Post on 20-Jan-2015
description
Traffic Signs Reform – Background and Objectives
Graham Hanson
Why undertake a traffic signs policy review?
• TSRGD outdated – drafted 1999
• Innovation – moving quicker than regulation
• Complexity – is there a better way?
• Burden on local authorities – 600 applications per annum for authorisation
• Legacy – the growth in the number of prescribed signs in TSRGD not sustainable
i) radical approach
ii) building on current traffic sign system
iii) informed by needs of users
iv) delivering flexibility and less regulation
Approach to the review
BPA Survey – national consistency
The present Regulations promote National consistency in the provision of signs and markings. How important is this?
0.00%
4.30%
1.40%
94.20%
Not Applicable
Very Important
Important
Not Important
BPA Survey: deregulate TSRGD
Is there an opportunity for deregulation of some of the requirements in the Traffic Signs Regulations and
General Directions2002?
5.80%
39.10%
55.10%
Not Applicable
Yes
No
BPA Survey: regs v guidance
Do you agree that the Regulations could be relaxed and substituted by Guidance and advice of Best
Practice?
1.40%
20.30%
20.30%
20.30%
29.00%
13.00%
Not Applicable
Strongly Agree
Agree
Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
BPA Survey – enforcement signing
In general, how easy is it to comply with TSRGD requirements for enforcement signing?
1.40%
14.50%
37.70%
39.10%
4.30%
2.90%
Not Applicable
Very Difficult
Difficult
Straight forward
Easy
Very Easy
Traffic Signs Policy Review
Key milestones
October 2008 Traffic Signs Policy Review
October 2011 Signing the Way
October 2011 National Authorisation
January 2012 Amendment Regulations to TSRGD
February 2012 Further National Authorisation (England)
March 2012 Further National Authorisation (England)
May 2013 Signing the Way Forward (peer review)
Feb-May 2014 Engaging with interested parties
Traffic Signs Peer Review
Summary
• DfT delivered already – but created a 2 tier system?
• New system emerging – more local discretion, more flexibility
• DfT focus on reducing traffic signs casework, particularly parking signs
• Greater emphasis on policy areas –reducing traffic sign clutter, promoting cycling.
The revised TSRGD – what has changed, what is new?
DfT Road Shows
Graham Hanson
This is not about new signs…..
Towards a new way of working
We are developing a new approach that will:• restructure TSRGD• retain only retain essential directions• remove regulation, provide more choice • reduce costs and remove barriers to implementation• remove requirement for authorisations• provide new measures to promote cycling • consolidate traffic sign regulation • prescribe traffic signs, not be a design guide
Revised structured
• Completely new way of working – reorganising the whole TSRGD
• Based on menus and inter-related tables• Far more flexibility – far less “direction”• Fewer Schedules – and fewer signs• Incorporate all regulations relating to traffic signs
Simplify TSRGD - A New Approach
Table Item 5 - Schedule 17, item 1
A New Approach to Warning Signs
Diagram 500
Menu approach
New approach to Directions
• remove most Directions
• local authority judgement
• retain those not directly related to placement
• repeater signs a matter for guidance
• remove most of the links between signs
DfT Circular:Foreword by Robert Goodwill MP
• Minister reinforced sign clutter policy • TSRGD gives freedom to reduce sign provision• Signs doubled in 20 years - unsustainable• Balance between what is & is not necessary• “…encouraged to see existing good practice - an
example being Northamptonshire County Council's 'one up / two down' approach. I am looking for other such innovations from traffic authorities to turn the tide of traffic sign clutter”.
Number of traffic signs
•Number of road signs more than doubled in 2 decades•Increase from 2.16m to 4.57m signs
– waiting/loading restrictions (554,300), up 25%– speed limits (441,400), up 96%, – parking regulations (337,900), up 842%
(Note warnings on data quality)
By category
Results by category in 000s
1993 2013 % diff
Direction 410 700 +70%Information 300 400 +33%Regulatory 1200 2350 +96%Warning 340 900 +270%
Relax directions - terminal signs
Repeater signs – Direction 11
• TSRGD 2011 relaxed – “At least one” repeater
• Short restriction thresholds – no repeaters at all
• No Direction 11 in revised TSRGD
• Repeater signs to be placed in accordance with TSM or following
Removed links between signs and markings – kerb blips
Permit holders only – no sign
Mandatory cycle lanes WITH upright signs
Directions on type of roads
Sign illumination - summary
Options for deregulation of direct sign lighting requirements
Sign Category = Direct lighting requirement removed Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Warning signs
20 mph speed limit signs & 20 mph zones
Regulatory cycle signs
Bus gate and tramway terminal signs
Lane closures & contra flow working at road works
Retro reflective self-righting bollard mounted signs.
Height-limit warning signs at low bridges.
Regulatory terminal signs including 'Give Way', 'No entry', speed limits, vehicle restrictions (including for low and narrow bridges) and banned manoeuvres.
Motorway entry, exit, gantry-mounted signs.
Remove regulation - sign illumination
More choice - parking signs
Revised TSRGD – parking signs
Prescribe basic building blocks – eg black border
Discretion on how text/symbols and combinations of signs applied.
New parking signs
Review of parking signs
Review of parking signs
Proposed parking bay
Contrasting bays
Historic Authorisations & Projections
2013 Authorisations By Category
Bus Lanes 14Cycling - General 26Parking 96Pedestrian Zones 4Red Routes 3Regulatory signs 4Road Markings 36Site Approval for "NO ENTRY" Signs and "NO ENTRY" Road Markings 2Tourist (Brown) Signs 2Traffic Signals - Direction Arrows 5Traffic Signals – Wig-Wags 1Variable Message Signs (VMS) 5Warning Signs 3
Box Junctions - Before and After
Key issues - consultation
The consultation is focusing on• the structure of the revised TSRGD• the new ways of working• the draft guidance• a number of outstanding technical issues
We have consulted many times on the scope of the review – this consultation is based on delivery!
Standardise Route Arm Widths
Removing the need for traffic Regulation Orders?
Lighting requirements within 20mph limits/zones?
Bus Gates & Bus Only Streets
Guildford rules – direction signing
In the meantime… more Guidance
• New circular with revised TSRGD(new structure/emphasis on supporting LAs decisions/risk analysis/building parking signs etc)
• Traffic Advisory Leaflets, includingReducing sign clutterVariable Message SignsTraffic BollardsCycle Route Branding
Traffic Signs Manual
• Priority – update TSM Chapters 3 and 5
• New Chapter 6 – Traffic Signals and Crossings
• We will seek to provide as much as we can to coincide with the new TSRGD.
What does this mean for local authorities?
• let the new TSRGD “bed in”• use the flexibility to reduce the number of traffic
signs• but make informed decision – based on risk
analysis and local knowledge• pool resources and consider• if in doubt…..• THIS IS NOT A COST-CUTTING EXERCISE
Questions