Use of VMS with Multiple Alerts

[Cindy Neff]

I have a question about using VMS when multiple alerts are activated in the same region.

New York State has 12 alert activation regions. We use variable messages signs for Missing Child Alerts, Missing College Student Alerts, and Missing Vulnerable Adult Alerts when we have known vehicle information. AMBER Alerts go on highway signs even without vehicle info. When we first started using highway signs DOT said that they could only host one alert at a time in a region. Our policy has been to use the signs for the first alert for 8 hours and then change the signs for the second alert for 8 hours and rotate until the alerts have been resolved. Recently, when we had two alerts in the same region, DOT told us they can now alternate the signs, so motorist would encounter a sign with Alert 1 and then the next sign would have Alert 2. We do not think this is good practice because it would confuse the public on the vehicle information. It seems with the read/comprehension rate/ at highway speeds this would add to the confusion, and someone might think they read the first sign wrong, or get the info mixed up.

What is your policy on the use of VMS when there is more than one alert in that region?

Thank you!

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