Contesting smart motorway fine

Ok, As you guys don’t know how the signals and messages (VMS = Variable Message Sign) work, let me explain.
Firstly, there are a number of systems that put up signs & signals automatically.

  1. Main one is MIDAS (Motorway Incident Detection And Signalling ) This is controlled by sensors set into the lanes or the c/way, (Wires set in each lane in what looks like a square shape approx 1 metre square. These montor the average speed of traffic flowing over them, if the average speed drops below 50mph, it will put 50’s, " CONGESTION / QUEUE CAUTION " ANY VMS with “QUEUE OR CONGESTION” is 99.9% set by MIDAS, if the speed drops below 40mph, then it will set 40’s. The system relooks at the data coming from these sensors approx every 4 mins, and if the speed is hovering around the set limit, it will adjust the speeds up one, or up to the point where it will cancel them. (It does need a number of vehicles to be constantly at that speed to take the average) now this is where you can get the anomaly of 50, 50 ,40 ,50 etc. Between that 40 and the last 50, something took the average speed right down, then started to clear so the next signal is 50, and clear after that. An exit slip with the queue tailing into lane 1 would cause this.
    NOTE; The system will NOT ALLOW allow larger step downs of more than 20 mph at a time. *** (See note)

  2. High winds & Fog As previously mentioned, there are weather stations set adjacent to the motorway in certain locations, high bridges, very exposed areas especially. These monitor the weather conditions and will set the signals and VMS accordingly. usually no lower than 50 mph. ***(See note)

  3. Messages " ## MILES TO J^^, ++ MINS" These again are set automatically. There are cameras, similar to ANPR, that read and note the last 3 letter of vehicle number-plates, the system then monitors how long it takes for the majority of a batch of number-plates to get to the next point, then sets the appropriate message. (PS, it’s no good trying to beat them, it will not give a better average than what 70 mph works out to)

Now we get onto the signs and signals that are set manually in the control rooms.

This all depends on the information passed to the control rooms. (Incorrect information means incorrectly set signals)

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS; Normally from member of the Public via various means, 999 call to the Police, Emergency Roadside Phones (ERT), Recovery agents. etc.
Signals are set to 50’s, with VMS set to “REPORT OF…” Unless it’s one of the following where life could be in immediate danger. “PEDESTRIANS” “ANIMALS” (i’m sure there’s another, but can’t remember at moment!) If there has been a number of calls giving the same information, and the location is tied down somewhat, the speeds can be reduced to 30’s for 2 gantries.
The one unconfirmed report that does get major signally & arses twitching! Is " ONCOMING VEHICLE" Signals are set for 20’s for a considerable distance, often on both c/ways unless confident that the correct c/way is known. Again these can only be cleared on the instruction of the Police patrol that will check for this.
CONFIRMED REPORTS
This could be a previously unconfirmed report this is now found on cctv. A report from a Police Officer, HETO, Highways road crew, or other respected source.
Once a report is CONFIRMED, then signs and signals can be amended to whatever is required to deal with the incident, IE, Lane Closures, Motorway Closures, Lower Speeds, Alternative Messages.

NOTE: WHEN SIGNALS ARE SET WHAT-SO-EVER, THEY CAN ONLY BE CLEARED / AMENDED ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE POLICE / HETO PATROL ON SCENE, NO-ONE ELSE.

So, if there’s been a “REPORT OF DEBRIS” between J32 to J33 of the M6, 50’s and VMS set to “REPORT OF DEBRIS” they can’t be cleared until a patrol has checked all 13½ miles of c/way, probably with a rolling block on so traffic can be stopped if needed to. (This is why it’s so important to use the marker-post numbers)
If the VMS says “INCIDENT” then check the over bridges. (I’ll say no more)

Any Lane closures set with a red circle around it, be it a ‘Red X’ or a 'wicket ’ TII ’ It is set for a reason, and it is mandatory, you will now 90% of the time be booked for disobeying it.

***(Note) I’ve said that signals will normally only go down as far as 40’s automatically, there are a couple of exceptions, these are were there is a speed restriction already in place for normal running. Ie, Roadworks, or tight curves. if there is already a speed limit on these for normal running, the system can’t set higher speeds, it’s starting point is now the limit set.
I’ve also said that the system will only allow step downs of 20 mph at a time, it looks at what has been manually set on a signal and set preceding signals accordingly. Lets look at a 3 lane motorway, with lanes 1 & 2 closure set before the incident (Minimum distance to incident is 300 yds, or set 2 signals the same) if the gantries are relatively close, tHE SYSTEM will set the one before it, lanes 1 & 2 as lane divert right, with 30’s over lane 3. the signal before that one will go to 50’s, so that 3 gantries set, with whatever message is picked from the template list.(ie accident) As traffic builds up and starts to queue, the gantries prior to these 3, will now start to be set by MIDAS.
If however you are on a motorway with long distances between signals (Ie normally the ‘hockey stick’ type from the grass verge, then the signal prior to the one with the lane closure will set to 50’s, until MIDAS knocks it down to 40’s

Any signs and signals set in the Regional Control rooms are closely monitored, they have to be set within a couple of minutes from the start of the log, and they have to be cleared within 3 minutes of the Patrol requesting clearance. (The system itself takes it’s time especially if it’s busy) Any operator missing these times are put for retraining.
MESSAGE SIGNS (VMS)
Sometimes you will see messages informing you of motorway closure miles & miles away, or of Events that could cause problems in a date yet to come, you’ll also see campaign messages, “is you car ready for winter” “watch for bikes” “Check your fuel” etc. All these are set by the ‘NATIONAL TRAFFIC INFORMATION CENTRE’ Down there in the Midlands, they also inform the media of any incidents on the HE nework that are potentially long running problems. They also update & control the ‘TRAFFIC ENGLAND’ Website.

I know it’s been like War & Peace, but if you’re aware of how it works, you’ll have a better understanding of it.