Messages From Above

Putting together a product focus on message signs is not an easy task. The signs come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and their applications encompass a wide variety of transportation applications?lane closures, weather information, incident management, parking information, traffic congestion information?the list is endless. The number of manufacturers of these signs is almost as broad as the signs themselves.

For the purpose of this overview article, Transportation Management + Engineering has randomly selected products from message sign manufacturers.

Manufacturers not covered in this article can be looked up on the Traffic Management + Engineering website (www.TMEmag.com) by clicking in the Buyer?s Guide button.

ActOne Communications of Irwindale, Calif., manufacture variable message signs that offer good legibility and visibility under any weather conditions including rain, fog or glaring sun.

According to ActOne, their variable message signs include outdoor LEDs that have up to 22û viewing angle, a long-life expectancy and low power consumption. Additionally, electronically paralleled LED strings make certain that failure of one string will not cause the failure of an entire pixel.

With no moving parts within the system, the variable message signs incur low maintenance costs.

E-ZPass customers encounter variable message signs on the Throgs Neck Bridge in New York. Here, two full-color variable message signs, each 5 x 35 ft covering a total of six lanes, include red, green and blue color LEDs. The signs display E-ZPass lane designations, cautionary warnings, graphics and public messages.

Combining the convenience of an arrow board and the flexibility of a dynamic message sign results in the Arrow Dynamic Sign manufactured by ADDCO Inc., St. Paul, Minn.

Incorporating the company?s BRICK sign system, a 19 in. x 14 in. environmentally sealed display module containing 96 pixels with four LEDs each, the ADS can accommodate numerous BRICK configurations either horizontally or vertically on a standard arrow board back plane.

BRICKS in the signs can be assembled based on message type and budget ranging from 4 x 3 BRICKS to configurations that allow 5 x 2, 6 x 2 and 6 x 1 assemblies.

Text and graphic capabilities can be programmed by either a laptop computer or by handheld controller. Current users of the BRICK system are downloading ADDCO?s free BRICKBuilder software so they can customize and configure signs for their own needs

According to ADDCO, the signs offers excellent visibility in inclement weather, nighttime or daytime.

The CMS-T333 portable changeable message sign manufactured by American Signal Co., Atlanta, is a full-size, all-LED, solar-charged, programmable, full-matrix changeable message sign capable of displaying alphanumeric messages in nine font sizes and displaying MUTCD Part VI graphic construction signs and arrow board messages.

The sign is capable of displaying messages with legibility distances of approximately 1,000 ft and feature automatic centering capability for each line of a displayed message. It may be equipped for remote operation and interfaced with an optional radar transmitter and display actual speeds for vehicles exceeding the user selectable "threshold" speed.

Ideal applications for the CMS-T333 include construction and maintenance work-zone applications on high-capacity, high-speed roadways requiring extended visibility and legibility distances.

The Vanguard VMS from Daktronics Inc. of Brookings, S.D., is available in numerous sizes to fit a variety of traffic management applications including the display of motorist information, incident management, airport flight and parking information, bridge/tunnel/toll road traffic control and weather information.

According to Daktronics, the sign offers visibility in all weather and lighting conditions while high-quality LEDs ensure uniform intensity and color across the display face. All-aluminum seam-welded sign housings can withstand 100-mph winds as well as truck gusting induced fatigue.

Real-time message verification enables the operator to verify the exact appearance of messages shown on a sign located miles from the traffic management center. Full-color capability is available, up to 256 colors, in addition to the traditional amber color.

The LiteReader Variable Message Sign from Intelicom Inc., Belgrade, Mont., can be used for numerous temporary and moving road and highway applications. Made with rugged lightweight welded aluminum frames and scratch-resistant Lexan windows, the unit lacks moving parts, providing low maintenance and easy mobility, according to the manufacturer.

The message signs are used to communicate specific information in situations where worker safety and congestion mitigation are concerns.

Without the use of a PC or software, a hand-held keypad with liquid crystal display provides an operator the ability to quickly change a message.

The unit operates from a low-cost, 12-volt power source and is available in two different models.

International Traffic Control Products Inc., based in Junction, Texas, manufactures LED solar powered message signs for a variety of traffic-based applications, including work zones.

The basic sign used on state highways is a 6 x 9 ft portable electronic sign. It is available in three-line and full matrix and a 4 x 8 ft format.

Used for informing motorists and for traffic control on federal, state, city and county roads, various messages such as direction, road closures or special events, to name a few, can be displayed.

Using a portable keypad the signs can display 150 pre-programmed messages and have room for 75 user-defined messages. The larger signs have the option of adding cell phone and modem operation. They keypad of PC software allows users to change the message on the sign or make up a new message and transmit it to the sign. The user also can change the flash rate and set scheduling for future messages.

In an effort to increase traffic safety, National Sign & Signal Co., based in Battle Creek, Mich., manufactures fiber optic blank out signs with the ability to offer distinct message customization, fail-safe burn-out protection and good visibility in a variety of weather situations.

Designed with a flexible format, the blank-out signs allow users to customize the message they require. The signs are manufactured with dual 42-watt lamps that provide a clear message in the event of one light source failure.

The signs are built with energy-efficient fiber optics, utilize all standard ITE colors and are made with durable aluminum and corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

Custom built for maximum versatility, variable message signs from Vultron Inc., Rochester Hills, Mich., are currently being used in a variety of highway, toll plaza and parking garage-based applications.

For highway applications, character height options can be selected with 7-, 12- or 18-in. characters offering a cone vision of 15?, 23? or 30? depending on LED selection. Each of the signs can be easily read by traffic from head-on or by merging traffic from an on-ramp.

For applications involving highway on/off ramps, open/close signs for rest stops, truck weigh stations and parking garage entrances, 3-, 7- and 8-in. characters are available.

All character heights for the applications above are available as discrete characters, line matrix or full matrix.

Users can specify the length of lines, number of lines of data needed and color choices. Controlled from a central computer, data can be transmitted from a number of sources including cellular wireless.

The Wanco Message Director manufactured by Arvada, Colo.-based Wanco Inc. offers high-output amber LEDs, optical lenses and sunshades in order to increase visibility.

Four high-output LEDs form a pixel and an optical lens increases the brightness of each pixel four times. Sunshades surround each pixel, reducing glare and increasing contrast legibility. Legible from 1,000 feet in the day or night, brightness is automatically adjusted dependent on ambient light conditions.

The sign comes equipped with a self-contained onboard computer, no laptop required. Easy-to-use programming includes 300 pre-canned frame messages, space for 400 user programmed sequenced frames and password protection

Engineered for use with a solar powered charging system, the high output solar panel array enables units to run continuously in most weather conditions

Following the acquisition of Spokane, Wash.-based American Electronic Sign, 3M Intelligent Transportation Systems of St. Paul, Minn., now offers a complete line of dynamic message systems that result in "smart" solutions for a wide variety of both permanent and temporary traffic management applications. The signs can be used for event management; weather alerts; bridges, tunnels and turnpikes; incident response; work zones; and parking lots, to name a few applications.

According to 3M, the signs are the only products available that take advantage of three sources of illumination?reflected ambient light during the day, reflected light from approaching headlights after dark and energy-smart internal illumination that is activated by photo cell or programmed command.

The signs also offer three choices of light emitting sources in the display systems?rear illumination, fiber optic illumination and high output LED illumination.