The Highways Agency (HA) has begun the rollout of electronic roadside signs that inform drivers of their likely journey time, following successful trials earlier this year.

The variable messaging signs were tested in the West Midlands and the South West with 89 per cent of motorists giving the technology the thumbs-up.

The system uses data captured from existing automatic number plate recognition systems and compares it to historical traffic data. Travel time is automatically recalculated every five minutes and the signs will automatically switch from travel time to the estimated delay time in the event of an accident.

The information will be presented in real time and provided the expected travel time to specific junctions.

The service will help drivers make more informed decisions about their journey, said roads minister Tom Harris.

‘We are making best use of our technology to help drivers find out about traffic conditions on their route both before they leave and during their journey,’ he said.

The signs are one of three new services launched by HA to help drivers plan journeys more effectively, with a digital radio station launched earlier this year and CCTV images to be made available on the web next year.