SWARCO, a manufacturer of traffic management systems, has installed 15 variable message signs (VMS) at the Port of Dover in Kent, UK, to help manage vehicular traffic at a new freight holding facility.

VMS have been installed as part of the £85m ($124m) Traffic Management Improvement (TMI) scheme, reported Traffictechnologytoday.com.

This system has helped in eliminating traffic congestion emerging from Kent’s highways.

"Working to extremely tight timescales and programme changes, SWARCO carried out its works in a professional and accommodating manner."

The Port has created a 13-lane holding zone that caters for 220 outbound heavy good vehicle (HGV).

This helps to minimise the need for Dover Traffic Access Protocol (TAP), and a rolling road HGV queuing system on the A20.

SWRACO secured this contract from FM Conway, which is the main contractor for TMI scheme.

Two variable message signs have been used for directing HGVs into the customs facility.

VMS have been installed on a 57.5m-long gantry at the holding facility. This helps in directing HGV drivers on which lane they need to enter, reported Highwaysmagazine.co.uk.

FM Conway head of structures Matt Smith was quoted by Highwaysmagazine.co.uk saying: "SWARCO aligned its service and support with ours to ensure that our partnering ethos was maintained throughout the project.

"Working to extremely tight timescales and programme changes, SWARCO carried out its works in a professional and accommodating manner which helped to ensure we delivered this project on time and to budget."

More than 160,000 LEDs were needed for the VMS.