Policy contribution

Appropriate contexts

VMS can be used in all areas. However to justify their cost they would be best placed where a large number of people can view them or where they are seen to alleviate the risk of accidents or reduce congestion and driver stress.

Appropriate area types
Area type	Suitability	Comments
City centre		VMS will have to compete with other signage and will not get maximum effect in the city centre but could be used there if positioned sensibly.
Dense inner suburb		Often little need and poor economical viability.
Medium density outer suburb		On route between outer suburbs VMS could be useful to direct commuters.
Less dense outer suburb		On route between outer suburbs VMS could be useful to direct commuters.
District centre		Often little need and poor economical viability.
Corridor		The ends of a corridor where drivers have a choice between routes is the ideal place for VMS.
Small town		Often little need and less economical viability.
Tourist town		VMS could be valuable in a tourist town to manage visitor traffic.

= Least suitable area type

= Most suitable area type

Adverse side-effects

The most significant adverse side-effects are potential fatalities caused when people look at the signs for to long, instead of concentrating on their driving. A major side effect might be poor reliability of information given, or if drivers come to rely on the VMS and it breaks down. Visual intrusion of the signs may be an negative side-effect.