveling above the road speed limit. There are 3 variations of VAS, each with slightly different functionalities; the Speed Limit Reminder (SLR), the Speed Indicator Device (SID), and the Smiley Activated Message (SAM).

The SLR is triggered by an approaching vehicle that is travelling above the speed limit of the road. The sign will then display the road speed limit inside a red circle with a “SLOW DOWN” message below.

Similarly, the SID will also display a “SLOW DOWN” message should a motorist be travelling above the speed limit, however the numbers above will reflect the exact speed of the approaching vehicle. The number will also be displayed if the vehicle is travelling below the speed limit, however the “SLOW DOWN” message will not appear.

The SAM also displays the speed at which any motorist is travelling. When detecting a speed below the limit, a green smiley face will illuminate below the displayed speed, and when detecting a speed above the limit, a red sad face will illuminate.

History of Vehicle Activated Speed Signs
“Speed sensing signs” were first trialled back in 1979 in Hampshire. Since then, continuous research and development has been conducted to improve and progress to what we know today as the modern VAS. Messagemaker Displays have been configuring and supplying state of the art VAS since 2011. Signs nationwide have since been required to conform to EN12966 in 2014, and must be designed to mirror the TSRGD standards, should they be permanently placed on a public highway. A huge emphasis has been placed on quality on the development of Messagemaker VAS, ensuring the most accurate and effective devices possible.

How do Vehicle Activated Speed Signs work?
There are three ways in which VAS can be powered; battery, solar or mains powered. In a battery powered unit, a lead acid battery within the device will feed into a charge controller, providing power to the device. On a full charge from a power cable plugged into a three-pin wall socket, the battery’s power will last around 45,000 triggers (one trigger= one vehicle causing the device to power on). A solar powered device will have the same lead acid battery however a solar panel mounted above the device will provide charge to the battery, which will then feed into the charge controller in the same way. For a mains powered device, a slightly different power supply unit (PSU, as opposed to a charge controller) is mounted within the device. This will then be connected to a constant mains power source, such as a roadside lamp post, through a weatherproof cable and convert AC 240V to DC 12V.

Once the charge controller or PSU has power, this will then power a central control board within the sign which will illuminate the LED’s and power a vehicle detection radar. As a vehicle approaches the device, the vehicle detection radar will send information back to the control board which will then illuminate the LED’s accordingly. For example, if a radar on an SLR device detects a vehicle travelling above the speed limit, this will then signal the device to display the speed limit accompanied with the “SLOW DOWN” message. The speed limit, display time of the appropriate message, and the maximum trigger speed at which the sign is configured to, can be programmed and adjusted using three simple internal dials.

What are Vehicle Activated Speed Signs used for?
VAS are predominately used to serve as bright and eye-catching visual reminders of speed limits and speed awareness for road users. Studies have shown that when motorists are made aware of their speed, this can lead to a reduction in speed and therefore accidents.

Furthermore, some devices can come equipped with data capture functionality, allowing the user to download and analyse data as recorded from vehicles triggering the device. The user will be able to establish trends in regards passing vehicles, for example peak times at which vehicles may be speeding. This can then be used to put in place further traffic calming measures, such as variable speed limits during peak speeding hours.

How do Vehicle Activated Speed Signs impact road safety?
As concluded from a VAS device in-situ with data capture functionality, speed signs are highly effective in reducing the average speed of a motorist on a given road.

Over a two and a half week period,

Every 22 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. Now more than ever, road safety is of paramount importance. To combat ongoing road safety issues, legislation changes are being implemented all over the UK, including reducing speed limits in busy residential areas from 30 to 20mph.

Schools zones in particular have faced ongoing challenges in regards to speeding incidents, with research showing over a fifth of drivers exceeding the speed limit around these areas.

The following blog aims to provide an overview of the “20’s plenty” movement, and why it is so important, particularly around school zones.

20’s plenty movement

Back in 2018, 50% of all road casualties occurred on 30mph roads. In an attempt to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on British roads, UK towns and cities have been introducing more and more 20mph zones over the past few years.

