This crash is a good reminder that where we position trailer-mounted Variable Message Signs (VMS) matters.
The 2026 Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management expanded the guidance first refreshed in 2021 (led by our Traffic Lead, Thuan Nguyen) as the use of portable VMS continues to grow.
The guidance reminds practitioners to:
➖ Position the VMS so drivers have sufficient time to see, read and react.
➖ Avoid obscuring permanent signs or other traffic management devices.
➖ Consider pedestrians, cyclists and adjacent properties.
➖ Show the VMS location on the Traffic Guidance Scheme.
➖ Remove or switch off messages when they are no longer relevant.
What it also highlights is the balancing act. The VMS needs to be visible, but it’s also a substantial roadside object. On many worksites there are limited placement options, and practitioners are often balancing visibility, available space, work activities and roadside safety.
There isn’t always a perfect location. The challenge is finding the safest one.
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