Messagemaker Displays Ltd. has supplied a bespoke retrofit LED Tunnel Lane
Control Signal (TLCS) sign solution to meet the Transport for London (TfL)
specification. The TLCS signs, installed in the Fore Street Tunnel in north London,
were designed to be easy and swift to install, allowing the replacement work to be
completed in just one night.

The TLCS signs are used to control traffic through the tunnel by displaying either a green
vertical arrow to show the lane is open, or a red ‘X’ where lanes are closed. Working closely
with Cubic Transportation Systems, (who manage the traffic technology as sub-contractor to
Kier for the TfL Road Tunnels contract), Messagemaker Displays was tasked with
developing a solution that could replace the existing TLCS signs. The new signs needed to
be fully compatible with TfL control systems and fit the existing mounting structure and
connections. Ensuring minimal adaptations were required was an essential consideration to
help reduce the potentially substantial cost of replacing fittings and connectors.

To achieve this, Messagemaker Displays’ experienced engineers discussed the
requirements with Cubic to fully understand the challenge – they then interrogated the
specification and data on the existing signage. Messagemaker Displays then used its
standard dual aspect lane control signs as a basis but developed a bespoke housing that
would fit onto the brackets already in place, whilst also meeting the required IP ratings.

The bespoke Messagemaker Displays lane control signs are lightweight and as an LED
product require far less energy than the previous generation of signage. This was an
important requirement for TfL due to both the operational cost and the pressure on all public
organisations to reduce environmental impact.