Variable Message Signs (VMS) are one of many intelligent transport systems Transport Scotland uses to to convey real time information to road users.
Our Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are operated and managed on our behalf by Traffic Scotland, who use VMS to help make journeys more reliable and improve strategic transport connections.
These signs are particularly useful to drivers when there are incidents or delays on the trunk road network.
VMS are electronic traffic signs. These are used to manage the trunk road network by providing advanced warning of emergencies and incidents to aid drivers in their journey planning. We also make use of the signs to warn drivers of future events that may cause delay.
These signs are particularly useful to drivers when there are incidents or delays on the trunk road network.
Transport Scotland has approved the current list of VMS messages for use on the Scottish trunk road network by Traffic Scotland. We keep these messages under review, and constantly look for opportunities to improve their effectiveness.
The current list of VMS messages have been developed in consultation with a number of key stakeholders. The next stage of the use of the VMS will be in providing reliable journey time information similar to information already provided by other UK road operators.
When the signs are not required for any of these purposes, we use VMS to promote and support road safety, network operation and other related campaigns.
The VMS signs are part of Transport Scotland’s overall ITS Action Plan. The action plan has invested over £28M since 2007. The plan has helped deliver 145 Variable Message Signs, 131 CCTV cameras and 15 journey time sites.
The location and messages currently displayed on our VMS can be viewed on the Traffic Scotland website.
If you have any suggestions on how we might improve the ITS system, or any comments on the use of VMS signs, please contact us.
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