During my daily commute, I noticed that Massachusetts continuously runs its VMSs, despite the absence of any unusual situations (Amber Alerts, extreme weather, accidents, emergency road work, etc.). During times of normal traffic flow, these signs display safety messages such as "Click It Or Ticket", or "Don't Drink And Drive". I also have noticed that this confuses some out-of-town drivers, like this one person that I was following, who slowed down considerably when he got to the first VMS on US 3 south, coming out of NH. I personally would prefer that the VMSs were turned off when they are not needed.
Do any other states use VMSs in this manner? Is this done because it is easier to change the message rather than powering on/booting the display signs? Does the MUTCD provide any guidance or regulations concerning this?
In Florida I saw a lot of them giving time and distance information (e.g., "FL-123, x miles, y minutes"). Maryland does that as well; Virginia was going to start it recently on I-66 (though they weren't displaying this when we went through there late Saturday night). Since September 11 a lot of the VMS signs in the DC area have displayed annoying messages about reporting suspicious activity and giving a phone number.
I've seen VMS signs in the Montreal area displaying "safety" messages of the sort you describe; I recall things like "Keep a safe following distance" and the like, all in French of course.
Some of Virginia's VMS signs need to be active 24/7 to advise of whether certain lanes are open or subject to restriction (HOV facilities), but I think that's probably a different situation.
California does this as well. "click it or ticket" and the like.
it would be easy to change the message to a blank, and that wouldn't involve having to power on or off the controller. (if that's even that big a deal - I get the idea that they don't run windows and therefore boot up in milliseconds.)
The ones in Ohio display travel times in the absence of anything emergency-related. I find it rather useful, because it usually gives options like
MINUTES TO:
I-71 6 MI 11
I-71 ON I670 7
edit: now that I think about it, they always give the travel time. If there is a missing person or air quality alert or something the signs alternate back and forth between the two messages.
^ that should be:
MINUTES TO:
I-71N 6 MI 11
I-71 ON I-670 7
Apparently they give the travel time to the East Split interchange rather than the West Split interchange because the distance is more-comparable to the distance to the Fort Hayes interchange on I-670.
Also, there must be some accident on the South Innerbelt or something, because the travel times are usually equal.
VT has only one permanent VMS and has several portable ones set up along I-89 and I-91. If they are not displaying any information, they are turned off. The portable ones are "semi-permanent" and are there to display weather information, primarily during the winter. I say "semi-permanent" because they are not used for displaying construction information.... if needed, that would be displayed on another portable VMS.
CT only runs their VMSs when there is construction, weather, or traffic information to pass along. The only exceptions I've seen are during campaigns such as Work Zone Safety Awareness Week (in April) or during times of heavy promotion of seat belt usage, drinking & driving, and such.
Florida displays a mix of travel time to upcoming exits as 1995hoo stated, plus safety notices. "DUI DECIDE BEFORE YOU DRIVE" is one of the more common ones (although it doesn't make sense when you think about it - it makes no statement that you shouldn't drink or drive, only that you should make the decision before you get behind the wheel). I see "CLICK IT OR TICKET" fairly regularly, and "FOR TRAVEL INFO DIAL 511" is common as well. If you're ever curious, fl511.com will let you look at the current message on any VMS sign in the state. Of course around here the most common message is probably a sliver alert for a missing old person.
Usually in Oklahoma they'll be left blank if there's nothing going on. Which is the usual situation. What I find more interesting is that Oklahoma's have two flashers at the top of them which I guess are supposed to be used for urgent messages, but are often turned on every time a message is displayed, like "BURN BAN IN EFFECT" that we've been getting lately.
More hilarious is when you drive up to one, see the sign on, and as you get closer see that it says something like "SIGN UNDER TEST". In one case there was one on I-40 that was alternating between "odot sign test" and "ODOT SIGN TEST" several times per second. That was pretty distracting.
IDOT usually has some stupid message like "Over the limit, under arrest" on the VMSs. ISTHA posts travel times 24/7 alternating with a message (usually about updating I-Pass).
In the urban Las Vegas area, NDOT partners with the Freeway and Arterial Systems of Transportation (FAST) (an RTC entity) for operation of ITS devices on the Las Vegas freeways. FAST monitors freeway conditions and operates the VMSs. In the absence of traffic incidents or other important information, FAST displays travel times on any freeway VMSs within the areas that active traffic monitoring has been deployed. Otherwise, the VMSs are usually left blank during normal operation.
