Portable Changeable Message Sign Handbook \u2013 PCMS

Federal Highway Administration2003PDFTech ReportOpiela, Kenneth S.United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Turner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterU.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration, Research, Development, and Technology. Turner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterUnited StatesGuidelinesHandbooksHighway traffic controlPortable equipmentTraffic control devicesTraffic crashesVariable message signsWork zonesHighwaysTraffic controlOperations and Traffic ManagementFHWA-RD-03-066A portable changeable message sign (PCMS) is a traffic control device that is capable of displaying a variety of messages to inform motorists of unusual driving conditions. This capability is achieved through elements on the face of the sign that can be activated to form letters or symbols. The message is limited by the size of the sign (usually three lines with eight characters per line). A PCMS is housed on a trailer or on a truck bed and can be deployed quickly for meeting the temporary requirements frequently found in work zones or accident areas. The purpose of this handbook is to present basic guidelines for the use of PCMSs. This handbook presents information on the PCMS and is intended to illustrate the principles of proper PCMS use.113