A bit of history
In 2013, the National Road Safety Council approved experimental signage for directional signs and route-marker boards on the A1 motorway under construction, on the Toruń–Kowal section. By the end of the year, the experimental signage had been installed on the first part of this section, between Toruń and Włocławek (Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship).
The next step was to introduce experimental signage for approaches to toll gates at toll collection points (PPOs) on the A4 motorway (Karwiany and Żernica PPOs) and on the A2 motorway (Żdżary and Stryków PPOs). Since then, experimental signage has been implemented on 57 road sections throughout Poland. At the end of 2019, it was installed, among other places, on several sections of the S5 expressway (Greater Poland Voivodeship: A2 motorway – Lipno interchange; Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship: A1 motorway – border with Greater Poland Voivodeship) and on the Silesian section of the A1 motorway, Częstochowa Północ–Częstochowa Blachownia.
What is the purpose of these changes?
General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways:
The introduction of experimental signage is intended to improve the legibility and intuitiveness of signs and make them more modern. The project also aims to improve road safety and travel comfort. The signs, which differ slightly from those used previously, are intended as an evolutionary change to standard signage, developed on the basis of feedback submitted by road users and GDDKiA analyses.
It is worth recalling that the technical requirements for road signs are clearly defined by law. Any changes in this area must therefore be introduced by amending specific regulations or through approvals granted as part of research projects accepted by the National Road Safety Council. Since 2014, the Ministry of Infrastructure has conducted a periodic assessment—twice a year—of whether the signage installed in the field by GDDKiA complies with the applicable regulations. This applies to both experimental and standard signage.
It adds:
In line with our assumptions, experimental signage is meant to be intuitive, which is why many drivers may have taken the changes being introduced as something obvious.
What modifications were made?
Differences in signs on A- and S-class roads
As we approach an interchange, we first see the interchange board (E-20), which, alongside the interchange pictogram, its name and the distance, now also includes the interchange number, making it easier for drivers to orient themselves (e.g. exit at interchange no. 2). It is worth emphasizing that on expressways, under the experimental signage system, interchange boards are the same size as those on motorways.
On motorways, we see a large advance direction sign (E-1) twice—1,500 m and 500 m away—while on expressways it appears only once, 500 m away. A panel with an exit pictogram and interchange number has been added to it. Compared with standard expressway signage, the advance direction sign has been enlarged to the dimensions used on motorways.
Three times before the beginning of the deceleration lane, we see vertical distance-marker boards (F-14 d, e, f), indicating the distance—300, 200 and 100 metres before the beginning of the deceleration lane. This solution, previously known from motorways, has been introduced on expressways as part of the experimental signage.
At the beginning of the deceleration lane, drivers see a direction sign (E-2) spanning the entire width of the carriageway, replacing two smaller signs. Under the experimental signage system, the sign panels have been joined and extended so that the information on the sign refers to the direction for the appropriate lane. Arrows indicating the direction for each lane have been added, and above the sign there is now the interchange number with an exit pictogram.
Experimental signage has introduced, at the nose of an exit ramp, both on motorways and expressways, an arrow-shaped direction sign (E-3) with a panel containing an exit pictogram and its number. If an interchange had two consecutive ramps serving different directions, the letter a or b could appear next to the interchange number (in this case, this signage was also used on the advance direction and direction signs).
Moving away from the interchange, we see a route-marker board (E-14), which now includes a pictogram of the next interchange, its number and the distance to it. At the bottom of the sign, a major town just across our country's border is indicated (only in the Schengen Area) instead of a border crossing.
Diversion signage
Finding the correct diversion route can be quite difficult. Therefore, as part of the experimental signage system, we designed signs for permanent diversions, so that when traffic needs to be redirected, no time is lost installing panels. The F-8 sign is installed as a prism sign before the interchange, and normally only its grey background is visible. The displayed sign can be changed by repositioning movable elements in the form of triangular prisms. If the road is blocked, the prisms turn, revealing diversion information. In everyday use, the diversion panels indicate the direction to the interchange.
Information about a road closure and diversion will also be displayed on VMS boards, which show sign images and messages using LEDs.
The F-8 board contains: a diversion diagram between interchanges, the diversion length, and a sample diversion direction panel.
The panel contains information about: the approach to the motorway/expressway interchange, the number of the interchange to which the diversion leads, and the direction. A large letter “O” indicates that the panel is dedicated to a diversion.
Signage for emergency crossings and access points
With the needs of maintenance and emergency services in mind, we designed panels marking locations where emergency crossings and emergency access points are situated. The panels show an abbreviation of the road element's name and the kilometre at which it is located.
Legislative work is under way
In mid-September 2020, the Ministry of Infrastructure began legislative work on amendments to the regulations concerning road signs and signals, as well as detailed technical requirements for road signs, signals and road-safety devices and the conditions for placing them on roads.
GDDKiA:
These changes will affect, among other things, the way and scope of information provided to vehicle drivers and, consequently, contribute to greater road-user safety and travel comfort. Regulations issued by the minister responsible for transport will also introduce new distance-marker boards informing drivers that they are approaching the beginning of the lane leading to an exit from an expressway. For now, these boards function as part of the experimental signage system. For other elements of the experimental signage to acquire generally applicable status, they must be introduced through appropriate regulations issued by the minister responsible for transport.
Will we have an influence on the new signage?
General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways:
Later this month, we plan to publish a survey addressed to users of national roads concerning signage. The survey will run for one month and will allow us to learn drivers' opinions about the experimental signage—whether it worked and what should be improved—as well as currently applicable road-sign solutions.
It adds:
Survey participants will assess what should be changed in the national-road signage system, which signs are too numerous and which are unclear for various reasons.
What do you think? Join the discussion.