Media Release
Transit
Wellington Regional Office
Media Release
13 March 2007
Transit installs Nelson electronic traffic information signs
Motorists eager to know the status of Nelson’s state highway road conditions will soon have road information displayed on large electronic signs so they can plan their journey times or use other routes.
Transit Central Operations Manager Mark Owen says Transit has installed the large electronic variable message signs (VMS) at four locations to advise motorists of any road conditions or incidents that may affect their travel in/out of the Nelson region.
“These signs allow messages to be displayed in ‘real time’ to advise motorists of such things as crashes, slips, flooding or other delays on the highway and to indicate what alternative routes are available,” Mr Owen says.
“This will be a bonus for motorists to make informed travel decisions before becoming stuck in a queue at a time when they may not easily be able to get out again. These electronic signs are in addition to the one currently operating in Murchison.
Mr Owen says the signs have been strategically positioned across the network at key locations. Signs will be located mainly on the state highway, in particular on either side of Hope Saddle as well as on the Whangamoa’s on SH6.
“These signs, combined with Transit’s Highway Info website page on current road condition information, will provide real-time information to road users so they are better informed of current road conditions and have improved trip time reliability.”
Mr Owen says the signs will display two or four line messages, which rotate to display a maximum of up to eight lines of information. They typically display information of what has happened, where, what effect this has on the highway with helpful advice for motorists. For example it may show the words “Snow/Ice Hope Saddle, Road Closed”.
The messages are very short so the maximum information can be given within the limited sign space available.
The signs will be fully operational before winter and motorists may note trial messages displayed during the initial testing of the signs before they are fully operational.
For more information please contact:
Andree Kai Fong
Transit Regional Communications Advisor
Tel 64 4 801 2521
Mob 64 27 672 5881
andree.kaifong@transit.govt.nz
Visit us at www.transit.govt.nz