In northern Nevada, I believe NDOT operates all VMSs. Generally they are left dark during normal traffic operations. Sometimes, a period or small dot is lit in the lower right hand corner, indicating the unit is on but currently has no message. They have been used to display safety messages as well--this is not done constantly, but around busy holiday weekends and other times when traffic safety campaigns are going on.
NY sometimes does this. Sometimes they turn the VMS off. It's not a regional thing so much as a date thing. They tend to be left on only during holiday travel times.
Missouri does.
Usually Don't Drink & Drive , Watch for Motorcycles, Road Conditions www.modot.org, and a couple others.
Arkansas DID along I-540 when it first opened:
Welcome to I-540 / Bobby Hopper Tunnel (alternating).
There are two on County Route 541 in Burlington County NJ, right before exit 47 on 295 and exit 5 on the NJ turnpike, they are only turned on when they want to direct people to the fastest route, if the NJTP is slow it will direct you onto 295, if 295 is slow it will reccomend the turnpike
In Indiana they are usually kept off, but around Indianapolis on Labor Day Weekend they all said, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"
the ones in Birmingham will show the travel time to downtown, etc, and I've seen the same in Atlanta.
Our local ones in Tuscaloosa just have a single blinking pixel in the bottom right most of the time, so you know they're still working. Right now they have local flood info up, since we got inundated with rain the last few days
Quote from: BamaZeus on September 06, 2011, 04:32:22 PM
a single blinking pixel in the bottom right most of the time, so you know they're still working
I think I saw a movie with that basic premise once. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terminator)
Or 'X'es in the corners like in New York state.
In Michigan they display estimated time to certain destinations (like on southbound US-31 just north of the I-96 interchange, the VMS sign lists the estimated travel time to Grand Haven and Coopersville).
Quote from: wh15395 on September 06, 2011, 02:05:32 PM
In Indiana they are usually kept off, but around Indianapolis on Labor Day Weekend they all said, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"
They did the same stupid message around the Calumet Region as well. I would've preferred travel times.
if I wanted to get preached to, I'd go to church.
Quote from: JohnnyH1972 on September 05, 2011, 01:06:41 PM
I also have noticed that this confuses some out-of-town drivers, like this one person that I was following, who slowed down considerably when he got to the first VMS on US 3 south, coming out of NH. I personally would prefer that the VMSs were turned off when they are not needed.
That doesn't sound like a State DOT problem (they are just trying to promote safety with their signs), that sounds like an "idiot driver problem".
While I find nag messages annoying, I'd much rather utilize these signs as much as possible, seeing as how they are so expensive to install and wire up to networks, etc. But some kind of useful information could be displayed....travel times, destination information, etc.
A driver should not slow down when seeing a VMS. There is no reason to. A state DOT should not not post information just because a minority of drivers are dumb and slow down.
In addition to travel related messages ("Slow Down - Save a Life", "Watch for Motorcycles", etc...), the VMS's around Pittsburgh will occasionally have a "Go Steelers" or "Lets Go Pens" during playoffs.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on September 07, 2011, 01:28:05 PM
In addition to travel related messages ("Slow Down - Save a Life", "Watch for Motorcycles", etc...), the VMS's around Pittsburgh will occasionally have a "Go Steelers" or "Lets Go Pens" during playoffs.
Now that is totally inappropriate use of VMS's. Signs supported by Federal tax dollars should not be permitted to advertise for private enterprises such as a sports team. If they want to have a sign guiding drivers to a generic event ("Football Traffic", "Stadium Event", etc.) that is okay, but posting something that is really no more than an advertising message in a location that could distract drivers is really blatent abuse of traffic control devices, which are to be used for roadway/travel/safety related information only.
Quote from: SteveG1988 on September 06, 2011, 08:58:44 AM
There are two on County Route 541 in Burlington County NJ, right before exit 47 on 295 and exit 5 on the NJ turnpike, they are only turned on when they want to direct people to the fastest route, if the NJTP is slow it will direct you onto 295, if 295 is slow it will reccomend the turnpike
ON 401 regulates the express/collector system the same way. Most of the time it's "Express and collector moving well beyond next transfer".
Quote from: Brandon on September 06, 2011, 08:03:57 PM
Quote from: wh15395 on September 06, 2011, 02:05:32 PM
In Indiana they are usually kept off, but around Indianapolis on Labor Day Weekend they all said, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"
They did the same stupid message around the Calumet Region as well. I would've preferred travel times.
That is what happens when INDOT actually has "travel time signs," though I have only seen one in operation on the Borman and another on the northside of Indy that isn't working yet, so travel times on the VMSs wouldn't be a bad idea temporarly.
