Wanco
MUTCD-compliant work zone signs that deploy in minutes
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Your Authorized Wanco Traffic Safety Dealer
Brown Equipment Company is an authorized dealer for the complete line of Wanco traffic safety products. From portable message signs and arrow boards to radar speed trailers and light towers, we provide sales, service, and support for work zone safety equipment built to MUTCD standards.
MUTCD-compliant work zone signs that deploy in minutes
Wanco builds the work-zone signage, message boards, arrow boards, radar speed signs, and traffic-management trailers that meet federal MUTCD and NCHRP 350 standards for temporary traffic control. Forty-plus years of building equipment for state DOTs, county road departments, municipal public works, and the highway contractors that work under them. The equipment line covers every signage category a department needs to mark a work zone, communicate with drivers, and stay compliant in the event a work-zone incident triggers a liability review.
The lineup is organized into four families. Variable Message Signs (VMS) display detour text, lane-closure notices, speed advisories, and event messages on full-matrix LED displays readable in direct sunlight. Arrow Boards (Type A, B, C) meet MUTCD specs for low-speed, mid-speed, and high-speed roads respectively. Radar Speed Signs display driver speed and slow traffic at school zones, residential areas, and high-incident corridors, with data logging on the higher-tier models for traffic-pattern analysis. Portable Traffic Signals provide temporary intersection control for utility cuts and lane closures. All deploy from a trailer-mounted chassis in under 15 minutes by one person without a crane.
Brown Equipment Company is an authorized Wanco dealer for the Midwest. We stock signs, boards, batteries, and replacement LED modules. Factory-trained service across our seven Midwest locations. When a sign goes dark in the field, the same shop that delivered it handles the repair, with quick turnaround on stocked items.
- Founded
- 1984
- Headquarters
- Arvada, CO
- Manufacturer Site
- Visit
- Variable Message Signs, Arrow Boards, Radar Speed Signs, Portable Traffic Signals, all MUTCD compliant
- Full-matrix LED displays readable in direct sunlight, no reflection or wash-out at midday
- Solar and battery power options eliminate generator noise and fuel cost on long deployments
- Trailer-mounted, deploys in under 15 minutes by one person without a crane
- Wireless fleet management on higher-tier units, update and monitor signs from the office
- Authorized dealer with stocked replacement modules and factory-trained service across the Midwest
- Wanco Variable Message Signs (Full-Matrix LED)
- Wanco Arrow Boards (Type A, B, C)
- Wanco Radar Speed Signs and Trailers
- Wanco Portable Traffic Signals
- Wanco Light Towers and Power Solutions
Why Wanco?
Solar-Powered Options
Many Wanco products run on solar power for weeks of autonomous operation, no generators, no fuel costs, no noise in the field.
MUTCD & NTCIP Compliant
Every Wanco sign and arrow board meets federal MUTCD standards and NTCIP protocols for DOT integration and regulatory compliance.
40+ Years of Manufacturing
Built in a 265,000 sq ft facility in Colorado since 1984, Wanco products are engineered for the demanding conditions of roadside work zones.
Local Sales & Support
Brown Equipment provides local inventory, product training, and responsive service support for your entire Wanco fleet.
Every Wanco model we sell
Browse the complete lineup, including inspection, components, and software solutions.
Full-Matrix Message Sign
Full-matrix portable variable message sign with high-intensity LEDs visible in direct sunlight. Solar-powered for weeks of autonomous operation.
Three-Line Message Sign
Character-matrix portable message sign displaying three lines of text. Solar-powered with NTCIP compliance for DOT integration.
Color Message Sign
Full-color variable message sign displaying graphics, text, and images in vivid color. Ideal for events, emergencies, and high-visibility messaging.
Compact Message Sign
Smaller footprint portable message sign for narrow roads, bike lanes, and areas where full-size signs won't fit. Solar-powered with wireless programming.
Full-Size Arrow Board
Full-matrix LED arrow board trailer visible over a mile in direct sunlight. MUTCD-compliant with 15 or 25 lamp configurations and wireless remote control.
Solar Arrow Board
Solar-powered arrow board requiring no generator or external power. Deploys for weeks on a single charge with MUTCD-compliant patterns.
Truck-Mounted Arrow Board
Arrow board designed for permanent truck mounting on maintenance vehicles. Full-matrix LED with wireless control from the cab.