There are three primary motivations for implementing 20mph zones; transport related (e.g. casualty and congestion reduction), community related (e.g. community concerns about safety and quality of the environment), and health related (e.g. encouraging more active travel such as walking and cycling).

Further to this, the environmental impact “20’s plenty” can have is yet another reason for the progression of the movement. Research has concluded that driving at slower speeds produces lower emissions when compared to driving at higher speeds, thus improving air quality.

The Welsh Government is set to default speed limits in urban areas from 30 to 20mph as a national requirement by April 2023. So far, 8 communities across Wales have been selected to introduce the new 20mph default speed limit including areas in Pembrokeshire, Cardiff and Monmouthshire. The data gathered from these communities will serve as support to inform future decisions.

School zone congestion and safety issues

For schools all over the UK, the school run can be a cause of huge traffic congestion and major road safety concerns. Congested traffic can then of course lead to wider issues such as journey delays, traffic collisions and a negative environmental impact. Traffic congestion on roads not only increases the fuel consumption, but consequently leads to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and outdoor air pollution as well as an increase in the exposure time of the passengers.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) found that every month 1,200 children are injured in traffic related collisions that occur within a 500m radius of a school. This is commonly occurring drop-off and pick-up times, with nearly half of all road accidents that happen on the road will occur between the hours of 15:00 and 18:00.

How schools can benefit from 20’s plenty

As research proves, lower the speed of the vehicle, the few incidents occur on the roads. When reviewing the impact of the introduction of 20mph limits across Calderdale in West Yorkshire, Councils found there was a 40% reduction in casualties on the roads.

Furthermore, reducing speed limits around school zones will not only ease parental concerns around child safety, but also parental concerns around air quality. As previously alluded to, driving at slower speeds can improve air quality through producing lower emissions.

As research suggests, driving at 20mph allows traffic to flow more freely when compared to driving at 30mph, thus reducing congestion. This is due to motorists making better use of the road space by packing closer, also allowing junctions to work more efficiently and at higher capacity. As slower speeds will help parents and students feel safer on the roads, parents are more likely to leave their vehicles at home, thus further reducing congestion. A reduction in congestion will subsequently lead to vast improvements in journey times and air pollution rates.

The role of signage in school hazard warning and speed enforcing in urban areas

As new laws are introduced, signage will be vital when enforcing changes and creating awareness to road users. LED signage in particular will act as an eye-catching communication tool, alerting motorists to any potential speeding and encouraging them to reduce their speed.

The use of LED signage has been proven to reduce speeding, as concluded from data collected from a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) located in the UK. Over a two and a half week period, following the implementation of a Messagemaker Displays VAS on this road, recordings were taken on the 1st September, 7th September and 17th September. Most notably, the average speeds and the highest speeds were analysed. The average speed reduced from 39mph, to 38.8mph, to 28.8mph respectively. The Highest recorded speed also fell from 61.8mph, to 60.4mph, to 46.6mph respectively.

The vast reduction in speed an LED sign can facilitate can also lead to wider implications on accident prevention and road safety in general; a primary issue around school zones.

At Messagemaker Displays, we have an experienced and knowledgeable team. Here, we talk to Santosh Surabi, our Technical Director, about his current role and the future projects he is looking forward to working on.

Could you tell us a bit about your career history?

I began as a maintenance engineer at a car manufacturing plant as I had always been interested in smart technology, especially when used in commercial and industrial automated systems. From there I moved to Crestron Electronics as a programmer before finally joining Messagemaker Displays in 2013 as a temporary contract engineer to help out on a project. That was eight years ago and I’m now Technical Director. Messagemaker gave me the perfect space to grow as an engineer and bring smart products and solutions to life in various markets.

What does your role ?as Technical Director entail?

It’s a really varied, challenging and exciting role where no two days are the same. Broadly speaking, my job is to bring new and innovative products and solutions to the market, which will ultimately make the lives of our clients easier. To achieve this, I look to develop energy efficient products with advanced and flexible integration capabilities, whilst also working directly with clients on bespoke projects and solutions.

What is a typical working day? for you??

