Variable Message Signs

Variable Message Signs — also called Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) — are the real-time communication backbone of modern highway operations, warning drivers of incidents, closures, and travel conditions. Road Safety Systems provides the structural and civil infrastructure for VMS installations across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland: sign structure fabrication and erection, concrete foundations, and power and communication conduit. We partner with ITS integrators who provide and install the electronic sign units and software.

What We Install

**VMS Sign Structures**: The structural support that holds a VMS unit above the roadway. VMS units are significantly heavier than standard sign panels, requiring structures engineered for both dead load and wind-on-sign aerodynamic loads.

**Foundations**: Drilled shaft foundations for VMS structures are sized larger than standard sign structure foundations due to the increased loads, with heavy reinforcing steel cages and precision anchor bolt templates.

**Power and Communication Infrastructure**: VMS units require electrical power and communication links. We install the civil infrastructure — power conduit, communication conduit, pull boxes, and equipment cabinet pads.

ITS Integrator Coordination

We are the structural and civil contractor, not the ITS integrator. The electronic VMS units, controllers, software, and communication systems are provided and installed by the ITS integrator, and we coordinate closely to ensure our infrastructure matches their equipment requirements.

Sequencing Civil Work Ahead of Equipment Installation

VMS projects typically require our structural and civil scope to be substantially complete before the ITS integrator can mobilize to install and commission the electronic equipment. That makes early coordination on structure dimensions, anchor bolt patterns, conduit routing, and cabinet pad locations especially important — a mismatch discovered after our work is complete is far more disruptive to the project schedule than one caught during design review.