Vehicle-activated warning signs alert drivers to cyclists in Bedfordshire

Swarco Traffic has created a 'bicycle-ahead' warning system for drivers on two busy country lanes in Bedfordshire.
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Central Bedfordshire Council wanted to improve protection for cyclists and encourage safer cycling on its rural roads where there is often limited visibility. It turned to engineering contractor Jacobs Engineering and Swarco to provide the solution.

There is one 'bicycle-ahead' warning system on Cranfield Road, in Cranfield, and one on Fordfield Road, in Flitwick.

Paul Wright, technical estimator at Swarco UK, designed the solution, he said: "Jacobs asked us to design a scheme that would detect a cyclist in the lanes and alert motorists to their presence.

Fordfield Road. Photo from Google MapsFordfield Road. Photo from Google Maps
Fordfield Road. Photo from Google Maps

“The lanes leave both cyclists and motorists blind to one another, with high hedges that make it difficult to see the road ahead.”

The Swarco-engineered solution uses vehicle-activated signs at each end of a defined detection zone, with each zone being around 750m in length.

When a cyclist passes into the zone, a signal is sent from a traffic control radar to the signs at either end of the zone, the signs illuminate to warn approaching drivers travelling above a pre-set speed threshold that a cyclist is in the area.

The signs also display a warning message advising drivers to reduce their speed.

The fully solar-powered solution enables real-time information updates and status reports to be accessed, this includes information on power, communication and fault detection.

A spokesperson for Central Bedfordshire Council said: “We don’t have any current plans to extend the use of this particular sign to other roads within Bedfordshire, but we will be continuing to look at other measures to improve the safety of cyclists using rural roads within Central Bedfordshire."