Selecting the ideal message board keeps motorists informed, reduces delays, and enhances safety at your work zone. At Western Highways Traffic Safety, we guide contractors through key considerations—size, visibility, power, and compliance—so you pick the right full-matrix or fixed-message board for every situation. Below, our EEAT-driven advice helps you make an informed choice.
1. Determine Your Messaging Needs
First, ask what messages you’ll display:
- Standard Warnings: “Work Zone Ahead,” “Lane Closed,” or “Shoulder Closed.”
- Variable Text: Custom detours, speed adjustments, or incident alerts.
- Graphics & Symbols: Arrows, chevrons, or safety icons.
If you need only a few fixed texts, a fixed-message board may suffice. However, for dynamic alerts—such as traffic delays, weather warnings, or emergency reroutes—a full-matrix board offers full-color graphics and unlimited text options.
2. Size & Legibility Requirements
Next, consider square footage and sight distance:
- Sign Face Size: MUTCD recommends at least 4×8 feet for standard highways and 4×7 feet for low-speed roads.
- Character Height: To ensure readability, use letters at least 2 inches tall for every 10 feet of viewing distance. For a 200-foot sightline, choose 20-inch characters.
- Matrix Resolution: Higher pixel density (e.g., 24×48 vs. 16×24) improves clarity of text and simple graphics, especially for variable messages.
Moreover, ensure your board’s front face is free from obstructions—like barriers or equipment—to maintain line-of-sight for approaching drivers.
3. Brightness & Display Technology
Visibility under all conditions is crucial:
- LED Intensity: Choose boards with 10,000+ nits of brightness. This ensures your display remains clear in direct sunlight and at night.
- Automatic Dimming: Boards with ambient light sensors adjust brightness automatically to prevent glare.
- Color Options: While amber LEDs meet most standards, full-color RGB displays can highlight critical messages (e.g., red for “Accident Ahead”).
By selecting the right display technology, you guarantee that drivers absorb your warnings and instructions immediately.
4. Power & Mounting Considerations
Then, match power and mounting to your project’s duration and location:
- Power Options:
- Solar-Assisted: Solar panels plus battery packs for multi-week jobs in remote areas.
- AC-Powered: Ideal for long-term urban deployments with grid access.
- Generator-Ready: Connect portable generators during high-use events.
- Mounting Styles:
- Trailer-Mounted: Quick deployment and easy relocation on highways.
- Truck-Mounted: Integrates with existing safety trucks for rapid setup.
- Pole-Mount: Permanent or semi-permanent installations near known work sites.
Furthermore, consider theft deterrence—choose lockable cabinets or chains for unattended sites.
5. Compliance & Regulatory Alignment
Always verify board specifications against regulatory standards:
- MUTCD Part 6F: Defines sign dimensions, legend requirements, and placement distances.
- Caltrans Traffic Manual: Adds state-specific guidelines on board usage within California.
- NCHRP 350 / MASH Test Levels: Ensures your trailer or truck mount meets crash-worthy standards.
In addition, retain documentation—test certificates, calibration records, and operator training logs—to support audits and permits.
6. Rental vs. Purchase Decisions
Finally, weigh cost, frequency of use, and project timelines:
- Short-Term Projects: Renting message boards reduces capital outlay and maintenance responsibilities.
- Long-Term or Multiple Jobs: Purchasing pays off when you deploy boards repeatedly; you control scheduling and customization.
- Hybrid Approach: Buy a core fleet of boards and rent specialized units (e.g., full-color displays) as needed.
Work with a trusted supplier—like Western Highways Traffic Safety—to compare rental rates, purchase options, and service packages side by side.
Conclusion
By assessing messaging needs, legibility, display technology, power/mounting, compliance, and cost models, you’ll select the perfect message board for any road project. Western Highways Traffic Safety combines expert guidance, certified equipment, and responsive support to keep your work zones safe and traffic flowing smoothly.
Contact Us
Ready to choose or rent your next message board? Reach out today:
- Phone: +1 (559) 785-1400
- Email: info@westernhighwaystrafficsafety.com
- Website: westernhighwaystrafficsafety.com
