My enquiry relates to the ULEZ in London. I would like to submit a FOI request for the following details. • From all major routes into central London, can you tell me where the signs are placed, that tell drivers they are approaching the ULEZ. • Can you also tell me how many signs there are in total for the ULEZ • Can you refine the number of signs for the ULEZ which are simply the ULEZ Logo (Photo – Sign Difference A), with no description or time period, against signs which include details of what the logo represents (Photo – Sign Difference - B) • Can you also tell me how decisions were made about the format of the signage, specifically the text size, the placement, the number of signs passed by each major route. Please include any information about the decisions to site the signs underneath existing Congestion Charge signs, and how it was deemed appropriate to do this with a view to driver safety in the amount of time taken to read all the contents of both signs. • Can you tell me how the decision was made to instantly fine anyone not paying the fee due, rather than a one-time Notice to pay like the Dart Charge? • Can you tell me, under your current guidelines, if just two signs with 50mm Text, one at 0.5 miles out, and one on entry to the zone, is an acceptable level of notification to a driver? • Can you tell me, under current guidelines, if at 30mph, a signs legible reading distance should be more than 12.7 meters? • Can you tell me, under current guidelines, if you concur with the Department for Transports guidelines that signs won’t be in the drivers line of view if more than 10 Degrees viewing angle from the centreline of the road?(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/782725/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-07.pdf) – Appendix D • Can you tell me about any publicity which was intended to notify drivers who live north of Birmingham, specifically in my case Leeds, of the ULEZ in London. What formats, programs, the frequency etc. • Can you give me the statistics of unique visitors within 50 miles of the zone who fail to pay, versus unique visitors from Leeds (50 Mile Radius) • Can you inform me about the use of temporary road signs for the ULEZ. When they were used, in what locations, for how long, and were permanent signs put up in their place? • Can you inform me of any statutory guidelines which should be adhered to with regards to minimum notification of a Zone? • Can you inform me of any statutory guidelines which influence whether an authority can immediately fine someone for entering a Zone, without any first notice or option to pay the fee due? • Can you tell me how many signs there are in total for the Congestion Charge Zone (including all variants, floor markings etc) • Would Highways England have any view/opinion on whether limited signage of the ULEZ compared with the copious amounts of signage on other controlled areas such as Congestion Zone London, M6 Toll, and DartCharge would have any effect on the number of vehicles entering the zone which fail to pay the charge? Please cite any related studies/reports which show Signage is a key factor in motorist behaviour/adherence to controlled zones.

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Our ref: FOI-2447-1920/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 12 November 2019 asking for information about ULEZ.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.

From all major routes into central London, can you tell me where the signs are placed, that tell drivers they are approaching the ULEZ.

See attached Schedule of all ULEZ signs.

Can you also tell me how many signs there are in total for the ULEZ

There are 293 signs specifically referring to ULEZ. (see attached Schedule)

Can you refine the number of signs for the ULEZ which are simply the ULEZ Logo (Photo – Sign Difference A), with no description or time period, against signs which include details of what the logo represents (Photo – Sign Difference - B)

The signs with logos only (Sign type A in the FOI request) are where we have added the logo to existing Advance Direction Signs (ADS) or provided ancilliary signs.  There are 111 examples of where this was applied on the immediate approaches to the boundary and this allows drivers the chance to select routes which do not enter the zones. Note that drivers pass a sign type B (as defined in the FOI request) before they encounter sign type A so the meaning of the logo will have been provided at that point.  The meaning of the logo is reiterated at the point of entry on the boundary signs (an

example of this sign type was not provided in the FOI request above)

Can you also tell me how decisions were made about the format of the signage, specifically the text size, the placement, the number of signs passed by each major route. Please include any information about the decisions to site the signs underneath existing Congestion Charge signs, and how it was deemed appropriate to do this with a view to driver safety in the amount of time taken to read all the contents of both signs.

The ULEZ sign design was undertaken by TfL’s inhouse design team and the all detailed design decisions were undertaken on a case by case basis following detailed site surveys.  In designing a signing scheme TfL made full use of existing guidance and best practice such as that provided by the Department for Transport in their Traffic Signs Manual and TfL’s own Streetscape Guidance.  The designers had regard for all users of the road, balancing the needs of all road and footway users and the text sizes were selected appropriate for the approach speeds of traffic using the roads.  Simple entry sign designs ensured against ‘message overload’ and the co-location of the ULEZ and CC signs together helps to reinforce in drivers’ minds that the two schemes operate in exactly the same area.

Can you tell me how the decision was made to instantly fine anyone not paying the fee due, rather than a one-time Notice to pay like the Dart Charge?

The introduction of the ULEZ was subject to a public consultation and the how the scheme operates was based on the outcome of the consultation and the regulations. Full details are available on our website at:  https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/air-quality-consultation-phase-3b/?cid=airquality-consultation

With over 20,000 non complaint vehicles driving in the ULEZ each day, it would be neither practical or cost effective to issue payment reminders to motorists.

Can you tell me, under your current guidelines, if just two signs with 50mm Text, one at 0.5 miles out, and one on entry to the zone, is an acceptable level of notification to a driver?

TfL considers that the ULEZ signing provided alongside the existing Congestion Zone signing and complimentary messaging on our website and elsewhere is sufficient to warn drivers that there is a scheme in operation that requires them to take action.

Can you tell me, under current guidelines, if at 30mph, a signs legible reading distance should be more than 12.7 meters?

The guidance is produced by the Department for Transport rather than TfL.  

