Traffic signs with a difference

Councils undertaking roadworks, organising fun-runs or schools making use of high-volume transport routes for sports events can benefit from hiring automated static road signs.

Ensuring that the public is aware of increased hazards, closed streets or detours can greatly benefit any project that looks to use public roads and possibly disrupt the usual flow of traffic.

This awareness can maximise the stream of information for the public and minimise risks of accidents for those making use of the area of roadway - and both are important considerations for communities.

However, the role of road signs may be in for a revamp - the National Roads and Motorist Association (NRMA) is launching a new campaign in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, using Variable Message Sign (VMS) boards to reduce the effects of road rage, the ABC reported today (April 23).

The campaign - perhaps something that could catch on in other council areas - encourages the driving public to post slogans or 'courtesy messages' on nine electronic VMS boards dotted throughout the states, thanking other drivers for their courteous behaviour.

Interviewed by the ABC, NRMA president Wendy Machin gave an example of the kind of messages the campaign is looking for: "It could be just something as easy as, you know, smile, you're not in that big a rush - because we aren't."

She explained to the publication: "We tend to get in traffic, we tend to get stressed and think we've got to get somewhere immediately. Letting somebody get in front of you, you know, merging nicely, politely, won't slow you down and it will make everybody's life that little bit easier. 

So they're the sorts of simple things that we're really trying to encourage on our roads."