1. DESCRIPTION. This Item consists of furnishing and installing a solar powered trailer mounted portable changeable message sign (PCMS) with remote communications and video capability. The portable changeable message sign shall be used in conjunction with other traffic signs and devices in accordance with the plans, project specifications, and as directed by the Engineer. 2. GENERAL: The contractor shall furnish a working solar powered portable changeable message sign. All items that are required to provide an operational PCMS shall be supplied by the contractor whether listed above or not. The contractor shall field verify PCMS locations with the engineer. The sign must be designed in accordance with all applicable Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requirements as well as evaluated by the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) for field performance (check www.ntpep.org for details). 2.1 Sign The sign shall be mounted on a trailer with a telescoping lift system. The sign face shall utilize amber Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology which shall provide uniform lighting over the entire sign face. The LED brightness must be automatically adjusted to accommodate for prevailing ambient lighting conditions. The electrical system shall include adequate solar panels and batteries to power the sign and when required the wireless communications and the camera. All internally illuminated portions of the sign shall be amber in color. All other illuminated surfaces meant for message display shall be fluorescent yellow. All other surfaces on the front panel shall be flat black in color. The PCMS shall consist of three separate lines. Each line shall consist of eight characters. Each character shall nominally be 18 inches in height. The width shall be adequate to meet the following legibility requirements. Each character shall be a 5 x 7 LED module or hybrid LED disk. The sign shall be clearly visible under all conditions and all lanes of travel from a distance of 1000 feet perpendicular to the sign center. Characters shall be separated at a distance such that the legibility requirements are maintained. Determination of legibility distance shall rest solely with the Engineer; however, the contractor shall be responsible for maintaining this minimum legibility throughout the entire project. 2.2 Maintenance The PCMS shall be stored in an approved secure storage area when not in use. The contractor shall be required to perform all maintenance operations recommended by the manufacturer and keep adequate records of such operations. The sign and unit shall be kept clean and in good repair at all times.
