Friday 10th of December 2010 was an auspicious day when the first, privately purchased, vehicle activated sign went live in Woodhouse at 10AM. The use of the sign has been authorised by Leicestershire County Council and has been purchased by the parish.

The launch follows extensive field trials carried out initially in 4 parishes in 2009, and a second trial in the Autumn of 2010. The first trial used signs indicating the speed limit for the road. The latter trial allowed the use of Speed Indicator Mode e.g. if a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit, the sign will show the driver their actual speed, up to a pre-set maximum. Both the trials, using either mode, showed a drop in speeds of the traffic when the sign was deployed. When the sign was removed, it took some time for the speed of the traffic to return to what it was originally.

The signs themselves are portable, battery powered and will be moved around by the parishioners. Each location has been assessed by the County Council’s Community Speedwatch Coordinator, Transport Schemes Development and Highways.

Fifteen parishes have now purchased a sign, Woodhouse were first at the post. The sign you see in the photographs below is made by Radarlux, the other approved sign being made by Westcotec. For further details, please contact Mike Wilson, senior road safety officer: 0116 3057336

photo of people in Woodhouse for the first mobile vehicle activated sign

A Review Of The Use Of Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs By Parishes In Leicestershire

Report by (RSN Associates) available

Leicestershire County Council commissioned a review of the Mobile Vehicle Activated Sign (MVAS) scheme and the report is now available, (pdf, file size 1.2mb).

Objectives of the Review

To assess the views and experience of parishes who have installed and operated MVAS and the attitudes of their residents.
To assess the views of other parishes to determine the overall level of interest in the scheme.
To make recommendations regarding the future development of MVAS, particularly with respect to its relationship to Community Speed Watch.

The resulting report is now available to be viewed and lists a series of recommendations that the County Council will seek to adopt.