It would usually involve supporting internal and external stakeholders with technical matters and working on short and long-term development projects. I also do a lot of supplier liaison as well as system design for new and ongoing orders. Finally, I have to keep an eye on market trends, which I do on a daily basis.

In terms of the clients I work with, we serve a varied range from small parish councils to government authorities and highways contractors. Thankfully, following the lift in restrictions, we have been able to carry out more site-based work and meet our clients again face to face, which has been great.

What sets Messagemaker Displays’ ?service apart from ?its competitors?

Messagemaker’s ethos has always been to provide exceptional, personal service to our clients. We take pride in looking after our clients right from the initial point of contact to the end of a project’s life cycle. Likewise, when developing new products and solutions we take market feedback very seriously and solve problems collaboratively with our clients, using the latest innovations and simple solutions.

What is Messagemaker doing to respond to environmental concerns?

When developing our products, we are determined to keep their power consumption as low as possible. Most of our products use LEDs, which are intrinsically low power devices. Plus, many of our products can be powered using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. We are actively adding more products to our renewable energy powered signage portfolio every day – to give our customers the flexibilty they need to make renewable energy work for them.

Are there any developments ?in the pipeline for Messagemaker Displays that you ?are particularly excited about?

We are currently working with a high-profile client to develop a renewable energy signage solution that will be used on the UK road network. We are also developing a cloud-based software that will allow users to monitor and control our devices remotely. Both really exciting projects that I can’t say too much about just yet.

Fun fact

Before I started my career, would you believe I was a part time Bingo Caller at Gala Bingo! “Yes two little ducks – 22.”

In the UK, Variable Message Signs (VMS) are a key method of communicating information to motorists about road conditions or specific events for their own safety. Here, we look at how VMS units work, the different options available and the benefits from using these systems.

What are Variable Message Signs?
VMS products are an integral part of the UK’s intelligent transportation system. Featuring LED screens to display messages on a range of events, these signs assist drivers and enable them to make safer, more informed decisions. This may come in the form of reducing travel speed, changing lanes or simply increasing awareness of upcoming traffic.

A brief history of Variable Message Signs
While the first major use of VMS units dates back to the 1950s in the United States, other countries like the UK were much slower to adapt. Initially, they used neon tubing to present messages and only alerted motorists to road accidents ahead. Since then, the modern era of VMS systems has adopted remotely controlled LED displays that allow operators to communicate graphics, coloured text and quickly edit signs when required.

As a result, VMS products are a common feature on public and private roads in the UK. However, for use on public highways, these signs must fit certain specifications and standards that are set out by the UK government to ensure good practice. Published by the Department for Transport, the Traffic Advisory Leaflet covers all roadside VMS systems, from simple flap-type fixed signs to more advanced LED panels, as well as the importance of concise messages and ensuring all information is displayed on a single sign aspect.

Fixed VMS Display P20
How do Variable Message Signs work?
VMS units can operate from a range of wired or wireless communications, such as 4G modems, radio signals or local network links. They are often linked to a manned control centre where the network of signs can be remotely monitored and instantly updated to display the appropriate information to motorists at all times.

There is also a series of additional features that can be integrated with VMS products. For example, vehicle detection radar can automatically trigger the sign when a vehicle is either approaching or exceeding a specified speed limit, while over height detection and wig wag flashing corner lights are other common additions.

These signs are self-diagnostic, with monitoring and error reporting capabilities to alert operators if an issue has occurred. VMS systems can also be powered via a number of different methods, including a mains power supply, rechargeable batteries, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind or fuel cell technology.


Types of Variable Message Signs
There are two types of VMS units in use in the UK; fixed and temporary. Fixed Variable Message Signs are installed in a single permanent location and placed in highly visible areas that will not be obscured by greenery or man-made structures. They are commonly mounted above highways or displayed in car parks.

The High Speed VMS Display from Messagemaker Displays is a robust and reliable example. Developed to communicate road closures, increased traffic and specific events in the area, this fixed VMS is available in one colour, two colour or full colour matrix displays. The CE-certified product also includes integrated vehicle detection radar and smart sensors to display information to drivers without distracting them.

Temporary Variable Message Signs are designed for ad-hoc usage. Often mounted on wheels or trailers for simple transportation, these signs can be easily deployed to display messages at locations while temporary events take place.

There are a number of temporary VMS systems available from Messagemaker Displays, including the Tower Unit. Built on a jockey wheel for easy manoeuvrability, the Tower Unit has a significantly smaller footprint than traditional VMS units, ideal for use at locations where space is limited. Featuring a rotatable 140-watt solar panel and full GPS tracking as standard, the Tower Unit is also integrated with our own Remote Connect System (RCS) to instantly update messages, compatible using a 4G modem.

What are the benefits of Variable Message Signs?
Energy-efficiency – Often operating on an ultra-low power consumption, they have excellent reliability and a longer overall lifespan compared with alternative smart signage options.
Customisable – Messages can be updated at the touch of button. This is incredibly useful for operators when an incident has just taken place and motorists need to be made aware of the situation immediately.
Visibility – While basic road signs can be difficult to read in poor light or harsh weather conditions, VMS units are a bold and eye-catching communication tool. With safety standards dictating that signage must be viewable in all conditions, the smart sensors can automatically adjust the brightness of the LED displays for optimal viewing.
Renewab

A lost time injury board is a bold and effective tool in the communication and prevention of the number of accidents in the workplace. By keeping track of accidents and openly sharing this to both staff and visitors, each individual is kept in the loop and is made aware of the importance of working safely and the effect that not doing so can have. Lost time injury boards can be suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

The following guide aims to identify in depth what lost injury time is, why this matters, and how to improve lost time injury rate, as well as explore further relevant areas and provide an overview of the product as a whole.

What is Lost Injury Time?
Lost injury time is any time that has been lost due to an injury sustained in the workplace. The tracking of lost injury time is highly important as this time can be a useful measure when establishing the effectiveness of a work place’s safety performance. Furthermore, implications on the work place’s overall productivity can also be deduced from the calculation of the lost time injury rate.


What is a Lost Time Accident?
A lost time accident refers to any incident that results in keeping an employee away from work for any period of time, as well as permanent disabilities and conditions that may prevent an employee from ever returning to the job or performing their regular work tasks. Such incidents may include, but are not limited to, slips, trips and falls, sprains or strains, struck by a moving or falling object, and contact with electricity or an electrical charge.

Why Lost Injury Time Matters
Any lost time due to injury can have a drastic impact on a workplace, particularly concerning operating costs and general productivity. When an employee is away from work, productivity is likely to go down as not as many tasks can be performed when understaffed. Moreover, this may also effect the stress level of other employees, whom may experience a large increase in workload in order to cover what would have otherwise been carried out by the absent employee.

If an employee is unable to work for an extended period of time or cannot return to work indefinitely, costs may increase whilst the productivity potentially decreases. Should an employee not return to work the position will most likely need to be filled, so in addition to the cost of recruitment, there will be a vast drop in productivity whilst staff dedicate time to the recruitment process, followed by inductions and training of the new staff member.

Calculating lost injury time can be used as a key indicator of the effectiveness of a company’s health and safety performance, which safety departments and key employees, can use to establish when and where injuries may be occurring. Suitable processes can be put in place to help in the prevention of similar incidents from occurring again in future instances.

How to Calculate Lost Time Injury Rate
To calculate lost time injury rate, there is a simple formula that can be used. Firstly, divide the total number of lost time injuries in a given time period by the total number of hours worked in the given period. Multiply the sum of this by 200,000. 200,000 is a generally accepted baseline number of a lost time injury calculation as this represents 100 employees working for approximately 50 weeks in a year.

The calculation itself will appear as (LTI/Total number of hours in the given period) x 200,000.

As an example; if a company has experienced 2 injuries resulting in lost time, over 175,000 hours worked (hours taken from each individual employee), the calculation will read:

(2/175,000) x 200,000 = 2.29 lost time injury rate per 200,000 hours worked.

