PSAs on VMSs Good or Bad?

[sp_redelectric]

such uplifting messages as "courage", "dedication"

Brought to you by The Foundation for a Better Life.  LOL!

I do agree that VMSes should only be used for urgent messages (including poor weather conditions).  Travel time signs should be separate, fixed, permanent signs so that drivers who want that information know where to look for it.  When ODOT used to display the travel times on the VMSes the "travel to" destinations would periodically change.  I don't have to drive the freeway in my commute but talking to my co-workers, they tell me that each time the VMS lights up, everyone slams on their brakes.  I've even heard it on the morning traffic reports of "slow traffic due to motorists reading a variable message sign".

[Scott5114]

Obviously they need to post a new message...

DON'T SLOW DOWN TO READ THIS SIGN

MORON

[gonealookin]

The one in Stateline, NV on eastbound US-50 approaching NV-207 has occasionally displayed WELCOME TO NEVADA.  Talk about useless.

The westbound US-50 one a few hundred yards up the road often displays California chain control information.  Now that's useful.

[1995hoo]

I was watching some sports highlights the other night and one of the ones they showed was that amazing comeback by the 1992 Buffalo Bills against the Houston Oilers in the playoffs when the Bills were losing 32—3 but won the game. It reminded me of one of the dumber VMS PSAs: The following week the Bills played in Pittsburgh and I recall Sports Illustrated had a picture of a VMS on the approach to the Fort Pitt Tunnel that said "Attention Buffalo Fans/Entering Terrible Towel Zone/No Comebacks Allowed." (The Steelers lost.)

[hm insulators]

Utah only uses its VMSs for travel time information and air pollution advisories when not used for emergency purposes. The air pollution messages always say something along the lines of, "Poor air quality Mon-Wed; Drive less, Travel wise." I don't think that's a bad thing.

Phoenix does something similar with their VMS signs--during smoggy days, they say something like "HIGH POLLUTION ADVISORY. CARPOOL. USE BUS."

[kphoger]

A little late to catch a bus, unless the VMS is posted right outside your front yard.

[1995hoo]

Utah only uses its VMSs for travel time information and air pollution advisories when not used for emergency purposes. The air pollution messages always say something along the lines of, "Poor air quality Mon-Wed; Drive less, Travel wise." I don't think that's a bad thing.

Phoenix does something similar with their VMS signs--during smoggy days, they say something like "HIGH POLLUTION ADVISORY. CARPOOL. USE BUS."

Around here when we have a "Code Red" (or, very rarely, a more severe "Code Purple") bad-air day the buses are free and they tell everyone to use the bus and to avoid doing anything outdoors if possible. I've always wondered how I'm supposed to reconcile those two things when the nearest bus stop is a half-mile walk.

[Duke87]

Kinda like how sometimes around here you'll see "NYC GRIDLOCK ALERT TODAY USE MASS TRANSIT".

Too late, already in my car. And the fact that I am in my car means I am going somewhere the subway does not. Else, I would be on the train anyway.

[mightyace]

I noticed during my holiday travel that Kentucky puts the drunk driving and seat belt messages on their VMSs during this period.

I pretty sure that I did not see this on the signs during non-holiday periods.

[deathtopumpkins]

VMSes around Mass. over the past couple weeks have been displaying very poorly-arranged safety messages. I forget the exact wording, but something to the effect of "Obey Speed Limits / Don't Drink & Drive / [something else]"

I remember back in Virginia they would display a message similar to the ones mentioned above when under an ozone advisory.

Oh and I'm moving this thread to Traffic Control, I feel that's a more appropriate place.

[SidS1045]

VMSes around Mass. over the past couple weeks have been displaying very poorly-arranged safety messages. I forget the exact wording, but something to the effect of "Obey Speed Limits / Don't Drink & Drive / [something else]"

I remember back in Virginia they would display a message similar to the ones mentioned above when under an ozone advisory.

Oh and I'm moving this thread to Traffic Control, I feel that's a more appropriate place.

The other one is an alternating message about no cell phone use for junior operators and no texting for all drivers.  (It's still legal in Massachusetts to use a handheld cell phone for calling or answering a call...no hands-free law here yet.)

They also use VMS's in Massachusetts for weather advisories, but only those that will affect driving, usually limited to severe thunderstorms or winter storms.  When one of our major-league teams is in the playoffs, they will often display "Go Red Sox/Patriots/Celtics/Bruins," whichever is appropriate.

[Takumi]

In the sports-on-VMS vein, whenever NASCAR or IndyCar visits Richmond International Raceway, the VMS's on I-95 northbound would say which exit race traffic should take to reach the track.

[hbelkins]

(It's still legal in Massachusetts to use a handheld cell phone for calling or answering a call...no hands-free law here yet.)

Seriously? Well  to Massachusetts!