• VMS wins Network Rail innovation award
• VMS helps Network Rail to cut costs
• PEGASUS VMS takes off at Parkex
• VMS wins Network Rail contract
• New Zealand contract win for VMS
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The rail industry has taken an immediate shine to the new Lightweight Signalling System from Variable Message Signs Limited (VMSL). The system has, quite literally, turned rail signalling on its head with a radically different approach, now recognised with the Network Rail Partnership Award for Innovation 2011.
VMSL has once again demonstrated that by combining the ability to produce innovative signalling products, in close collaboration with Network Rail and other stakeholders, it is possible to bring to Network Rail high performance and cost saving benefits, in relatively short timescales.
The System of Lightweight Structures and Signals is compatible with network-wide applications for new programmes and maintenance replacements, comprising a range of maintenance-free lightweight LED signals. The system eliminates the need for expensive overhead gantries by mounting the signals on hinged lightweight support structures, enabling easy, quick and low-cost installation without the need for heavy lifting equipment or specialised personnel.
In 2002, VMSL was awarded The Queens Award for Innovation for its highway information systems.
As part of its bid to achieve significant cost savings, whilst maintaining high levels of safety and performance, Network Rail has adopted new VMS rail signals. The new system of support structures and lightweight signals achieved full Network Rail approval in March, and was swiftly selected for a crucial part of the Hickleton and Moorthorpe signalling renewal scheme.
In the original planning, by principle contractor Invensys Rail and Network Rail, the design called for an over-line gantry to support heavyweight Dorman signals at Moorthorpe station. However, with the arrival of the newly approved VMS system offering maintenance-free signals, a rethink resulted in a change of plan, ditching the gantry for the new VMS lightweight system.
The flat-faced LED signals are matched to an equally innovative lightweight support structure. The signals are mounted on lightweight posts which are hinged at the base to make installation a simple job, using nothing more than people and people operated hand tools.
The new signal system has been developed through close collaboration between VMS and numerous rail industry groups, predominantly Network Rail, to produce a system of lightweight signals and structures.
The design has addressed all applications and is compatible for new / renewal schemes, Modular programmes and maintenance replacements delivering significant cost savings over conventional equipment and practices.
A new Urban LED Sign and mounting system was launched by Variable Message Signs Limited at Parkex 2010.
The Pegasus Urban MS4 Sign is totally new and draws on improvements in LED technology performance, reliability, and message setting capabilities flowing from the latest generation of high resolution motorway sign designs.
The sign is offered in three sizes, with high resolution matrix areas suitable for the display of four lines of text with character heights of 160mm, 100mm, and 50mm. All variants are capable of displaying combined text and pictogram information and employ a dual-coloured, amber and red, matrix; the 50mm version available as a single-colour amber sign.
A special feature of the new sign system is the ability to mount it in a landscape or portrait format, with five mounting options for landscape fixing and three for portrait fixing.
The sign's attractive and slim design is especially suited to today's urban streetscape, where it will deliver traffic and driver information.
"Interest in the new Pegasus sign system has been tremendous," commented Roger Stainforth, Deputy Chairman of Variable Message Signs Limited. "This brand new LED sign has been designed to meet the aspirations of local authority and urban customers, including TfL with whom we have worked closely in evolving the requirement. Pegasus offers an elegant solution to the difficulties typically presented by urban installations."
The first installation of the sign will be in a TfL location, eventually the new sign system will supersede the 4-line, 15-character signs which VMS Ltd have been supplying since 1996.
"We have already taken orders from local authorities, with others showing great interest. It's not just the quality of the high resolution display, but the flexibility of the Pegasus mounting system which is arousing great interest."
Variable Message Signs Limited (VMS) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a Framework Supply Contract by Network Rail for the provision of LED Signal Heads.
The Agreement is effective for 3 years with an optional extension for a further 2 years. The scope covers the supply of fully approved LED Colour Light Signals (1 - 4 aspects) and LED Banner Repeater Signals (2 and 3 aspects) for use on the Network Rail controlled infrastructure. The supply of other LED signals types currently completing development could later be included in the Agreement.
A delighted Anthony Isaacs, Business Manager for VMS's rail division stated: "Our effort over the last few years in interpreting Network Rail's needs with LED signalling has resulted in this massively important Agreement. We are confident that bringing our extensive LED experience and technical innovation into the rail sector will contribute to providing a safe, dependable and cost-effective railway and we eagerly look forward to a long and mutually satisfying relationship with Network Rail."
Bill Hamilton, Managing Director for the Company added, "Over a number of years VMS has established itself as a leader of messaging signs and systems in the road sector and it is our intention to repeat this success becoming a significant supplier of signal products in the rail sector. This Agreement with Network Rail marks a substantial step towards our goal."
Variable Message Signs Limited (VMS), the UK's leading supplier of driver information systems has been awarded a three year contract by Transit New Zealand.
- Westbound on Auckland's North-Western Motorway -
Roger Stainforth, Deputy Chairman of VMS, was delighted to win such a prestigious order. Transit New Zealand are the equivalent of the UK's Highways Agency, they are the Crown Entity responsible for state highways throughout New Zealand, accounting for half of the 36 billion vehicle kilometres their residents travel every year.