This calculation is an excellent indication in regards to an organisation’s safety performance. It can be deduced that the lower the figure as calculated by this formula, the better the organisation’s safety performance.

Lost Time Injury Boards provide a permanent high visibility reminder to help increase awareness and reduce accidents in the workplace. The Lost Time Injury Board is a dynamic, eye-catching display to help keep staff and visitors informed of the time lost as well as the number of incidents occurring. This visual measure of lost injury time can act as a reminder to take extra care around the workplace, enhancing the safety of all employees and visitors.

What Is the Lost Time Injury Average Rate?
Lost time injury rates vary from industry to industry, and the likelihood of suffering from an injury caused at work is statistically a lot more likely in some industries than others. For example, in the construction industry in the UK, an average of around 61,000 workers sustain a non-fatal injury, and 40 are fatally injured. These injuries are mainly from slips, trips and falls, handling, lifting or carrying, and falls from a height. Similarly, around 66,000 non-fatal injuries are sustained on average across the UK manufacturing industry, and 15 workers a

ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition.
Automatic number-plate recognition is a technology that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates to create vehicle location data. It can use existing closed-circuit television, road-rule enforcement cameras, or cameras specifically designed for the task.

This type of system is a very handy tool for any business to have. It will allow you to gain information to help with traffic management and vehicle recognition.

What is Automatic Number Plate Recognition?
This system serves the purpose of vehicle monitoring. It can detect number plates of moving vehicles with agility. Yet it does not fail to provide accurate information about a vehicle. It can also be used to identify threats from vehicles that have been banned from your premises, this is a great way to keep an eye on your premises.

The steps involved.
Capturing the image of the vehicle – An image of the offending vehicle or vehicle of interest will be captured when detected by the ANPR system.

Number plate detection – The ANPR system will then locate the number plate in the image.

Character segmentation – The number plate characters will then be separated to ensure they are clear and concise.

Character recognition – Finally, the system will use the separated images to recognise individual characters and convert them to text, for easy usability for the end user.

ANPR systems provide smarter vehicle surveillance solutions.

Automatic number plate recognition, or ANPR cameras, have been around in the UK for over 15 years, but are becoming a more frequent site along Britain’s roads.

How does it work?
To cut a long story short; a camera takes a picture of a vehicle and uses software to identify characters in the registration number. Once it has “read” a number plate it’s converted into text data and sent to a central database to be recorded.

The cameras are fitted with infra-red sensors. This is so they can get a clear capture of the number plate and avoid glare. They can also work at night.

They are fitted with special software that allows the camera to look for the information it requires.

What is ANPR used for?

ANPR cameras are predominantly used by the police for tackling crime but also by other agencies, such as private parking companies who these the software to track vehicles that are entering and leaving their premises and individual companies to manage their on-site traffic.

ANPR can be used to track vehicles by recording the registration on several cameras across a route, for example. Police also use it to locate wanted criminals by their vehicle or crosscheck with the DVLA database to find untaxed vehicles. Whereas companies can use it to identify speeding vehicles through their car park, in both scenarios, when a vehicle passes an ANPR camera, its registration number is read and instantly checked against database records of vehicles of interest.

In general, number plate recognition cameras can detect or be used to calculate the following:

Average speed of vehicles
Untaxed vehicles
Uninsured vehicles
Stolen vehicles
Instances of terrorism, major and organised crime
Traffic flow
Bus lanes and box junctions
Parking in car parks
The use of toll roads
The London congestion zone
Traffic journey times.
VAS-SNap-ANPR

A brief history of ANPR systems
ANPR was invented in 1976 in the United Kingdom. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) was originally used in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and has since become a standard in traffic control.

In 1993, the London Metropolitan Police implemented the ‘Ring of Steel’ camera network around the City of London – which included ANPR cameras – in a bid to end a series of terrorist bombings conducted by the IRA.

In the late 1990s, technology developments meant that ANPR cameras no longer needed to be assigned pre-defined criteria (such as the angles, directions, and speeds at which vehicles would be passing at). This allowed fixed-ANPR cameras to become mobile.

