Electronic message signs installed last year as part of a plan to relay real-time traffic information to motorists have not yet gone live but the transport watchdog is insisting that the process has gradually started.

Costing €700,000, the 34 variable message signs and 48 lane-changing signs were part of an EU-funded project to mitigate traffic congestion through the use of ‘intelligent’ means of communication.

For the time being, however, use of these signs is limited to displaying educational messages such as urging motorists to drive safely, respecting pedestrians and observing the Highway Code.

This time last year, a Transport Malta spokesman told this newspaper that the system could not go live as the network of cameras, from which the situation on arterial roads would be monitored, had not yet been installed.

However, 12 months down the line, little progress has been registered, as the signs are not yet being utilised to their full potential.

Meanwhile, traffic disruptions are becoming ever more frequent - partly due to the dramatic increase in the number of vehicles on the road.

According to official data published a few days ago, the number of cars is increasing by 43 per day.

In view of the pressing situation, the Times of Malta asked when the signs would go live, but once again no indication was given.

Transport Malta employees were still being trained on how to use the new technologies

In his reply, a Transport Malta spokesman noted that this was part of an ongoing project to introduce specialised ICT systems to ease traffic management and communication with road users.

The project also includes CCTV cameras to monitor arterial roads, the development of an adaptive control system for traffic lights as well as equipping a central control room capable of monitoring and operating all the systems, he added.

 While pointing out that Transport Malta employees were still being trained on how to use the new technologies, the spokesman insisted that most of the systems were already in place and were gradually being programmed and phased in. 

“The variable message system, including the electronic traffic signs installed in arterial roads, is now being controlled through the centralised control room as well.

“During this stage, TM is using these displays to communicate targeted messages that warn drivers about upcoming difficulties,” the spokesman said.

He insisted that messaging related to real-time traffic conditions was being gradually introduced. However, no specific examples were given. 

The spokesman added that these initiatives alone were not expected to overcome the challenges experienced on the Maltese road network. Yet, they were part of an ongoing commitment for the authorities to have more resources in hand, improve safety and mitigate traffic, he said.

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