BACKCase Study: TFL Urban VMS
12th August 2024
With Congestion and emissions charges, bus lanes, red routes, yellow box junctions, and challenging parking, driving in London can be stressful for many motorists. This is where an Urban Variable Message Sign (VMS) comes in to help. They provide essential information to London Road users, such as impending closures, delays and congestion, live incidents, road works and planned events. All this messaging ultimately contributes to a safe and informed navigation system, therefore reducing accidents and stress. So, with some of the existing VMS starting to fail, TFL and Cubic Transportation Systems needed a solution to get things back up and running.
TfL Urban VMS Project Overview
The existing Variable Message Sign on the London Tunnels Road network began failing due to age. They were becoming more unreliable and needed regular repairs or often went beyond repair. This is where Cubic Transportation Systems needed to find a solution. Working with Messagemaker Displays, the two companies collaborated on various LED display possibilities in order to retrofit old and outdated VMS.
The new VMS needed to work in the current control system that is already in use by TFL. Furthermore, the VMS must fit onto the current frame system for quick and easy to installation. Speeding up installation then minimises the disruption to the road network. It goes without saying that the key component is that the screen needs to be reliable. Durability is key as this VMS screen displays highly important traffic information to the London Road users.
The Messagemaker Displays Solution, Urban VMS for TfL and Cubic Transportation System was perfect for this project. Neil Jones is the Business Development Manager who worked on this project with Cubic Transportation Systems, he said:
““The brief was to make a VMS screen that would fit into the pre-existing frame for a quick and easy swap out. The VMS needed to display messages using the existing Horras TFL Control system with the ability to also accept bespoke messages. We had to source unique power & data connectors to help ensure the display was an easy swap-out for the client.”
“We also had to ensure all connection points matched the original display to facilitate the easy installation. The client now has a future-proof high-quality product that ticks all their requirement boxes.”
Neil Jones, Business Development Manager
The VMS has benefited the London Road Users by notifying them of the various events and incidents on the road network, improving route planning and road safety. Repairs are no longer needed, which will save time and money, allowing engineers to continue to work on other projects. The VMS has clear instructions for road users leading to less congestion and improved road safety. TFL and Cubic know their future proof sign, which can change messaging in real time, has been exceptionally reliable, displaying the information to the London Road Users