In 2003, signifying the first large-scale, civic use of ANPR, the London Congestion Charge scheme was created thanks to almost 700 ANPR cameras on every road which enters and exits the Charging Zone.

Parking Management
ANPR cameras automatically read number plates, recording a vehicle’s entry and exit into a car park. If someone has already paid online, the ANPR system will be able to read the number plate, send it to a database, and signal for the barrier to open. It can also detect if the system hasn’t received a payment from a vehicle, making it easy to monitor payments and fines.

Many car parks use ANPR parking systems to monitor the length of time a vehicle was parked and if the parking fee was paid, which can be done by connecting the ANPR system to the database from the car park ticket machine.

ANPR parking has many benefits such as ticketless parking, the ability to track the

Finally, the time had come for Messagemaker Displays to host their first ITS Breakfast Meeting… a real physical, in-person event! The meeting took place on the 11th November at 8. am in the newly built Demo Room in Surrey. As a proud member of ITS UK, we have been eagerly awaiting to host this ITS Breakfast event since March 2020 (something about a pandemic delayed it?)

It was great to open our Demo Room doors and welcome our guests for an insightful ITS Breakfast meeting. Our guests were certainly impressed with the big bacon butties provided, but even more so with the innovative signage solutions on display in the new Demo Room.

After a warm introduction and some breakfast, the first presentation was with Josh Lyne and Vish Kumarasamy who presented about “Delivering road safety to Rural and Urban settings”

Josh Lyne, our Business Development Manager, took our guests through the various issues faced in the UK around speeding and our role in helping improve safety for all road users.. Vish Kumarasamy, our Senior Technical Engineer, then presented the technological solutions available to improve road safety through speed reduction for local and national schemes. The presentation concluded with Josh taking us through an update and analysis of reducing speed signs down to 20mph and why it is so important to saving lives and reducing accidents.

ITS-Josh-and-Vish
Who are ITS UK?
“The independent voice of the ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) sector, with a clear focus on using technology to improve safety, increase mobility and reduce the environmental impact of travel.”

ITS UK
Next up was Senth Ragavan, Product Manager from Clearview Intelligence, who presented an insightful piece about Crowdsourced Data’s Role in Transport Network Management. We learned about the online application that aids the monitoring, visualisation, and analysis of traffic journey times and its role in delivering reliable and accurate journey time information to reduce congestion and accidents

After an interactive discussion and Q & A session, it was time for the factory tour. Danny Adamson, Managing Director, leads our guests for a behind-the-scenes tour of Messagemaker Displays. Our guests could see first-hand the diverse range of road safety signs, fixed and mobile VMS along and a host of vehicle-activated speed signs, and the development and work which goes into producing such great solutions.

The ITS Breakfast Meeting was a productive and insightful morning for our guests to learn more about how Messagemaker Displays and Clearview Intelligence work towards making our roads safer, greener, and cleaner.

What is solar energy?
Solar energy is in the form of light, produced by the Sun. Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. It is free and does not damage the environment. Most electricity is made by burning fossil fuels, which realise carbon dioxide and pollution. Solar energy does not release anything into the air, so it is a clean source of energy.

Many countries around the world have switched or are switching to solar power to be more environmentally friendly. Making the change to solar power as an alternative source of energy has many benefits. It’s cheaper, more reliable and efficient, and kinder to the environment.

Many towns and cities are already using renewable energy to improve the safety of their roads and highways. Could this be why solar energy is becoming a popular option to power traffic signs? After all, it provides overall visibility, saves money whilst being more environmentally friendly.

V2 Tower.
What are the Benefits of Solar-Powered Traffic Signs?
Increased visibility
No matter where you are in the world, road safety is important and there is always room for more road safety improvements. Whatever can happen to increase the visibility of road signs is a great success. Signs like these can be placed virtually anywhere where increased visibility is needed.

Lower Maintenance
Solar traffic lights depend less on conventional energy and the national grid. For dusk-to-dawn lighting operations, solar products are totally reliable. Their off-grid nature equates to almost zero maintenance and low operational costs. Solar signs are increasingly becoming a popular alternative on work sites due to their easy installation, medium-term cost savings, and sustainability. Through the power cuts and grid disruption, these lights remain illuminated. There are no electrical cables required to support them. All you have to do is take them where they need to go, attach them to a post for stability, and safety. Is this something to consider for your site?

