This project, which is being undertaken as part of the national Traffic Signs Policy Review, sets out how to audit traffic signs and remove those that are unnecessary. The requirement for this guidance is set out under the environment section of the Review action plan. The Department for Transport (DfT) considers that there are too many traffic signs, and one of the key objectives of the review is to minimise the impact of traffic signs on the local streetscape. To that end, guidance is required for local authorities detailing: * How to collect and store an inventory of baseline information on signing assets. * How this inventory can be used to audit them, with a view to removing those which are unnecessary. * How the inventory can be used to reduce the environmental impact of signs by, for example, considering suitable mounting positions, adopting correct sign sizes and reducing the use of backing boards. Simple, easy to use guidance, probably in the form of a Traffic Advisory Leaflet (TAL) is to be produced for local authorities by the DfT giving the guidance specified above. This report provides the necessary background research and guidance to form the basis of this document. Removing unnecessary traffic signing would have benefits to local authorities, including: * Reducing the required level of maintenance for sign cleaning and foliage cutting; * Reduction in lamp changes if lit signs are removed; * Reduction in the temporary traffic management required for undertaking maintenance work, providing both costs benefits and exposing road workers to less risk; * Reduction in the costs associated with providing signs and lighting units arising from more efficient use; * Improved consistency in the provision of directional signing; * Improved public perception of the highways authority if obsolete, damaged and worn out traffic signs are removed. This report identifies a five step process for building an inventory of traffic signing assets, and gives guidance on each of them. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting