The Master AARoads Dynamic Message Sign Poll

[Pink Jazz]

I decided to do a multi-question poll on dynamic message signs, and I would like to see what are the typical preferences here at AAroads.

1. What DMS technology do you prefer - Static Neon, Rotating Prism, Bulb Matrix, Flip-Dot, Fiber Optic, LED, or LED/Flip-Dot Hybrid?
2. What DMS form factor do you prefer - Front Access, Rear Access, or Walk-In?
3. For dot matrix type DMS, what matrix type do you prefer - Fixed Character Matrix, Line Matrix, or Full Matrix?
4. What is your favorite DMS manufacturer?

Here are my responses.
1. LED
2. Walk-In
3. Full Matrix
4. Skyline Products

What would your responses be?

[myosh_tino]

I decided to do a multi-question poll on dynamic message signs, and I would like to see what are the typical preferences here at AAroads.

1. What DMS technology do you prefer - Static Neon, Rotating Prism, Bulb Matrix, Flip-Dot, Fiber Optic, LED, or LED/Flip-Dot Hybrid?
2. What DMS form factor do you prefer - Front Access, Rear Access, or Walk-In?
3. For dot matrix type DMS, what matrix type do you prefer - Fixed Character Matrix, Line Matrix, or Full Matrix?
4. What is your favorite DMS manufacturer?

Here are my responses.
1. LED
2. Walk-In
3. Full Matrix
4. Skyline Products

What would your responses be?

1. LED
2. I have no idea
3. Full Matrix
4. McCain Inc. (http://www.mccain-inc.net/signs/item/signs/cms-signs.html)

[NE2]

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4.

[roadman]

LED
Front Access
Full Matrix
ADDCO

[jeffandnicole]

LED
Walk In
Full
Daktronics

[busman_49]

1.  Flip dot.  Those things were awesome.  The LED/Flip dots were okay, too...a nice mix of vintage & modern technology

[Ian]

1. Rotating prism. I'm a sucker for the old ones from the New Jersey Turnpike.
2. I don't know. Walk-in, I guess?
3. Full Matrix
4. Daktronics, I suppose. I do like new LED toll signs on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

1.
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4.

I declare a thumb war.

[freebrickproductions]

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4.

Agreed.

[roadman]

1.  Flip dot.  Those things were awesome.  The LED/Flip dots were okay, too...a nice mix of vintage & modern technology

No such animal asNot very common to see a LED/Flip disc VMS.  Commonly, these 'combined' signs were actually fiber optic/flip disc (FOFD).  The illuminated elements in the individual discs were from fiber optic cables driven by two rather large light bulbs (think oversized slide projector bulbs here) in the back of the sign.  Because of the need for periodic bulb replacement, and regular maintenance on the other components, most FOFD VMS panels were constructed with walk in cabinets.

MassDOT still has a few FOFD signs in place within the Greater Boston area, however, the majority of them are now non-functional due to age and lack of spare parts.  These panels are scheduled to be replaced with new LED signs beginning in 2017.

h/t to Pink Jazz for the clarification regarding flip disc/LED signs

[Pink Jazz]

1.  Flip dot.  Those things were awesome.  The LED/Flip dots were okay, too...a nice mix of vintage & modern technology

No such animal as an LED/Flip disc VMS.  The signs were actually fiber optic/flip disc (FOFD).  The illuminated elements in the individual discs were from fiber optic cables driven by two rather large light bulbs (think oversized slide projector bulbs here) in the back of the sign.  Because of the need for periodic bulb replacement, and regular maintenance on the other components, most FOFD VMS panels were constructed with walk in cabinets.

MassDOT still has a few FOFD signs in place within the Greater Boston area, however, the majority of them are now non-functional due to age and lack of spare parts.  These panels are scheduled to be replaced with new LED signs beginning in 2017.

Actually, there is indeed such a thing as Flip-Dot/LED hybrid displays.  I have seen some portable DMS that use it; they have an eerie green glow at night. Such displays have also been used as destination signs on transit buses; the City of Phoenix's oldest buses (1998 and 1999 NABI 40-LFWs) have them (Luminator MAX3000 on the 1998s and TwinVision LeDot on the 1999s).

