HIGHWAYS AGENCY ANNEX A: TYPES OF SIGNS AND SIGNALS The types of VSS available on motorway and trunk road carriageways can be broadly subdivided into six categories as follows : MS1 -found as: post mounted central reservation matrix ; gantry mounted matrix over each lane; or post mounted entry slip road matrix. Though the functionality is much the same , it should be noted that both gantry and entry slip road signals are capable of displaying mandatory signals. This is not the case on the central reservation matrix; EMS & MS2 -these are 2x12 or 3x18 character message signs that can be either gantry or cantilever mounted. Cantilever signs often have an equivalent of a matrix signal incorporated on the end of the sign. MS3 -these are either 2x16 or 3x18 character message signs normally cantilever mounted. Some have an equivalent of a matrix signal incorporated as part of the sign , (i.e. reducing the sign to 2x12 or 3x14 when in use); MS4- these are either configured as 2x12 or 4x15 character message signs and are normally cantilever mounted, they can be configured to include the ability to display matrix signals and to show pictograms; Portable VMS (pVMS) -these are either 2x12 or 4x12 character message signs which can be transported to required locations as and when required; Traffic Officer vehicles also contain a small Variable Message Panel which have the capability to display legends to drivers. These legends and the criteria for use can be found in Annex C.14. Highways Agency policy for the use of Variable Signs and Signals (VSS) V 1.01
HIGHWAYS AGENCY ANNEX A: TYPES OF SIGNS AND SIGNALS The types of VSS available on motorway and trunk road carriageways can be broadly subdivided into six categories as follows : MS1 -found as: post mounted central reservation matrix ; gantry mounted matrix over each lane; or post mounted entry slip road matrix. Though the functionality is much the same , it should be noted that both gantry and entry slip road signals are capable of displaying mandatory signals. This is not the case on the central reservation matrix; EMS & MS2 -these are 2x12 or 3x18 character message signs that can be either gantry or cantilever mounted. Cantilever signs often have an equivalent of a matrix signal incorporated on the end of the sign. MS3 -these are either 2x16 or 3x18 character message signs normally cantilever mounted. Some have an equivalent of a matrix signal incorporated as part of the sign , (i.e. reducing the sign to 2x12 or 3x14 when in use); MS4- these are either configured as 2x12 or 4x15 character message signs and are normally cantilever mounted, they can be configured to include the ability to display matrix signals and to show pictograms; Portable VMS (pVMS) -these are either 2x12 or 4x12 character message signs which can be transported to required locations as and when required; Traffic Officer vehicles also contain a small Variable Message Panel which have the capability to display legends to drivers. These legends and the criteria for use can be found in Annex C.14. Highways Agency policy for the use of Variable Signs and Signals (VSS) V 1.01
HApolicy%20VSS.docx