The recently released Guidance on the Use of Portable Traffic Signals (GUPS) from the Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management (ARTSM) has been updated to Edition 1.1 with minor amendments.
Kealie Franklin, the general secretary of ARTSM, gives Highways readers a technical briefing on how the changes came about and the wider issues the guide and associated practice touch on.
GUPS amendments:
- Removal of reference to sign 7011.2 for crossings within works.
- Removal of sign 562 throughout
Our purposes in providing GUPS were numerous - to assist those working in the field by condensing all relevant information into one place, in particular providing specific guidance on signal timings, which in turn could help reduce the sadly increasingly prevalent levels of roadworker abuse.
Finally, we wanted to assist local authorities designers and inspectors in being able to challenge and address bad practice.
Following the publication of the new guidance in January this year, ARTSM had further discussions with the Department for Transport (DfT) around requirements that were stated in earlier official guidance.
Although ARTSM was made aware of the issues relating to the use of signs 562 & 7011.2 through its extensive consultation, it was not permissible to change requirements that already existed without specific clarification with DfT.
The issues have now been addressed fully. Namely, that the use of sign 562 is not permitted without a sub-plate (as stated in Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD)); there is no sub-plate appropriate to crossings in traffic works and therefore the sign should not be used in those circumstances.
In respect of sign 7011.2, the earlier traffic advisory leaflet (TAL) stated this should be used for both standalone facilities and those provided as part of a road works site.
The DfT has confirmed it does not believe this was the original intention, and we are now able to state that the sign should only be used for standalone crossings.
Get involved and support the public
We are aware that some corners of the UK may not have fully engaged in the consultation as much as we would have hoped, despite our promotion through all industry media, trade events and presentations alongside Streetworks UK, industry forums, emails and social media.
Our intention was always to ensure the widest possible consultation since the guidance is the only one available for portable signals timings - a problem which brings the industry to the attention of the general public on a very regular basis.
On the subject of the general public – it remains an offence to drive through a red traffic light.
It is sadly the case that members of the driving public believe a light is not functioning because it is taking time to change to green. It is not possible to advise of the time a signal sequence will take, but drivers should always consider oncoming queue lengths and the addition of side roads and entrances to those queues, particularly when crossings are multi-phase.
If patience levels do not reach the virtuous, drivers will at least be pleased to know that TROs will be going digital at some time in the future and so they will be better able to avoid roadworks when travelling!
More info/stay in touch:
We ask that any interested bodies (and individuals) please send contact details to general.secretary@artsm.org.uk with the heading GUPS mailing list and they will be advised of any further information.
You can follow ARTSM on LinkedIn or visit our website page ARTSM - The Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management. Our membership continues to grow and diversify and we are proud to be leaders of change.
The new version of Guidance for Portable Signals (GUPS) is available to download here.
Printed versions will be updated at the next reprint on the publication. All those who have purchased a copy of Edition 1 have been advised and a change note issued.