Improved Performance in all Weather
Whatever the weather, come rain or shine LED traffic lights still maintain good visibility and performance in rain, dust, and other harsh weather conditions.

Self-sufficient
Electricity is expensive. Laying the electrical cables necessary to produce electricity is also pretty pricey. With solar-powered signs, the expense of electricity is eliminated one hundred percent. They are completely functional on their own, with a little help from the Sun.

Solar-VAS-Blue
Here comes the sun!

Solar power is created from the Sun’s energy. As the Sun’s light hits the solar panel, it is converted into electrical energy that can then be used to sustain devices that electricity normally powers.

Thanks to the consistent nature of sunlight, LED solar-powered traffic signs rarely need to be replaced

Solar-Tower--Top-Blue
Conclusion
The obvious advantage of using solar-powered traffic lights is they do not use fossil fuel energy. Solar is less polluting than coal, oil, or natural gas making it a more environmentally friendly source of energy. Solar powers signs wherever there is sunlight and the power is harnessed and stored in each sign’s battery so it continues to work all year long. Since they need no wiring or nearby electrical source, solar-powered LED signs are inexpensive to operate, low-maintenance, and can be placed virtually anywhere increased visibility is needed.

Advantages

Solar traffic lights are self-sufficient as they do not require external power sources.
They are easy to set up and operate.
They require very little to no maintenance as they have no moving parts.
Reduced carbon footprint
Solar still generates power even without direct sunlight
Disadvantages

The risk of theft is higher as equipment costs are comparatively higher.
Snow or dust, combined with moisture can accumulate on horizontal PV panels and reduce or even stop energy production.
Rechargeable batteries will need to be replaced several times over the lifetime of the fixtures adding to the total lifetime cost of the light. The charge and discharge cycles of the battery are important considering the overall cost of the project.

Messagemaker Displays

The LED sign and Display Specialists Integrating the power of LED to create effective and innovative sign solutions. Messagemaker Displays can provide limitless possibilities for your LED Requirements.

Car Parks – Signs that can show the exact number of spaces available, direct traffic, display real-time information and more.

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Highways– Whether you need to inform drivers of road closures or enforce speed limits, our range of road signs will have a solution.

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Local Authorities– Traffic monitoring device to aid traffic calming, ensure public safety and reduce accidents.

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Industrial and Military – Safety signs and displays for permanent high visibility reminders to help reduce accidents and improve performance.

Here at Messagemaker, we take safe signage very seriously. All of our road signs are CE certified, as well as being fully tested in-house before release. Our membership with ARTSM serves to also further our knowledge of the traffic industry and sign safety, so that we can ensure we’re providing the best quality product and service we can.

Exceptional– The product range, plus significant expertise and experience found within Messagemaker Displays have been built over almost twenty years and, in this time, we have assembled and accrued a wealth of technological knowledge and innovation.

Personal– We understand that every installation and client is unique. As specialist providers, we develop solutions to address your individual, LED display needs, however large or small.

Service- Our involvement extends beyond point of purchase. Extensive research has gone into developing products that are simple to install, easy to programme and use, requiring no maintenance during their life time. Should you require additional support, our experienced team is always on hand to provide guidance and advice.

Whatever the budget or technical requirements our team of experts are here to provide you an exceptional personal service every step of the way.

Here is what our customers have said about our products and after service care.

“Yes Everything good VAS system working well and excellent after-sales technical support helping out with data downloading and uploading onto computer for sharing purposes”

“Excellent customer service from deciding on which signs to the implementation of the software and how to set this up and use.”

“Excellent customer service.
Product arrived on time and delighted with the sign we purchased.
Would use company again and recommend”

For more reviews click here https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/messagemaker.co.uk

There is no denying that once retail stores start to open up again, there will be an influx of customers desperate to start shopping. While this is great for businesses starting back up again, shop owners or managers need to ensure that not only social distancing measures are adhered to, but also that a one-in, one-out system is in place.