Can you tell me, under current guidelines, if you concur with the Department for Transports guidelines that signs won’t be in the drivers line of view if more than 10 Degrees viewing angle from the centreline of the road?(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/782725/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-07.pdf) – Appendix D

As referred above, the signs we have provided meet the Statutory Regulations and have been Authorised by the Secretary of State for Transport.  The viewing angles and x-heights have been optimised within the context of  slow speed Central London locations and we have had regard to published guidance as well as taking a bespoke approach which also accounts for visual intrusion and sign clutter in a Central London context..

Can you tell me about any publicity which was intended to notify drivers who live north of Birmingham, specifically in my case Leeds, of the ULEZ in London. What formats, programs, the frequency etc

TfL has taken numerous steps to ensure all drivers are aware of the ULEZ, including those who live outside of London. This consisted of advertising, direct marketing and emails to raise awareness of the implementation of the ULEZ, where and how the ULEZ operated, which vehicles were affected, where to check their vehicle, how to pay the daily charge should their vehicle not meet the required emissions standards. The campaign targeted both private and commercial vehicle owners, using a multi-channel approach to reach drivers based within and outside London. In addition to paid media advertising messages ran on posters across the public transport network and at key roadside locations.

The following channels were used to both raise awareness and provide detailed information:

• National press ran in Daily Mail, Daily Mirror & The Sun
• Specialist trade press appearing nationally in the following titles: Commercial motor, Truck and Driver, Bus and Coach Buyer, What Van, Fleet World, Van Fleet world, Motorcycle news
• Radio adverts have run across 10 stations
• Posters (large digital formats, roadside and bus shelter and posters on the Underground and the Overground)
• Advertising has run on the back of TfL Buses
• Advertising on Petrol station screens and nozzles
• 32 local press titles in London, Evening Standard, Metro, City Am
• Online videos targeted London drivers via third party websites
• Google search adverts have directed those interested to the TfL website for further information
• Partnership with Waze (a wayfinding driving app) making 1M London drivers aware of the new ULEZ boundary
• Tweets from @Tfl has been promoted to London drivers with information on the boundary map and the vehicle checker
• Information on ULEZ has been included on Congestion charge receipt's with details of ULEZ launch date
• Detailed information about the ULEZ was and continues to be on the TfL website.

In addition to the advertising:

• Press releases were issued at key times in the run up to and at launch of the ULEZ.
• Over 5.3m emails were sent out to customers registered with TfL. This includes owners of cars, lorries and coaches amongst other vehicles.
• Over 600,000 letters have been sent to owners of non-compliant GB registered vehicles driven within the central London area since last October 2018. The letter explained where the ULEZ would operate, the daily charge and directing recipients to the TFL website to find out more. The letters were issued via the DVLA on behalf of TfL. TfL does not hold the details of the registered keeper details so we are unable to say how many of these letters were issued to drivers not registered within London.
• 32 Electronic variable message board were deployed with messaging explaining the ULEZ launched 8 April and in operation 24/7 on key roads outside the central zone.
• Signage was installed and in use in advance of the ULEZ being implemented. Early waning signage was installed at entrances to the zone from 4 weeks prior explaining the ULEZ was coming 8 April 2019, followed by permanent road signs at every entry point along the boundary and along key arterial approaches. They sit next to existing Congestion Charge signs.
• Post the launch of the ULEZ we continued to advertise explaining that the ULEZ had arrived and how to pay the charge on 8 radio channels and emails were sent to 1.9m customers registered on the TfL database.

Can you give me the statistics of unique visitors within 50 miles of the zone who fail to pay, versus unique visitors from Leeds (50 Mile Radius)

We do not hold this information

Can you inform me about the use of temporary road signs for the ULEZ. When they were used, in what locations, for how long, and were permanent signs put up in their place?

The entry signs referred to in the attached spreadsheet were erected 1-2 months prior to the go live date and for the period prior to go-live displayed a red cover face message indicating the start date for the new zone.

In addition, for around 6 weeks prior to the start, the existing fixed (and some additional temporary) Variable message Sign Units were utilised on the approaches to the zone and around the boundary.  These displayed messages giving warning of the start date.

Can you inform me of any statutory guidelines which should be adhered to with regards to minimum notification of a Zone?

TfL is not aware of any such guidelines.

Can you inform me of any statutory guidelines which influence whether an authority can immediately fine someone for entering a Zone, without any first notice or option to pay the fee due?

Can you tell me how many signs there are in total for the Congestion Charge Zone (including all variants, floor markings etc)

There are 1093 signs and road markings associated with CC.  Although this is a significantly larger amount than has been specified for ULEZ, linking the two zones (which occupy exactly the same area) has allowed some of the function of the existing CC signs to be relevant in helping drivers with the locating the ULEZ zone.  This has allowed us to avoid simply doubling-up every CC sign with a ULEZ equivalent which would have been unnecessary and contrary to TfL (and DfT ) principles to minimise sign clutter wherever necessary.

We are not aware of any statutory guideline regarding issuing of penalties for the ULEZ. However we administer the scheme in line with the Scheme Order which is available on our website.

Would Highways England have any view/opinion on whether limited signage of the ULEZ compared with the copious amounts of signage on other controlled areas such as Congestion Zone London, M6 Toll, and DartCharge would have any effect on the number of vehicles entering the zone which fail to pay the charge? Please cite any related studies/reports which show Signage is a key factor in motorist behaviour/adherence to controlled zones. –

We do not hold this information. Highways England is independent of TfL and this question should be directed to them.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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