VMS Boards: What can Jaybro supply?

Types of Variable Message Signs and their uses

What is a VMS used for?

Variable message signs (VMS) are electronic roadside signs used to inform drivers of incidents, travel times, detours, special events, and other useful road conditions or travel information.

The main purpose of a portable VMS or variable message sign is to provide motorists and pedestrians with information, making them ideal for traffic control, roadworks, emergency breakdown support vehicles, workers conducting projects along the verge, and much more

Where are variable message signs used?

With the ability to display messages, symbols and directions, VMS boards are designed to direct, warn or guide road users during an unplanned road incident. They are deployed by traffic and road authorities in an emergency to alert motorists of unplanned route changes, for example, a road that is temporarily closed due to flooding.

They are also useful for providing information on upcoming changes to traffic conditions as a result of planned events and road construction or maintenance.

VMS boards are also ideal for informing and directing large numbers of pedestrians during major events like sporting events, festivals and shows.

What types of variable message signs are available?

There are two options for VMS signs: vehicle-mounted or self-contained trailer-mounted units.

Vehicle-mounted

With these units, a single or double-sided board is mounted to the roof of a service vehicle or work truck. This gives you a mobile Variable Message Sign that can be easily moved from one location to another for both short and long term use.

Laid flat for travel, the board is easily raised when needed using an automatic side-mounted hydraulic lift arm that raises and lowers the unit. These trailer mounted VMS boards provide high visibility at low power consumption and are very portable for applications like emergency roadworks or traffic control.

Trailer mounted

Trailer mounted VMS boards have a coupling that is easily attached to any vehicle with a tow bar. The boards can be towed into place and can be positioned in a multitude of ways to alert road users of potential hazards and changed conditions.

There are a number of types of VMS trailers, with different models generally differentiated by how intricate the programmed design can be, and the size of the LED signboard itself. Larger models can be up to 2.6 metres wide for visibility at long distances.

It’s important to check with your local council for guidance on regulations in your area - your council and local road authority can provide more detailed advice on where and how VMS can be positioned near the roadside.

Benefits of variable message signs

• Reduces congestion and traffic on roads by giving motorists advanced warning of traffic or environmental changes
• Improves safety by communicating changes in a bright, easily visible way
• Portable and able to be programmed remotely, VMS boards can be updated and changed quickly and easily to ensure the message remains consistent with conditions on the road
• Helps to reduce the likelihood of crashes where traffic comes to a sudden, unexpected stop - signs provide advance warning for drivers to slow down

Get a Variable Message Sign from Jaybro

Take a look at the different types of VMS for sale here or get in touch with our traffic team for detailed information on sizes, specifications and more.