Supermarkets have adopted a system where a staff member is permanently on the door, allowing a customer in every time someone else exits the shop. While this does do the job of ensuring a limited number of customers in the store, it means there will always have to be a staff member watching the door – while they could be helping around the shop and doing their regular job.

The same is also being applied to visitors in offices and warehouses – meaning that members of staff are having to come away from their everyday work to monitor the number of visitors onsite. With offices slowly getting back to business as usual, it’s important that the number of visitors is controlled and that health and safety measures are adhered to.
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As the UK slowly edges back towards normality, more and more people are starting to return to work. It can be easy to forget about or get distracted from the measures in place to keep you safe. Over two months since the UK went into lockdown, we’re starting to see more and more cars out on the road and people jogging or cycling to stay fit. That’s where Messagemaker Displays’ VMS signage comes in. Our signage is able to convey any message you see fit, in full colour and brightness, while maintaining staggeringly low power consumption and portability so that you can ensure your message is being seen by road users.
https://bit.ly/2XubTTV

This is the Greatest Show-Room!

COVID-19 has forced most brands and retailers to adopt a new way of working, with exhibition shows having to be cancelled and in-person meetings being moved online. We knew that we would be missing out on meeting everyone, seeing old friends, showcasing our new products at exhibition shows and so much more.

This gave us all some to time think.

The team at Messagemaker Displays had a brain wave and found the LED light at the end of the tunnel!

Queue our LOCKDOWN GLOW UP!

Welcome to our big brand spanking new demo room. Which we look forward to welcoming you too soon. Our new Demo room is full of wonderful products that we cannot wait to show off to you and demonstrate. It will be our very own exhibition in our headquarters.

https://bit.ly/3lUeuB8

2020 was a challenging year for communities worldwide regarding the Coronavirus pandemic, then halfway through January 2021 what we were hoping to leave behind in 2020 has unfortunately stayed with us. With information and guidelines rapidly changing, VMS road signs are a great way of spreading the message to the public.

Now that we have headed back into another lockdown in the UK, we need to adhere to the correct rules, social distancing, “hands, face space”, essential travel only, etc. Our Mobile Variable Message Sign (Mobile VMS or Trailer VMS) have been employed to help inform the public of all these rules.
https://bit.ly/3orNBEo

There are over 54,000 non-fatal injuries to construction workers each year; 25% of which are caused by slips, trips or falls on the same level and 12% are from being struck by a moving (flying/falling) object (HSE.gov). In particular, snow and ice can multiply the risks of working on a construction site. Ladders, scaffolding and entries/exits to sites can become extremely dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken.
https://bit.ly/3ncOX6O

Messagemaker Displays Ltd. has launched two new temporary traffic sign solutions – the Tower Unit and the Mini Unit – to expand its range of Mobile Variable Message Signs (VMS).

Both the Tower Unit and Mini Unit are ideal for quick and easy to deployment due to their small footprint and the abilitiy to transport multiple units at one time. Read below for a run-down on the this ITS Mobile VMS Range.
https://bit.ly/2QSkoHC

Workplace transport poses a risk to not only site workers, but also pedestrians. Every year pedestrians can be seriously injured or even killed by vehicles on a mineral products site.

The importance of correct signage on these sites is huge, to both allow the work to be done properly and prevent harm to a worker or pedestrian. Risk assessments and corresponding safety measures are simple to complete, and yet have a great impact on quarry safety. This is where Messagemaker come in. With LED VMS/VAS speed signage, accidents can easily be prevented in all weather conditions, night and day.

Clearly marked roads, as well as speed limit signs placed effectively will help to make sure drivers are aware of the rules that they should follow along with the risks that come with operating heavy vehicles such as tippers or truck mixers. High visibility signage should be used to highlight routes and crossings so that they can be seen at all times. LED is a great way to achieve this, as even during times of low visibility the signs will be clear and bright – whether it’s due to time of day or severe weather conditions.
http://bit.ly/2XAgDWw