BACKCase Study: Bespoke Tunnel Signage Solution For TFL
20th June 2024
Messagemaker Displays Supplies a Bespoke Tunnel Signage Solution for TfL
Messagemaker Displays Ltd. has supplied a bespoke retrofit LED Tunnel Lane Control Signal (TLCS) sign solution to meet the Transport for London (TfL) specification. The TLCS signs, installed in the Fore Street Tunnel in north London, were designed to be easy and swift to install. This allowed the replacement work to be completed in just one night.
The Project: Tunnel Signage requirement at the Fore Street Tunnel in North London
The TLCS signs are used to control traffic through the tunnel by indicating lane closures. These signs display either a green vertical arrow to indicate open lanes, or a red ‘X’ for closed lanes. Working closely with Cubic Transportation Systems, (who manage the traffic technology as sub-contractor to Kier for the TfL Road Tunnels contract), Messagemaker Displays was tasked with developing a solution that could replace the existing TLCS signs.
The new signs needed to be fully compatible with TfL control systems and also fit existing mounting structure and connections. Ensuring that minimal adaptations were required was an essential consideration in this project. This helps to reduce the potentially substantial cost of replacing fittings and connectors in the long run.
To achieve this, Messagemaker Displays’ experienced engineers discussed the requirements with Cubic to fully understand the challenge – they then interrogated the specification and data on the existing signage. Messagemaker Displays then used its standard dual aspect lane control signs as a basis but developed a bespoke housing that would fit onto the brackets already in place, whilst also meeting the required IP ratings.
Our Bespoke Signage Solution for this project
The bespoke Messagemaker Displays lane control signs are lightweight and as an LED product require far less energy than the previous generation of signage. This was an important requirement for TfL due to both the operational cost and the pressure on all public organisations to reduce environmental impact.
The focused beam width provided by the LED lenses ensure clear visibility to drivers when they are approaching the sign. In addition, the Messagemaker Displays lane control signs allow for remote brightness control. Therefore, the installation team can easily adjust brightness based on the sign’s location to ensure maximum visibility.
The bespoke units were a success and subsequently allowed the replacement of all the TLCS signage in the Fore Street Tunnel in a single night. As a result, minimal disruption to traffic on this busy section of the North Circular was possible during the replacement works. The success of this first installation allows for further implementation of the bespoke Messagemaker Displays TLCS signs on other tunnels throughout the TfL network.
“The service we have received from Messagemaker Displays has been integral to the success of this upgrade.”
“The TLCS signs met all our requirements and proved straightforward to install, with minimal additional work required, providing a blueprint for the upgrade of similar signage.”
Neil Ashford, Senior Field Services Managers at Cubic Transport System
