RM Online - What you need to know about portable signs

Message signs and arrow boards are relatively new to rental yards. In the past, this type of equipment was almost exclusively found in the traffic safety industry. The whole business of setting up a work zone with barricades, cones, arrow boards and message signs was subcontracted to a traffic-safety-device supplier. Contractors didn't want to be bothered with daily refueling and ongoing maintenance of this equipment.

However, with the advent of solar-powered and solar-assisted arrow boards and message signs, contractors began to purchase and rent this equipment - the fueling nuisance was gone. In addition, departments of transportation now require the use of this equipment on most job sites.

These arrow boards and message signs are capable of operating for extended periods of time without direct sunlight.

Traditionally, changeable message signs were used for highway construction only. Now, rental houses are renting them not only to contractors, but also to municipalities, utilities departments and airports. Usage is no longer tied to the construction season.

Arrow and message boards are required safety equipment on many road-construction projects. In addition, message boards are used for advertising purposes.

A New Jersey restaurant owner uses a CMS (changeable message sign) to advertise his Sunday buffet. A high school rents one for every home football game.

They even can be used inside. Shopping malls use these solar-powered signs inside and out to advertise special events. You'll see them at church bazaars, haunted houses and hayrides at Halloween, county fairs, golf tournaments and balloon fests. Some people even rent them for their children's weddings. The possibilities are endless. Quite simply, they are anywhere the need to convey information exists.

Message boards can be used to display any type of message. Auto dealerships, retail stores and other businesses may want to announce special promotions or new product announcements. Consider these to be prime opportunities.

Solar-powered portable changeable message signs are available in various sizes and models. Also, they are environmentally friendly - there is no noise, no smoke, no pollution and no refueling. There is no dealer prep required. The only maintenance required is periodically checking the fluid level in the batteries and cleaning the solar panels.

Rental yard personnel can program the message before the board goes out or units can be programmed via cellular remote. Full matrix models can display logos, symbols, and moving graphics in addition to one, two or three lines of text. They are especially well-suited for events and advertising purposes.