Radar Speed Trailer
Trailer-mounted radar speed display that shows drivers their speed in real time. Collects traffic data for reporting. Solar-powered for set-and-forget deployment.
Pole-Mount Speed Display
Permanent pole-mounted radar speed sign for school zones, neighborhoods, and work zones. Solar option available with Bluetooth data download.
Speed Display with Message Sign
Combined radar speed display and variable message sign on a single trailer. Shows speed and custom messages simultaneously.
Portable Traffic Signal
Portable, solar-powered traffic signal for work zones, detours, and temporary intersections. Wireless synchronization between multiple units.
Automated Flagger Assistance Device
Remote-controlled flagger assistance device that keeps flaggers out of traffic. Displays STOP/SLOW paddles and can be operated from a safe distance.
LED Light Tower
Portable LED light tower illuminating up to 4 acres of work area. Diesel or solar-powered options with telescoping mast up to 30 feet.
Solar Light Tower
Zero-emission solar-powered light tower for environmentally sensitive areas and noise-restricted zones. LED fixtures with autonomous operation.
Compact Light Tower
Compact, towable light tower for smaller work areas and events. LED fixtures with diesel or battery power and easy one-person setup.
Traffic Control Barricade Light
LED barricade lights for channelizing devices and traffic control. Long battery life with high-visibility flash patterns.
Radar Speed Feedback Sign
Permanent-mount radar speed feedback sign for roads, school zones, and neighborhoods. Solar-powered with data collection and Bluetooth download.
Keep Your Wanco Running
We stock OEM parts and our technicians are factory-trained on Wanco equipment.
Wanco: Common Buyer Questions
Answers to the questions municipal fleets and contractors ask most often before specifying Wanco equipment.
- What is a variable message sign and when do I use one?
- A variable message sign (VMS) is a portable, trailer-mounted LED display that shows configurable text and graphics to drivers approaching a work zone, detour, or event. Use it to communicate lane closures, speed advisories, detour routes, event notifications, and emergency messages. Modern full-matrix VMS units are readable in direct sunlight, solar or battery powered, and updatable wirelessly from a phone or laptop. Standard equipment on state DOT, county, and municipal work-zone programs.
- What is the difference between Type A, B, and C arrow boards?
- Type A arrow boards (24 x 48 inches, 15 lamps minimum) are used on low-speed roads under 45 MPH. Type B (30 x 60 inches) suit roads 45-55 MPH. Type C (36 x 72 inches, 25 lamps minimum) are required on highways above 55 MPH. All three must meet MUTCD and NCHRP 350 crash-test standards for work-zone deployment. The type sizing exists because larger arrows are needed at higher approach speeds for the driver to react in time.
- Are radar speed signs effective at slowing traffic?
- Yes. Studies consistently show radar speed signs reduce average vehicle speeds by 5-10 MPH in school zones and residential areas, with compliance improvements lasting months after installation. Solar-powered models with data logging let municipalities track traffic volume and speed patterns to identify problem corridors and measure intervention effectiveness.
- Solar-powered vs. battery-powered, which should I spec?
- Solar-powered signs are ideal for long-term deployments (weeks to months) because they recharge continuously and require minimal site visits. Battery-only signs are lighter, deploy faster, and work well for short-duration events (1-5 days) or shaded locations where solar charging is unreliable. Most modern Wanco units offer hybrid solar / battery configurations that get the benefits of both: solar for the long-term sustain, battery for the cloudy-week buffer.
- What MUTCD requirements apply to my work-zone signage?
- The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifies sign size, placement distance, spacing, retroreflectivity, message format, and crash-test standards for temporary traffic control zones. All portable signs, arrow boards, and channelizing devices must meet current MUTCD standards. Non-compliance is the kind of issue that comes up in a liability review after a work-zone incident, and most departments don't want to test that argument in court. Wanco units are designed and certified to MUTCD.
- What service and parts support does BEC offer for Wanco?
- Authorized dealer with factory-trained service across our seven Midwest locations. Replacement LED modules, batteries, solar panels, and trailer components stock at our service centers. Most stocked items ship same-day upon request from our Indianapolis distribution center, so a sign that goes dark in the field gets the part fast.
Talk to BEC About Wanco
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Prefer to call? (800) 747-2312