MIDAS (Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling) automatic queue protection is currently in operation on several thousand miles of motorway across the British Isles, providing safety and congestion benefits. MIDAS uses induction loops spaced at 500 metre intervals in the road to detect slow moving, queueing or stationary traffic arising from an accident, incident or other cause. The system sets upstream signs automatically to show to drivers 40mph and 60mph advisory speed limits together with supplementary text messages such as ‘QUEUE AHEAD’ and ‘QUEUE CAUTION’. This protects the back of the queue from secondary collisions. The signs are mounted either on cantilevers or take the form of individual lane signs mounted on portal gantries.

If inductive loops are installed by sub-standard or non-accredited suppliers careless resealing can result in moisture reaching the wires and changing the electrical characteristics of the loop. This could cause a system malfunction or could mean that rogue data is transmitted to the traffic management system.

All Bridgepoint Road Markings inductive loop cutting is carried out to Highway Sector Scheme 8 regulations and to MCH 1540 Specifications as set out by the Highways Agency. In Northern Ireland we carry out road marking and traffic census term contracts for DRD Roads Service, and have a contract with Siemens Traffic Controls for the installation of inductive loops at traffic signals for the whole of Northern Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland we are a National Roads Authority (NRA) approved contractor.