As for replacing older DMS, some state DOTs are now opting for SES America's LED retrofit package to save money, which basically installs new LED panels inside the existing housings of older DMS. I know ADOT has installed it in several of their older FDS Sylvia DMS.

[busman_49]

1.  Flip dot.  Those things were awesome.  The LED/Flip dots were okay, too...a nice mix of vintage & modern technology

No such animal as an LED/Flip disc VMS.  The signs were actually fiber optic/flip disc (FOFD).  The illuminated elements in the individual discs were from fiber optic cables driven by two rather large light bulbs (think oversized slide projector bulbs here) in the back of the sign.  Because of the need for periodic bulb replacement, and regular maintenance on the other components, most FOFD VMS panels were constructed with walk in cabinets.

MassDOT still has a few FOFD signs in place within the Greater Boston area, however, the majority of them are now non-functional due to age and lack of spare parts.  These panels are scheduled to be replaced with new LED signs beginning in 2017.

Actually, there is indeed such a thing as Flip-Dot/LED hybrid displays.  I have seen some portable DMS that use it; they have an eerie green glow at night. Such displays have also been used as destination signs on transit buses; the City of Phoenix's oldest buses (1998 and 1999 NABI 40-LFWs) have them (Luminator MAX3000 on the 1998s and TwinVision LeDot on the 1999s).

As for replacing older DMS, some state DOTs are now opting for SES America's LED retrofit package to save money, which basically installs new LED panels inside the existing housings of older DMS. I know ADOT has installed it in several of their older FDS Sylvia DMS.

either way, the flip-dots with the little light were pretty neat.

[roadman]

Actually, there is indeed such a thing as Flip-Dot/LED hybrid displays.  I have seen some portable DMS that use it; they have an eerie green glow at night. Such displays have also been used as destination signs on transit buses; the City of Phoenix's oldest buses (1998 and 1999 NABI 40-LFWs) have them (Luminator MAX3000 on the 1998s and TwinVision LeDot on the 1999s).

As they say, you learn something new every day.  I've modified my original post accordingly.

As for replacing older DMS, some state DOTs are now opting for SES America's LED retrofit package to save money, which basically installs new LED panels inside the existing housings of older DMS. I know ADOT has installed it in several of their older FDS Sylvia DMS.

MassDOT's plan is to completely replace their remaining walk in cabinet FOFD boards, which are mid-1990s FDS Silvia and Mark IV manufacture, with new front access LED boards.  The reduced weight and depth of the new boards will allow the existing sign structures to be re-used.

[paulthemapguy]

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I declare a thumb war.

hahahahahahaha

[Pink Jazz]

I can see why some would prefer older DMS technologies due to nostalgia.  However, I'm a little surprised that nobody seems to prefer fixed character matrix or line matrix DMS for the same reasons, considering that full matrix is now becoming the norm for most new installations in most states, with the other two falling out favor (several manufacturers no longer make fixed character or line matrix DMS).

[US71]

1. meh
2. meh
2. meh
4. meh

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Now I know we have a lot of characters on this board, but this is one of those things I never thought people would have a deep interest in.

[tckma]

I know there are different styles, but I don't really know the differences.  I loved the NJ Turnpike's old static neon VMSs, if only as probably the earliest example of this kind of technology and a first iteration/implementation of the design.  I'm sad to see them removing those signs.  Also, the backlit signs for Exit 6 were another NJ Turnpike oddity/uniquity that fascinated me.  I was similarly sad to see those go with the new car/truck lane extension. 

I remember seeing VMS signs on the Southern State Parkway as a kid and remarking often that they never seemed to say anything besides "NORMAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AHEAD," even in a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam (which I suppose is normal for Long Island).

Nowadays I like the ones where you can't see the individual elements, such as (again!) the newer VMSs on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, which sometimes show representations of BGS assemblies for exits or yellow and red caution signs as if permanent assemblies were mounted.  It seems like New Jersey (or at least its toll road authorities) tends to be an innovator in this area.