Pembroke, MA - January 2, 2020 – Sunrise Systems Electronics Co., Inc. (Sunrise) and SES America, Inc. (SESA) have merged to form Sunrise SESA Technologies, Inc. The combined business will add to the innovation and support both companies can collectively bring to their customers by helping solve the increasingly complex challenges faced in the transit and transportation industries.

“The combination of Sunrise and SESA completely aligns with our vision of delivering intelligent display systems that improve communication shared on roadways and throughout the transit ecosystem. We understand the current and future needs of the market and the importance of providing real-time intelligence to improve the experience of getting from place to place,” said Zack Farahmand, President and CEO of Sunrise and Managing Director at Axiom Capital.

As I travel the US attending ITS conferences and other industry events, I am often asked a familiar series of questions: What is the future of the DMS industry? Do you think DMS will become obsolete very soon ? The answers to these very good questions are not that obvious. Most people argue that newer technology will eliminate the need for DMS but reality shows a different perspective......  

In most cases, contractors purchase Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) and ITS equipment from different suppliers and vendors for multiple reasons. However, we recently heard feedback from our customers who would prefer a 'bundled package' and essentially a ' one stop shop' to source all their DMS and other ITS equipment. Here are several benefits to this approach…… 

Traffic operations professionals have long implemented Blank Out Signs (BOS) as reliable solutions to improving traffic flow, while increasing traffic safety, especially as attention grabbing warning signals in vulnerable zones or areas of recognized hazard.  Prior blank out sign  blogs have discussed merits of Blank Out Sign usage and applications. Given the nationally recognized need and value of blank out signs with repeated year after year growth in applied use, How do state and local governments monitor as well as control, remotely installed BOS?  Ease of use, and low cost software is available for any number of blank out signs, regardless of message or use, via cloud based software.

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We have created this additional reference to follow our last blog, defining the right size of dynamic message signs In most cases, DMS users already know what they want to display and what messages or graphics will be needed in order to do so. Today, most DMS are full matrix, making it very difficult to determine how many lines and characters a DMS is capable of displaying. This blog helps answer these questions and provides a 4 step procedure to help choose the right dimension of the display area, in addition to some tips like what fonts to use.

In the past, we’ve blogged the proper use and application of Variable Speed Limit Signs on U.S. highways as it pertains to use relative to either traffic or weather conditions. Highlighted were typical designs and regulations with options regulatory agencies employ in color and size of the overall sign, both for the static and the LED aspect of the sign. In the majority of applications however, typical 12 or 18” characters employed fall short of MUTCD full compliance.

State DOT highway Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are progressively capitalizing on comprehensive Variable Speed Limit (VSL) designs. As a more advanced and timely safety warning system, changing the speed limit based on weather or traffic conditions in focused locations offers more precise warning to stretches of especially vulnerable roadways. In often non-negotiable winter road conditions, unreliably slippery roadways require more precise, distinctly locational, lower speed limit advisories. Ideal weather conditions of summer, not so much. Variable speed limit systems are continually proven ITS safety devices in such states as New Hampshire, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Utah.  The VSL Subscribers list continues to climb as a cost effective, dynamic messaging system, in particular with rural locations.

VSLs foster opportunity for DOT’s to utilize accurate placement for both regulatory and warning applications. Serving as warning signs with amber colored characters in particularly hazardous locations, the dynamic aspect of posting variable speed limits or for that matter, blanked out signs, creates a positive and engaging interface with the driving public. Applied as a regulatory sign, VSL’s with white characters bring into play stricter standards with law enforcement options.  Excising proper design criteria, these signs can meet MUTCD standards for lettering in sizes 12 to 18 inches.  

Throughout several blogs, we discussed the benefits of Blank Out Signs (BOS) and Lane Control Signs, and compared their technology against Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) and other types of signs. In this blog, we want to discuss the cost benefits of using Blank Out Signs and Lane Control Signs.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 32,000 people are killed and more than 2 million are injured every year from motor vehicle crashes. That works out to roughly 90 deaths each day across the United States - with one third involving drunk driving and almost another third involving speeding. In order to combat such a staggering number of transportation-related casualties, federal and state “Vision Zero” (known in the U.S. as 'Towards Zero Deaths') initiatives are being rolled out to achieve a future where there are no fatalities or serious injuries in road traffic.