Driver feedback signs cut speeding

Technology from 3M is helping reduce the incidence of speeding in the UK city of Salford.
February 15, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
installing the 3M speed indication system should help drivers reduce speed

Technology from 3M is helping reduce the incidence of speeding in the UK city of Salford.

A series of Driver Feedback Signs from 152 3M, DFS 700 units, have been installed in the area to gather both information on average vehicle speeds and encourage drivers to observe the speed limits.

The Urban Vision partnership between Salford City Council and Capita Symonds manages the local highways on behalf of the council and has installed 50 of the DFS 700 units in strategic locations close to schools, the entrances to villages and some major highways. The A6, which is the main route from Salford to Manchester, has six DFS units installed; four of these were funded by the local communities and two by the Safer Routes to School initiative. Most of the DFS installations are permanent with a combination of mains and solar power depending on the location.

Urban Vision says that where monitoring takes place there has been a measurable reduction in speeds, which is consistent with expectations. On one route Urban Vision has recorded a 4.4km/h reduction in mean speeds and average speeds brought down to within the speed limit. Crucially, Urban Vision says it has noted a 64.7% reduction in vehicles exceeding the speed limit since the DFS units were installed. The 3M DFS 700 unit is designed for areas with high pedestrian activity to help encourage drivers to reduce their speeds and can also provide data on driver speed, through a number of different options, including: a USB cable, 2362 Bluetooth or GSM for long distance wireless connections. It can be used for traffic studies and inform decision makers whether extra measures are needed for speed reduction. The sign also benefits from 3M Diamond Grade DG3 reflective sheeting face to boost its visibility in all weathers.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Crossing the Alps for five decades
    March 24, 2020
    Italy’s A22 Autostrada route is a key transport connection for Europe and also a model for efficient operational management
    Read More
  • Fewer cars; more reckless drivers?
    April 28, 2020
    Emptier streets may be a green light for some US drivers to flaunt safety laws, reports the GHSA*.
    Read More
  • Weigh-in-motion key to maximising road life
    February 24, 2012
    The market and technology for weigh-in-motion systems continues to evolve – Mike Woof writes. for both mature and developing highway infrastructure networks, traffic densities play an important role in determining road wear and life. Monitoring traffic volumes and individual vehicle weight is crucial for ensuring roads can cope in the long term and that maintenance can be planned, while the problem of overloading can be eliminated.
    Read More
  • Mega city transport in Mexico
    June 13, 2012
    Rapid urban growth is resulting in massive mega cities with major transport needs and Mexico City is one of the world’s largest – Mike Woof reports Mexico City is a vast, sprawling metropolis and one of the world’s largest cities, resulting in huge problems for its inhabitants, particularly with regard to infrastructure. Measuring population size is an inexact science for large cities as suburban areas can add to the figures considerably, especially in developing nations where unplanned expansion is as comm
    Read More

Highlighted Content