Quote from: mtantillo on September 07, 2011, 02:22:30 PM
Now that is totally inappropriate use of VMS's. Signs supported by Federal tax dollars should not be permitted to advertise for private enterprises such as a sports team. If they want to have a sign guiding drivers to a generic event ("Football Traffic", "Stadium Event", etc.) that is okay, but posting something that is really no more than an advertising message in a location that could distract drivers is really blatent abuse of traffic control devices, which are to be used for roadway/travel/safety related information only.
meh. I'd rail against the use of tax dollars to fund stadiums instead.
I (a Red Sox fan) would rather see 1000 "Go Yankees" VMSes than a single one reminding me to drive safely. Either I will or I won't, and a VMS will not influence my decision one way or the other.
Still. A government funded VMS should not be used to promote a private enterprise with no legal association with the city aside from its name. They can advise people how to get to it, but if it doesn't affect the road user, it does not belong. Sorry if people disagree, but traffic control devices are not for advertising.
Quote from: tdindy88 on September 07, 2011, 02:48:05 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 06, 2011, 08:03:57 PM
Quote from: wh15395 on September 06, 2011, 02:05:32 PM
In Indiana they are usually kept off, but around Indianapolis on Labor Day Weekend they all said, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"
They did the same stupid message around the Calumet Region as well. I would've preferred travel times.
That is what happens when INDOT actually has "travel time signs," though I have only seen one in operation on the Borman and another on the northside of Indy that isn't working yet, so travel times on the VMSs wouldn't be a bad idea temporarly.
Why not permanently? ISTHA does this. Why does InDOT need a separate sign for travel times? It's a waste, IMHO.
As for the sports teams, lighten up Francis (mtantillo).
Haha, sorry, I think it just shows how annoyed I get with public expenditures on pro-sports, typically for stadiums.
I would love to see VMS's, in their off time, display "common courtesy" messages, such as:
"LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY -- NOT FOR LEADING PARADES!!!"
"YOU BOUGHT A CAR WITH TURN SIGNALS -- USE THEM!!!"
"THE SPEED LIMIT DOES *NOT* DROP 15 MPH BELOW THE POSTED LIMIT IF YOU SEE A POLICE CAR!!!"
"READING THIS SIGN SIDEWAYS??? THEN BUY A BLUETOOTH!!!"
"THIS AIN'T ENGLAND -- SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP *RIGHT*!!!"
:biggrin:
LOL!
Only thing is that the legal speed limit does drop to 15 or 20 below the posted limit if you are passing a police car and cannot "move over". Here's a few more:
"I DIDN'T SEE A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THAT RAMP, DID YOU?"
"NO TRUCKS IN LEFT LANE APPLIES TO YOU TOO!"
"PLEASE EXIT FROM THE RIGHT LANE, NOT ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE!!"
Quote from: mtantillo on September 08, 2011, 06:55:48 PM
LOL!
Only thing is that the legal speed limit does drop to 15 or 20 below the posted limit if you are passing a police car and cannot "move over".
Actually, it doesn't. Scott's Law is usually so ill-defined that there is no threshold for slowing down. There is none written into the laws usually. It could be 2mph, or it could be 20mph, cop's discretion.
If we're talking about messages they should display, one that would be very timely here in the DC area would be....
"TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS IN THE RAIN!"
alternating with–
"YOUR LOW-BEAMS!!! NOT THE PARKING LIGHTS, NOT THE HIGH-BEAMS!"
I went to pick up my wife yesterday night during the torrential downpours and it wasn't an easy drive between the amount of water, the invisible cars being driven without headlights, the people who think it's OK to use high-beams because it's not night, etc.....I suppose we should be thankful that our neighborhood is not flood-prone.
I like this one from above, BTW:
"READING THIS SIGN SIDEWAYS??? THEN BUY A BLUETOOTH!!!"
Quote from: Brandon on September 08, 2011, 09:03:32 PM
Quote from: mtantillo on September 08, 2011, 06:55:48 PM
LOL!
Only thing is that the legal speed limit does drop to 15 or 20 below the posted limit if you are passing a police car and cannot "move over".
Actually, it doesn't. Scott's Law is usually so ill-defined that there is no threshold for slowing down. There is none written into the laws usually. It could be 2mph, or it could be 20mph, cop's discretion.
It is 20 mph below the posted limit in Florida when in the lane adjacent to an emergency vehicles with lights on. Definitely a thing that varies from state to state.
Quote from: Alex on September 09, 2011, 09:24:34 AM
Quote from: Brandon on September 08, 2011, 09:03:32 PM
Quote from: mtantillo on September 08, 2011, 06:55:48 PM
LOL!
