Arizona DOT committed to DMS retrofit solutions

In an effort to best utilise funding for dynamic message signs (DMS) scheduled for replacement, Arizona Department of Transportation (AzDOT) embarked on a pilot DMS retrograde refit upgrade from DMS supplier SESA.

September 18, 2015 Read time: 1 min

In an effort to best utilise funding for dynamic message signs (DMS) scheduled for replacement, 6576 Arizona Department of Transportation (AzDOT) embarked on a pilot DMS retrograde refit upgrade from DMS supplier 7846 SES America (SESA).

Following the pilot on a metropolitan area freeway, AzDOT executed another 20 retrofit upgrades based on the quality and performance of the trial project and after realising that cost-savings would result in excess of US$2 million over the original sign replacement plan on the first phase alone, says SESA.

In addition, SESA provides on-site diagnostic support and adaptation to AzDOT hot climate applications and claims the retrofit signs are notably brighter and 8- per cent more energy-efficient than the existing signs.

AzDOT is also replacing another 23 signs eligible for a retrofit upgrade in the Phoenix metro area and a rural sign retrofit begins in October.

Air Quality & Weather Systems

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Arizona Department of Transportation

SES America

Dynamic Message Signs : Don’t replace, refurbish and upgrade

Refurbishing old dynamic message signs can save money and increase technical capabilities as David Crawford discovers. Evidence is growing on both sides of the Atlantic of the scope for retrofitting old or technically out-of-date dynamic message signs (DMS) with new electronic equipment, to save on the costs of installing full-scale replacements. In the last four months of 2014, a number of US states progressed programmes that achieved savings of more than US$1.75 million (€1.56million).