Electronic signage

Electronic signage (also called electronic signs or electronic displays) are illuminant advertising media in the signage industry. Major electronic signage include fluorescent signs, HID (high intensity displays), incandescent signs, LED signs, and neon signs. Besides, LED signs and HID are so-called digital signage.

Not to be confused with Variable-message sign.

Status

Electronic signs may be used indoors or outdoors. The display technologies are varied and changing quickly. Because of new display technologies, electronic signs are able to present more clear, colorful, and vivid images. Animated electronic signs gradually replace traditional static signs and increasingly take signage market share.

Average percentage of various signs usage[1]
Type of Signage 2001 2002 2003
Fluorescent 47.3% 46.9% 46.3%
HID (High Intensity Display) 1.9% 2.4% 2.0%
Incandescent 2.0% 1.9% 1.8%
LED 3.9% 6.2% 7.2%
Neon 43.0% 41.3% 41.7%
Others 1.9% 1.2% 0.9%

Regulation (USA)

It is not difficult to have an electronic sign for your business; however, it is not simple to get a permit to install an electronic sign. There are two terms for the advertising industry, off-premises advertising device and on-premises advertising device. Usually, there are different regulatory and zoning set up by different cities for different types of advertising media.

Results of State Statutory Review[2]
Prohibitions on Signs... ...with red, flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, unless it is a public service display ...that are not sufficiently shielded to prevent beams or rays of light from causing a glare or vision impairment that affects driver vision ...that are placed so as to obscure or interfere with traffic control devices ...that are so illuminated as to obscure or interfere with traffic control devices ...located on interstate or primary highway outside of zoning authority of incorporated cities within 500 ft of an interchange or intersection at grade or safety roadside rest area ...other state highway says 300 ft limit ...directional signs may not be located within 200 ft of an interstate, or intersection at grade along the interstate system or other freeway, or within 2,000 ft of a rest or scenic area or parkland ...timing limit
Alabama Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Alaska
Arizona Yes Yes Yes Yes
Arkansas Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
California Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4 sec-message display, 1 sec-message change
Colorado

NOTE: prohibits signs which have a moveable advertising face permitting any change in sign content or message

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Delaware Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Florida Yes Yes 1,500 ft on interstate; 1,000 ft on federal aid primary highway
Georgia

NOTE: prohibits signs with moving orcertain conditions are met

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Message fixed for at least 10 sec, message changed in 3 sec or less, 5,000 ft spacing, default freezing sign if malfunction occurs
Hawaii
Idaho

NOTE: adds in blue lights

 Yes Yes Yes Yes between displays on interstate or primary highway or public/scenic area; 1,000 ft from an interchange or rest area Yes Exposure time is long enough at maximum speed limit for sign message to be readable and comprehensible
Illinois Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Iowa

NOTE: prohibits animated or moving parts in a sign

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Tri-vision signs 4 sec minimum display, 2 sec for transition
Indiana

NOTE: prohibits animated or moving parts

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Kansas Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Kentucky

NOTE: prohibits animation and movement except for movement on and off of the sign

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Total message displayed within 10 sec, with each segment having a display time of 2 sec including change time
Louisiana

NOTE: statute obtained does not have information on restrictions

 Signs must be readily viewed for a time of 5 sec from the roadway at posted speed limit
Maine
Michigan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Massachusetts

NOTE: prohibitions appear to be adopted by reference incorporating federal regulations

 Not more than 3 rotating or alternate messages may be displayed on a sign
Minnesota Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mississippi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes, 350 ft
Missouri Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Montana Yes Yes Yes Yes
New Hampshire

NOTE: statute has no language on any prohibitions or restrictions
Nebraska Yes Yes Yes
Nevada Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Minimum display time of 6 sec, maximum change interval of 3 sec
New Mexico

NOTE: prohibits animation or moving parts

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
New Jersey

NOTE: prohibits animation and moving parts

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Minimum message time of 8 sec, maximum change time of 2 sec
New York

NOTE: prohibits animation or moving parts except for public service announcement

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
North Carolina Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
North Dakota Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ohio

NOTE: no statutory information obtained
Oklahoma Yes Yes Yes
Oregon Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pennsylvania Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rhode Island

NOTE: prohibits animation and moving parts

 Yes Yes Yes, 750 ft Yes, 250 ft
South Carolina Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Viewing time 5 sec from roadside when traveling at speed limit
Tennessee Yes Yes Yes Yes, 1,000 ft Yes, 500 ft Yes
Texas

NOTE: no statutory literature included in file
Vermont
Virginia Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Washington

NOTE: prohibits animation and moving parts

 Yes Yes Yes If sign change exceed 4 sec, turn sign off during change
Washington, DC
West Virginia Yes Yes Yes Yes Change time of 5 sec maximum without written approval
Wisconsin Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wyoming Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Total of 42 states 36 36 15 29 28 21 22

Note: 10 states prohibit animation or moving parts except for public service announcement

See also

References
  1. Signs of the Times
  2. Research Review of Potential Safety Effects of Electronic Billboards on Driver Attention and Distraction - Final Report
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