The MARE NOSTRUM VMS GROUP activities began in September 2003. The Mare Nostrum VMS members are active players in the ITS implementation and normalization activities in their respective countries and competence areas. The group constituted around several simple facts: same or very similar VMS infrastructures, geographical continuity within the TERN, and sharing the same or very similar road and signing problems. The group meets regularly, normally in Madrid, Paris or Rome, during one or two days. The original group of representatives (2003) was: France: Mr. Claude Caubet (SETRA) and Mr. Nicolas Schwab (ASF). Italy: Mr. Roberto Serino and Ms. Carla Messina (Ministero Infrastrutture e Trasporti), Mr. Marco Cechetto (Autostrade di Venecia e Padova), and Mr. Angello Rossini (SATAP). Spain: Mr. Alberto Arbaiza (DGT) and Mr. Antonio Lucas (University of Valencia). Below follow a synthesis of the group meetings as well as some of the main achievements per meeting. Rome (September 2003): definition of objectives -the corridor, the partners, the Euro regional projects involved. Paris (November 2003): definition of Work Package 2 (WP2); general agreement on how to proceed during the group meetings. Madrid (December 2003): discussion of two situations of WP2 (WP2.1 Wind; WP2.2 Fog). Agreement of double approach: top-down (FIVE strategy) and bottom-up (road situations strategy). WP3 definition. A document called "General Questions" circulates among group members to share views about the top-down strategy. Rome (February 2004): discussion of five situations: WP2.2 (fog, distance); WP3.1 (Slippery road -snow/ice; water/rain); WP3.2 (accident); WP3.3 (courtesy and neutral messages); WP3.4 (queue). Issues for testing were explored -symbolic substitutes for the alphanumeric side (text) where mentioned as an option. Paris (March 2004): discussion of four situations: WP3.5.1 (road closed); WP3.5.2 (lane closed); WP4.1 (hard shoulder available); WP4.2 (hard shoulder occupancy). The need to arrange and improve electronic collaboration is made explicit. The Mare Nostrum VMS Working Book appears as an alternative to exchange a complete account of results via e-mail. The group decides that it should be prepared, including road situations, possible VMS (pictograms, text), problem priority (high, medium, and low), possible solutions, tests or tasks to trial, procedures, and conclusions. Ms. Maria Teresa Blanch (University of Valencia) assumes the Mare Nostrum VMS Group secretariat tasks. Madrid (June 2004): The first draft of the "Mare Nostrum VMS Working book" is finished. Discussion on VMS designs for distance, length and safety messages. Decisions are taken on which user tests will be performed. The first Mare Nostrum VMS web site is available. Rome-Vienna (September 2004): General discussion on the role of Mare Nostrum VMS. Mare Nostrum VMS representatives meet with CEDR representatives to share perspectives on VMS signing issues. Mare Nostrum appears as a main developer of alternatives for abstract symbols to use on the alphanumeric side. Mare Nostrum VMS representatives meet with representatives of the SOMS-IN SAFETY expert group (6th Framework Programme). The many signs to be tested lead to a cost-effective procedure for testing multiple signing alternatives (the ISO comprehensibility estimation test). Mr. Hans Remeijn, from Rijkswaterstaat - AVV Transport Research Centre (The Netherlands), is invited to assist permanently to the Mare Nostrum VMS meetings. Paris (November 2004): Agreement on final Comprehensibility Estimation tests that all partners will test. Agreement on taking a realistic approach for tested designs. The Servei Català de Transit (SCT, Catalonia - Spain) joins the Mare Nostrum VMS working group as a permanent member. Madrid (January 2005): Comprehensibility Estimation (CE) tests results are presented and a plan for oncoming tests is elaborated. The group goes over the Mare Nostrum VMS Working Book again. A summary of the issues waiting for an answer is considered. The option appears of developing a VMS messages testing procedure via internet. Mr. Hans Remeijn offers a prototype option to begin the work. need to arrange and improve electronic collaboration is made explicit. The Mare Nostrum VMS Working Book appears as an alternative to exchange a complete account of results via e-mail. The group decides that it should be prepared, including road situations, possible VMS (pictograms, text), problem priority (high, medium, and low), possible solutions, tests or tasks to trial, procedures, and conclusions. Ms. Maria Teresa Blanch (University of Valencia) assumes the Mare Nostrum VMS Group secretariat tasks. Madrid (June 2004): The first draft of the "Mare Nostrum VMS Working book" is finished. Discussion on VMS designs for distance, length and safety messages. Decisions are taken on which user tests will be performed. The first Mare Nostrum VMS web site is available. Rome-Vienna (September 2004): General discussion on the role of Mare Nostrum VMS. Mare Nostrum VMS representatives meet with CEDR representatives to share perspectives on VMS signing issues. Mare Nostrum appears as a main developer of alternatives for abstract symbols to use on the alphanumeric side. Mare Nostrum VMS representatives meet with representatives of the SOMS-IN SAFETY expert group (6th Framework Programme). The many signs to be tested lead to a cost-effective procedure for testing multiple signing alternatives (the ISO comprehensibility estimation test). Mr. Hans Remeijn, from Rijkswaterstaat - AVV Transport Research Centre (The Netherlands), is invited to assist permanently to the Mare Nostrum VMS meetings. Paris (November 2004): Agreement on final Comprehensibility Estimation tests that all partners will test. Agreement on taking a realistic approach for tested designs. The Servei Català de Transit (SCT, Catalonia - Spain) joins the Mare Nostrum VMS working group as a permanent member. Madrid (January 2005): Comprehensibility Estimation (CE) tests results are presented and a plan for oncoming tests is elaborated. The group goes over the Mare Nostrum VMS Working Book again. A summary of the issues waiting for an answer is considered. The option appears of developing a VMS messages testing procedure via internet. Mr. Hans Remeijn offers a prototype option to begin the work. Rome (March 2005). Common results from CE tests are considered including France, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands. Future comprehension tests, including combinations, are considered (Tachistoscope, driving simulator, Internet). The first internet prototype for testing comprehension is presented by Mr. Remeijn. The second version of the Mare Nostrum VMS web site is becoming available. Paris (June 2005). …