Coventry City Council has partnered with Swarco Traffic to supply full colour variable messaging signs (VMS) to assist with an expected influx of visitors following Coventry’s elevation to the City of Culture 2021.
A total of nine signs will be installed, five to new posts and four added onto existing infrastructure, to offer visitors a clear route in and out of the city.
According to Swarco, the flexibility of the VMS will enable them to perform various functions after the City of Culture finishes, including speed and hazard warnings, road closures and information about public transport.
The signs will be controlled via Swarco Zephyr, a web-based management system that will allow the council to create, schedule and upload messages and guidance.
Councillor Patricia Hetherton, cabinet member for city services at Coventry City Council, said: “The new variable message signs will help us to ensure that we keep our city moving during our year as City of Culture but also for a long time afterwards as well.
“The fact that they are full colour means we will be able to give advice alongside the more usual traffic information.
“We are investing in improved transport infrastructure, including investing in the railway station, providing on-street chargepoints and in future transport solutions such as VLR but it’s also important that we have our eye on clear messaging to road users too.”
Coventry City Council currently uses Swarco’s RGB VMS signage displaying route and traffic information on the ring road along with air quality signage, which is controlled via Zephyr.
