If you regularly drive on the highway, you sometimes see signs that you have no idea what they mean. Similarly Freek Slomp from Assen. His eye fell on a blue plate with ‘U97’ on it. He had never noticed the board before, let alone that he had followed it.
The blue plates with a U and a number, such as U97, are so -called fall -back routes. The ‘U’ therefore stands for ‘fall -back route’. These routes are intended to offer traffic a fixed alternative route if something is going on on the Hoofdweg. Think of an accident, a breakdown or maintenance work.
Instead of having to install temporary diversion signs, these fixed routes are followed. The system has been introduced nationally and such signs can also be found in Drenthe, including along the A28, N33 and N34.
According to Rijkswaterstaat, the U-routes are designed to quickly and safely change motorists to the next driveway or junction, without the risk of getting lost.
Under normal circumstances you don’t have to do anything with a sign like U97. It is especially for it when things go wrong on the road. In the event of an accident or road closure, Rijkswaterstaat uses text carts or matrix signs that states which U-Route you should follow.
If you see, for example, “follow U97”, then that is your signal to stock up on the fall -back route. This leads you back via a predetermined route to a place where you can continue your way.
The intention is that the traffic is delayed as little as possible. According to Rijkswaterstaat, the system is managed nationally and is intended for situations in which speed and clarity are crucial.
You will also come across these U-routes in Drenthe. For example, the U16 route runs from exit 34 at Gieten via the N34, N378 and N366 to exit 38 near Veendam, on the N33. Another route, U17, connects exit 36 (Bareveld) again with exit 34 (Gieten), also via provincial roads.
Along the N34, which is also known as the Hunebed Highway, you regularly come across such signs. For example, at the Traffic Square Gieten, where the N34 and N33 intersect, these fall -back routes are important in the event of traffic or calamities. This is apparent from information from Wiki.OpStreetMap.org and the province of Drenthe.
U97 and all those other mysterious U signs are therefore not puzzle pieces for motorists, but a smart system for emergencies. You don’t have to do anything with it until Rijkswaterstaat gives the signal. Then they are suddenly indispensable. And that sign what Freek was surprised about? That is not there for nothing.