Electronic Regulatory Signs

[Big John]

^^  An aside, why would you want to go 60 mph on a snow/ice covered road?

[KEK Inc.]

Pretty sure they closed that road (since it leads to a floating bridge) when WSDOT snapped that picture.  But the sign on the right is generally used as the maximum posted speed limit, which wouldn't change given the conditions. 

If the road were active, I think the sign on the right would say, "Snow and Icy Conditions" and have lower speed limits on the overhead.

[cpzilliacus]

I've heard about those signs that actually display the text in the FHWA font. Does anyone know how exactly that works? My closest guess is some guide that is sent to the sign that tells which LEDs (if those are even used on those things) to light up, which color, etc.

We have these magical devices called computers...

For example, the NJ Turnpike Authority can send an image straight to the VMS, or it can send text and the VMS will display the text in the appropriate font.

As I told you some time back, those signs on the Turnpike (obviously the new units, not the classic N.J. Turnpike panels with the red neon) are absolutely amazing.  Best I have ever seen.  Saw one last summer that was lit-up in construction orange (looked to be exactly on-spec as far as the MUTCD goes) with black FHWA characters warning of an overnight closure on the Outerbridge crossing.  It was so good that at first I thought it was a static sign (and I started wondering how the Turnpike Authority had enough resources to install huge static sign panels for an overnight closure).

[Scott5114]

At that point, they're basically a large, low-resolution monitor.

[jeffandnicole]

I've heard about those signs that actually display the text in the FHWA font. Does anyone know how exactly that works? My closest guess is some guide that is sent to the sign that tells which LEDs (if those are even used on those things) to light up, which color, etc.

We have these magical devices called computers...

For example, the NJ Turnpike Authority can send an image straight to the VMS, or it can send text and the VMS will display the text in the appropriate font.

As I told you some time back, those signs on the Turnpike (obviously the new units, not the classic N.J. Turnpike panels with the red neon) are absolutely amazing.  Best I have ever seen.  Saw one last summer that was lit-up in construction orange (looked to be exactly on-spec as far as the MUTCD goes) with black FHWA characters warning of an overnight closure on the Outerbridge crossing.  It was so good that at first I thought it was a static sign (and I started wondering how the Turnpike Authority had enough resources to install huge static sign panels for an overnight closure).

Like this one you mentioned, some of the VMS signs are excellent - Construction signs, "NJ State Law" signs, etc.  But then there's others that they seem to have real issues with.  Between Exits 5 & 4 there's a "Time to" sign to the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  The maximum is now 47 miles, 47 minutes (60 mph?)(The max used to be 47 miles, 45 minutes), one of the lines is off-center, and the background color is some sort of faded shade of green.