Traffic Safety
Protect Your Crews. Control Traffic. Stay MUTCD Compliant.
Every time your crew steps into a work zone, they're exposed. The right traffic management equipment keeps workers safe, keeps traffic moving, and keeps your department compliant with federal MUTCD standards. Whether it's a highway lane closure, a utility dig, or a community event, you need signs and signals that deploy fast, communicate clearly, and hold up to daily use.
Sound Familiar?
- Your flagger standing 10 feet from 55 MPH traffic for an 8-hour shift on a resurfacing project
- MUTCD compliance requirements for signage, spacing, and visibility
- Water main break at 6 AM on a state highway, and you need lane closures set up in 20 minutes, not 2 hours
- Message signs that are hard to read in daylight or bad weather
- Three active work zones across town, one sign goes dark, and nobody knows until a resident calls to complain
- School zones and special events needing temporary traffic calming
Equipment That Delivers
- Full-matrix LED variable message signs readable in direct sunlight
- Arrow boards (Type A, B, and C) meeting all MUTCD and NCHRP 350 standards
- Portable traffic signals for temporary intersection control
- Solar-powered and battery-powered options with no generator needed on site
- Wireless fleet management to monitor and update signs remotely
- Trailer-mounted arrow boards and message signs one person can deploy in under 15 minutes with no crew, no crane, no CDL
We stock signs, boards, and parts locally. If something breaks in the field, you get a replacement fast, not a backorder.
Traffic Safety Products
Not sure which traffic safety equipment fits your operation? Consider your typical job scope, crew size, and budget. Our equipment consultants can help you match the right machine to your specific applications.
Talk to a SpecialistMessage Signs
4 products from 1 brand
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.
Arrow Boards
3 products from 1 brand
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.
Light Towers
3 products from 1 brand
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 Signals
2 products from 1 brand
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.
Intercom Systems
1 product from 1 brand
Attachments
Organized by type. Drill into any item for specs, applications, and pricing.
Speed Displays
3 options
LED Flares
3 options
Warning Lights & Accessories
2 options
Accessories
1 option
Wireless Headsets
1 option
Wired Headsets
1 option
Specialty Headsets
1 option
Side-by-side: which traffic safety equipment fits your operation?
| Equipment Line | Brand | Type | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrow Board Trailer | Wanco | Arrow Board | Full-matrix LED, visible in direct sunlight |
| Portable Message Sign | Wanco | Variable Message Sign | Full-matrix LED display |
| Radar Speed Trailer | Wanco | Speed Display | Real-time speed display, reduces speeds 10-20% |
| Smart Flare | Pi-Lit | LED Road Flare System | Sequential lighting patterns, visible 1+ mile |
| Liberator Wireless | SetCom | Communication Headset | Wireless crew communication |
Full-matrix LED, visible in direct sunlight
Full-matrix LED display
Real-time speed display, reduces speeds 10-20%
Sequential lighting patterns, visible 1+ mile
Wireless crew communication
Describe Your Problem. We'll Match the Equipment.
Tell us what you're dealing with: pipe size, job conditions, crew size, budget. We'll recommend specific equipment. We can also demo on your site so you see results before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a variable message sign (VMS)?
A variable message sign is a portable, trailer-mounted LED display used to communicate traffic information, detour instructions, speed warnings, and event notifications to drivers. Modern full-matrix VMS units offer high-resolution displays readable in direct sunlight, solar or battery power, and wireless remote programming from a phone or laptop.
How much does a portable message sign cost?
Portable trailer-mounted variable message signs range from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on display size, resolution (character vs. full-matrix), and power source. Arrow boards range from $3,000 to $10,000. Radar speed signs start around $3,000–$8,000. Brown Equipment Company stocks Wanco signs and boards for fast delivery.
What is the difference between Type A, B, and C arrow boards?
Type A arrow boards (24x48 inches, 15 lamps minimum) are used on low-speed roads under 45 MPH. Type B boards (30x60 inches) suit roads 45–55 MPH. Type C boards (36x72 inches, 25 lamps minimum) are required on highways above 55 MPH. All types must meet MUTCD and NCHRP 350 crash-test standards for work zone deployment.
Are radar speed signs effective at slowing traffic?
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 areas and measure effectiveness.
What MUTCD requirements apply to work zone signage?
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifies sign size, placement distance, spacing, retroreflectivity, and message standards for temporary traffic control zones. All portable signs, arrow boards, and channelizing devices must meet current MUTCD standards. Non-compliance can create liability exposure in the event of a work zone accident.
Solar-powered vs. battery-powered message signs: which is better?
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. Many modern units offer hybrid solar-battery configurations.
Ready to Find Your Traffic Safety Solution?
Get pricing, schedule a demo, or talk to a specialist. We cover Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
