Use of Color Changeable Message Signs - Current Practices and Research

Details

• Creators:
  Hoekstra-Atwood, Liberty ; Campbell, John L. ; Hoover, Connor ; Katz, Bryan ; Kehoe, Nicholas
• Corporate Creators:
  Battelle
• Contributor:
  Chu, Jimmy
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Operations
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Variable message signs
  • Color
  • Traffic control devices
  • Guidelines
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA-HOP-18-067
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Right Statement:
  Public Domain
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Contracting Officer:
  Chu, Jimmy
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Operations
• Description:
  Two overarching objectives of the Use of Color Changeable Message Signs (CMSs) - Current Practice and Research project are (1) to understand how agencies are displaying messages and using CMSs capable of displaying color, and (2) provide information on illuminated color displays from research reviewed that may help in establishing future color Changeable Message Sign (CMS) display policy and practice. This report presents information based on available literature, research, and current practices from the limited number of States using colors on CMSs. This report may assist transportation agencies with identifying the range of issues to consider and possible implications with integrating color in the display of different types of messages (e.g., combination of text and symbols, symbols only) on color CMSs. The information in this report may also assist with supporting the identification of issues to address in future efforts to develop technical resources, procedures, policies, or research in support of the use and display of messages on color CMSs. This report does not alter or supersede the national standards for the use and display of CMSs set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). Messages displayed on CMSs within roadway or highway rights-of-way in the United States are required to follow the provisions in the MUTCD. Though many provisions throughout the MUTCD apply to the operation of CMSs as a traffic control device, Chapter 2L of the MUTCD provides standards and guidance unique to the use and display of messages specific to the characteristics and capabilities of CMSs.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  DTFH61-12-D-00049
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/94038/dot_94038_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.69 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Federal Highway Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:213751e4f46f087c004e4ab4a591bd50599823b67d4b0566d8e24688f1b60f45eed0ea67016af6b5d8eec919ef2d35f796399aa44586299bcaa3b14193d966e0