N£W WARNING SIGNS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 12

N£W WARNING SIGNS

A NEW centrally-controlled * v warning system has been developed in Britain to provide greater safety in driving on fast roads and motorways. The system is intended to give the police a fast method of warning drivers of hazards which may lie ahead of them, particularly such hazards as an accident, ice or fog. Cylinders which have a warning printed on one side of them in reflective material are set in a box-like stricture beside the motorway, several can be set along a road to provide warnings of dangers ahead. In the event of an accident the central post or police station controlling the signs can, by turning a switch, bring into action a small electric motor in the sign which turns the required cylinder to the open side of the box, facing on-coming traffic.

Th e signs could also be used to bring into rapid operation any temporary speed restrictions that the authorities might consider Accessary.

Three sets of wires run to each signal box from the control control. One set carries a current for trickle-charg-ing batteries which operate the sign motors, another carries the motivating signals to the signs, and the third connects a telephone at the side of the sign to the control post. By operating the signs by batteries it is possible to use the system a considerable distance from any power main. In the event of an accident or other troubles, motorists could use the telephones to get in touch with the control post.