LIGHT ON THE LINE: FIBRE OPTICS IN VMS

Fibre optic systems have provided innovative visual display solutions for the last 20 years and look set to continue. Therefore, they could help meet the increasing demands on variable message signs (VMS) arising from the development of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) on highways. In a fibre optic display system, one halogen lamp illuminates up to 350 high-quality glass fibre arms, coming together into a matrix on which a full range of symbols can be shown; the system is reliable enough to operate at a mean time between maintenance of 24,000h. Factors affecting the quality of a VMS include light intensity, angular characteristics, contrast, colour, and uniformity. Fibre optic traffic signs can be identified quickly and clearly due to their impressive white displays. With fibre optic VMS, white, red, yellow, green and blue can easily be produced, using filters, to give drivers very readable optimal information in all situations. The fibres retain their exact locations, resist ageing and extreme temperatures, and are easy to replace. For VMS applications, they have many advantages over light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It will be possible to implement other applications with a new generation of long glass fibre light guides; for example, they will be easier and safer to maintain.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/32663949
• Corporate Authors:

  Cap Gemini

  ,    

  PB Farradyne

  444 South Flower Street, Suite 3700
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90071

  iMPath Networks

  ,    

  Georgia Department of Transportation

  One Georgia Center
  600 West Peachtree Street, NW
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30308

  Pantech

  ,    

  System Innovations, Incorporated

  1551 Forbes Street
  Fredericksburg, VA  United States  22405
• Authors:
  • GAYDOUL, E
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 64-6
• Serial:
  • Traffic Technology International
  • Publisher: AutoIntermediates Limited
  • ISSN: 1356-9252
  • Serial URL: http://www.ukipme.com/mag_traffic.htm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Angularity; Color; Contrast; Driver information systems; Durability; Fiber optics; Glass; Halogens; Information display systems; Intelligent transportation systems; Lanterns; Luminous intensity; Mathematical matrices; Quality control; Variable message signs; Visual display units
• Uncontrolled Terms: Quality; Visual display
• ITRD Terms: 5945: Angularity; 8531: Case study; 6784: Colour; 6794: Contrast (visual); 5910: Durability; 6765: Fibre optics; 4547: Glass; 7119: Halogen; 516: Lantern; 505: Light intensity; 6494: Matrix; 9063: Quality; 574: Variable message sign; 8630: Visual display
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00767175
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 6 1999 12:00AM