Only thing is that the legal speed limit does drop to 15 or 20 below the posted limit if you are passing a police car and cannot "move over".
Actually, it doesn't. Scott's Law is usually so ill-defined that there is no threshold for slowing down. There is none written into the laws usually. It could be 2mph, or it could be 20mph, cop's discretion.
It is 20 mph below the posted limit in Florida when in the lane adjacent to an emergency vehicles with lights on. Definitely a thing that varies from state to state.
The boldfaced text is absolutely correct. Some states explicitly include vehicles like tow trucks, others don't. Best practice is just to move over, period, and to slow down if you can't. Regardless of whether you're "required" to do it, it's the "right" thing to do.
Quote from: mtantillo on September 08, 2011, 06:55:48 PM
LOL!
Only thing is that the legal speed limit does drop to 15 or 20 below the posted limit if you are passing a police car and cannot "move over".
Agreed if the police is stopped on the shoulder, that slow-down-or-move-over law is logical.
I'm talking more when there is a cop car sitting in the median (safely off of & away from the traveling lanes) running radar or when a police car is traveling at or below the speed limit on the main roadways without any lights on, there's always a moron in the pack who will drop to 50MPH in a 65 zone "just in case" their speedometer is off by 16 MPH.
This afternoon on the northbound Palmetto Expressway (FL 826) there was a VMS message size "Snooze You Lose" "Don't Drive Drowsy"
Travel times are given in the immediate urban areas in Louisiana and also alert drivers to construction/lane closures.
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway's VMS have messages such as "Drive Carefully", "Right Lane For Passing" and the number to dial for drivers who breakdown on the bridge and see unsafe driving conditions. They also give weather alerts, weather-related vehicle restrictions and gives the radio station that gives Causeway traffic info.
Quote from: thenetwork on September 09, 2011, 03:54:28 PM
Quote from: mtantillo on September 08, 2011, 06:55:48 PM
LOL!
Only thing is that the legal speed limit does drop to 15 or 20 below the posted limit if you are passing a police car and cannot "move over".
Agreed if the police is stopped on the shoulder, that slow-down-or-move-over law is logical.
I'm talking more when there is a cop car sitting in the median (safely off of & away from the traveling lanes) running radar or when a police car is traveling at or below the speed limit on the main roadways without any lights on, there's always a moron in the pack who will drop to 50MPH in a 65 zone "just in case" their speedometer is off by 16 MPH.
Then there's no reason to go lower than the limit. Wave and let him know you see him, and he isn't as well hidden as he likes to think he is.
Quote from: JohnnyH1972 on September 05, 2011, 01:06:41 PM
Do any other states use VMSs in this manner? Is this done because it is easier to change the message rather than powering on/booting the display signs? Does the MUTCD provide any guidance or regulations concerning this?
When I lived in Sioux Falls SD, SDDOT came under fire for not displaying messages about a severe blizzard. One local TV station had a story about it, and it snowballed (no pun intended). This was closer to the time that they were first installed along I-29/I-90. When I lived there, they were rarely used (even for obvious things like road construction). I think they installed them because of the Amber Alert. Now, they are used for road construction, and other traveler info.
Quote from: brownpelican on September 10, 2011, 12:02:15 AM
Quote from: mtantillo on September 09, 2011, 06:57:27 PM
Quote from: brownpelican on September 09, 2011, 05:12:22 PM
"Right Lane For Passing"
What?!??!?!?!??!?!??!??!
I kid you not...
That's annoying. That's like in PA, when they do construction and shift all traffic over to one side, they often have a sign forcing trucks and buses to use the left lane. That means that you have to pass them on the right, which is very dangerous, but you have no choice but to do it.
Someone explained that they do it so that in a narrow two-lane cattle chute, truck drivers can better judge the distance to a barrier on the left than one to the right.
Quote from: mtantillo on September 13, 2011, 03:11:39 PM
That's annoying. That's like in PA, when they do construction and shift all traffic over to one side, they often have a sign forcing trucks and buses to use the left lane. That means that you have to pass them on the right, which is very dangerous, but you have no choice but to do it.
Someone explained that they do it so that in a narrow two-lane cattle chute, truck drivers can better judge the distance to a barrier on the left than one to the right.
Also, a lot of times they'll use shoulders to maintain two lanes of traffic. Since the shoulders don't have the same pavement thickness, they don't want trucks driving on them. (So, if the right lane in the const. zone is using the shoulder, they'll tell the trucks to stay in the left lane)