The contract is valued at 4.5 million New Zealand Dollars (£1.6 million pounds) over 3 years, with the scope to supply a range of VMS signs for rural and trunk networks in the country's North and South Islands. VMS will start work immediately on the first year's requirements, with a plan to deliver 22 signs by the end of 2007.
The order will involve VMS's MS3 technology. The MS3 road-side mounted signs comprise three or five lines of 200mm or 320mm characters arranged as a full matrix that can display legends and symbols using Rigel LED technology.
Roger Stainforth, commented: "We are very happy we have won this contract, it is particularly pleasing because it contributes to the growing export side of our business."
The order was won by Aspect Solutions Limited (ASL), of Auckland, who have been VMS's agent in New Zealand for over 6 years. This contract win builds on earlier success in New Zealand, where VMS have previously supplied six signs for the Auckland Motorway.
Zachary Lawrence, Managing Director of ASL is a frequent visitor to the VMS South Tyneside plant and regularly sends his staff to the UK plant for specialist training.
Mr Lawrence added "Transit wished to align themselves with an experienced large-scale manufacturer providing leading edge technology, performance and reliability. VMS has a proven record in providing that service."
As a pre-requisite of the contract VMS had to demonstrate that signs situated in Auckland could be controlled and co-ordinated by the control centre in Wellington. VMS sent one of their specialist engineers, to work with the ASL engineers to carry out the successful technical demonstration building on the success of the existing Auckland Motorway installations.
Variable Message Signs Limited (VMS), based in Hebburn, South Tyneside, is the UK's leading supplier of driver information systems, and has started the year on a high by being awarded part of the Highways Agency contract to supply, install and provide operational support for message signs and motorway signals throughout England over the next four years.
The contract involves the development and prototyping of the next generation of three types of electronic variable message signs to provide drivers with essential information on road conditions ahead while improving safety and helping to reduce congestion.
VMS have already started recruiting design engineers to work on the new contract. "We are in the process of recruiting design engineers for our engineering and development team" confirms Roger Stainforth, Deputy Chairman of VMS. "We also hope the contract will lead to more production staff being needed in 2008 to cope with anticipated volume." The Highways Agency indicated during the tendering process that over four years their total procurement could be in the order of £185 million (€268million).
"We are delighted to have been awarded a part of such a contract. It's good news for our suppliers and sub-contractors, as we purchase over 80% of our components and materials from companies within 25 miles of Hebburn."
The VMS MS3 signs comprise two or three lines of 320mm or 400mm characters and incorporate a graphics area that can display legends and symbols using Rigel LED technology.
The innovative Rigel LED technology created VMS's big breakthrough in 1995/96 when it became the first display system to meet and actually exceed optical performance standards set by Highways Agency TR2136 Issue A.
The MS4 enables the display of an almost limitless range of pictograms and text on its high-resolution dual colour LED matrix.
MS3 and MS4 signs are a familiar sight on the Highways Agency motorway and trunk road network mounted on cantilevers, gantries and posts. The signs to be developed under this contract, while introducing many enhancements in the control techniques and communication modes including TCP/IP, will be mechanically and electrically compatible with existing signs and structures and the NMCS2 communication network.
The AMI and MS4 signs employed in the current Highways Agency M42 Trial, of which approximately half were provided by VMS, were acknowledged at the recent ITS World Congress held in London for their contribution to the success of the trial and in particular to hard shoulder running. Average journey time for motorists on the 17km trial section has been cut from 18 to 13 minutes.
VMS have built a reputation for innovative, high quality and reliable technology, specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of LED based products that can be seen in growing numbers on both strategic and urban roads in the UK.
Highlighting their ambitions to continue their progress abroad, the developments will follow the long established practice adopted by VMS of conforming to the European Standard BS EN12966 and will therefore be appropriate for international use. VMS have already supplied MS3 signs in Greece and Ireland and recently supplied MS4 signs for the Amsterdam A10 ring road.
This contract was awarded by the Highways Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT), responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in England. VMS have worked with the Highways Agency for 20 years.
MS4 high resolution dual colour technology was the logical progression of Rigel LED technology introduced by Variable Message Signs Ltd (VMS) in 1996.
The Highways Agency in England started MS4 development as their contribution to a pan-European project initiated by WERD - Western European Road Directors convention - to have electronic signs that could display text and pictograms. The purpose was to ensure that regardless of the driver's mother tongue the information on the sign would be understood throughout Europe.
VMS designed the first MS4 based on a dual colour Red and White/Yellow matrix comprising 192 x 128 pixels horizontal and vertical pitch between pixels of 20mm. The resulting high resolution display area allowed text and pictograms of great clarity to be displayed.
The first MS4 was installed at the Transport Research Laboratories test track at Crowthorne, England for a series of legibility trial. One outcome confirmed that signs with large polycarbonate front screens can produce specular reflection that detracts from the message. Consequently, a non reflective front was developed for all subsequent MS4 to eliminate specular refection.
The leaflet produced by Rijkswaterstaat, which we use with their kind permission, shows the tremendous possibilities that MS4 technology offers to traffic managers to display trusted, timely, useful and effective information. The signs installed on the Amsterdam Ring are Red and White and meet the Optical Performance of EN 12966.
We and our representatives in the Benelux, ARO Electronics are proud to be working with Rijkswaterstaat.
