Skip to main content

Caltrans sets sights on Swarco McCain signage

CMS 800 signs replace CMS 700 series, jointly developed with California agency
By Adam Hill April 18, 2023 Read time: 1 min
Travel times, incident notifications: road users need them (© Iofoto | Dreamstime.com)

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has renewed a deal for Swarco McCain's variable message signs (VMS).

The McCain CMS 800 signs replace the CMS 700 series, jointly developed with Caltrans, and are NEMA TS4-compliant.

Dean Campbell, Caltrans chief at the Office of Systems Development, says: "The CMS 800 signs increase the message contrast and visibility, which helps effectively communicate safety information for all road travellers.”

The full-colour LED displays are available outside California, adds Justin Sigel, director of signs at Swarco McCain.

The CMS 800 features Swarco's patented Precision Optics lens technology and integrated surface-mount 3-in-1 RGB LEDs, which provide exceptional visibility, the firm says - and the 110/120 VAC, 60 Hz internal power supply means exceptionally low energy consumption and low operational costs.

"The CMS 800 has the lowest total cost of ownership, thanks to extremely low power consumption and interchangeable field service assemblies," Sigel suggests.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Measuring the effectiveness of winter VMS
    August 5, 2013
    A survey into the effectiveness of weather-related variable message signs on a trans-mountain highway has some interesting results, as Alexis Bacelar told ITS Europe. A study in the Massif Central region of France evaluating the usefulness of winter weather warning signs has highlighted the effect of variable message signs on driver behaviour. During the winter of 2009-2010, road operator Massif Central Direction Interdépartementale des Routes (MC DIR) started installing bad weather-specific variable messag
  • Keeping fans on course for big golf date
    September 3, 2014
    Traffic planners are taking an intelligent approach to ensure golf fans heading to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland later this month don’t find themselves bunkered by congestion. Organisers will use full matrix LED signs supplied by Mobile Traffic Solutions (MTS) to ensure the logistical operation runs smoothly. Some of the traffic management around the Perthshire venue, as well as the routes to and from park and ride sites in Perth, Kinross and Stirling, are being handled by the AA. They have follow
  • Using electricity to power road freight
    October 22, 2014
    Next year sees the start of the first real-life electrified road system for transporting freight. Worldwide freight transportation is predicted to double by 2050 but despite expansion of global rail infrastructure only one third of this additional freight transport can be handled by trains. This means that the largest proportion of freight transport will continue to be by road and as a result, experts expect global CO2 emissions from road freight traffic to more than double by 2050.
  • Improved productivity and advanced technology benefits ITS
    December 13, 2012
    John Horsley will hang up his hat as executive director of AASHTO in February 2013. After 14 years at the helm, he will bow out convinced of the current and future benefits of ITS for US transportation. Alot of exciting career opportunities still await young engineers in US transportation, says John Horsley, outgoing executive director of AASHTO – the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials. Horsley will be dedicating more of his time to matters of ITS after he stands down in Februa