Skip to main content

'Green' traffic signs

A new solar-powered, wireless automated rotary drum sign system, manufactured by Skyline Products Traffic Division and currently being deployed in Texas, is being hailed as one of the greenest, least expensive, most flexible means of managing traffic flow.
January 30, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A new solar-powered, wireless automated rotary drum sign system, manufactured by 732 Skyline Products Traffic Division and currently being deployed in Texas, is being hailed as one of the greenest, least expensive, most flexible means of managing traffic flow.

This exclusive technology was designed as part of a breakthrough programme by the 375 Texas Department of Transportation and engineers and consultants 731 Walter P Moore to create more efficient travel through the El Paso, Texas metropolitan area during traffic incidents and closures on the interstate. The new signs require no fibre-optic cable, hard-wired communications or power, making it possible to install them just about anywhere.

The Automated Rotary Drum Sign System is claimed to be the only automated diversion sign of its kind. “Most of the time, they display standard guide sign information. When an incident occurs, information is sent wirelessly and the signs are activated. The drums rotate and provide appropriate detour information,” explains Mark Conway, director of ITS, Walter P Moore.

“Eliminating the need to run power to each site, including trenching, conduit, power, labour and continued maintenance can plausibly save departments of transportation and taxpayers everywhere millions of dollars,” says Adam Lyons, regional sales manager at Skyline Products. “At the same time we are increasing the options for traffic diversion and delivering all the benefits of improved traffic flow, such as reduced driver frustration and reduced CO2 emissions.”

Some 94 sign units, with various message configurations, are currently being installed by long-time Skyline partner, Tri-State Electric, along Interstate Highway 10, US 54 and Loop 375 in El Paso, Texas.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • The future looks bright for ITS
    June 4, 2015
    Professor Eric Sampson talks about the past successes of ITS, its potential for the future and the challenges the industry faces. If anybody should know when Intelligent Transport Systems started that person is Professor Eric Sampson, a visiting professor at both Newcastle and London City Universities. Having spent 40 years working for the UK’s Department of Transport and other public administrations, Professor Sampson now supports the European Commission on ITS systems and advises ERTICO ITS-Europe and ITS
  • Dynalectric to modify traffic signals in LA
    April 19, 2012
    Emcor Group’s Dynalectric Los Angeles subsidiary has been awarded contracts by the City of Los Angeles, California, to upgrade and modify the existing traffic signal equipment in the Wilmington and Canoga Park districts of Los Angeles, as part of the city’s new automated traffic surveillance and control system. The company will be responsible for the replacement of all of the signal controllers for both districts, as well as related installation of conduit, fibre optic cables, video cameras and poles, pavem
  • Data updates get the flexible treatment with the Bluemac x7
    June 7, 2018
    Bluemac Analytic’s latest platform, the x7, will log vehicle and multimodal performance data across any combination of Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi. This flexibility means the user gets the most matches and detailed data enabling new usage scenarios, says the company. Bluemac says that the x7 ensures industry-leading security for both device access and communications. Data is protected using an on-device rotating-key hash of citizen and encryption.
  • DMS provides Colorado Springs with up to date traffic information
    November 6, 2013
    To meet its goal of ensuring traffic safety and efficiency by providing accurate up to date traffic information, the City of Colorado Springs in the US has ordered 35 full colour dynamic message signs (DMS) to be installed on public right of ways throughout the city. The signs, supplied by Skyline Products, utilise a Kynar 500 coated aluminium mask over polycarbonate glazing for a 20mm pixel pitch. The red, green and blue LEDs in the pixels are vertically aligned to maximise the cone of legibility withou