ESBD_483088_1768418828271_02. Specification No. TxDOT 550-14-79 Rev 1-2023.pdf

SPECIFICATION NO.

TXDOT 550-14-79

REVISED: NOVEMBER 2023

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

SIGN, PROGRAMMABLE MESSAGE, VEHICLE MOUNTED

PUBLICATION

This specification is a product of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This specification may not be sold for profit or monetary gain. If this specification is altered in any way, the header, and any and all references to TxDOT must be removed. TxDOT does not assume nor accept any liability when this specification is used in the procurement process by any other entity.

PART I

GENERAL CLAUSES AND CONDITIONS

1. The equipment furnished under this specification shall be the latest improved model in current production, as offered to commercial trade, and shall be of quality workmanship and material. The respondent represents that all equipment offered under this specification shall be new. USED, SHOPWORN, DEMONSTRATOR, PROTOTYPE, REMANUFACTURED, RECONDITIONED, OR DISCONTINUED MODELS ARE NOT

ACCEPTABLE.

2. Respondent should submit with the solicitation the latest printed literature and detailed specifications on equipment the respondent proposes to furnish. This literature is for informational purposes only.

3. The unit shall be completely assembled and adjusted, and all equipment including standard and supplemental equipment shall be installed and the unit made ready for continuous operation upon delivery.

4. All parts not specifically mentioned which are necessary for the unit to be complete and ready for operation or which are normally furnished as standard equipment shall be furnished by the vendor. All parts shall conform in strength, quality and workmanship to the accepted standards of the industry.

5. The unit provided shall meet or exceed all federal and State of Texas safety, health, lighting and noise regulations and standards in effect and applicable to equipment furnished at the time of manufacture.

6. It is the intent of TxDOT to purchase goods, equipment and services having the least adverse environmental impact, within the constraints of statutory purchasing requirements, TxDOT need, availability, and sound economic considerations. Suggested changes and environmental enhancements for possible inclusion in future revisions of this specification are encouraged.

PART II

SPECIFICATIONS

1. SCOPE: This specification describes a three-line or full-matrix programmable message sign with amber or yellow light emitting diode (LED) display panel suitable for mounting on a vehicle. A sign consists of a sign panel, mounting bracket, wiring to connect to vehicle 12VDC battery, handheld controller with suitable in-cab mounting, and any other necessary components to ensure a complete and operational unit is delivered. A sign will be used by TxDOT to alert motorists of current traffic information and highway conditions. A sign furnished to this specification shall meet or exceed the following requirements.

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REVISED: NOVEMBER 2023

EXAMPLES:

American Signal CMS-GP465Y Advantage (Truck Mounted) (Full-Matrix)

K & K Systems VCMD2742158 (Truck Mounted) (Three-Line/Full-Matrix)

Litesys

Wanco, Inc.

LiteReader VCMS 1030F-4 (Truck Mounted) (Three-Line/Full-

Matrix)

WVMB-3LP (Truck Mounted) (Full-Matrix) or TxDOT Approved Equal

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: Any example shown is listed to show type and class of equipment desired.

Respondent is cautioned to read the specification carefully, as there may be special requirements not commonly offered by the manufacturer. DO NOT ASSUME STANDARD EQUIPMENT MEETS ALL OF THE DETAILED

SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS MERELY BECAUSE IT IS LISTED AS AN EXAMPLE. Respondent is cautioned that any unit delivered to the FOB point which does not meet specification in every aspect will not be accepted.

2. TEXAS MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES (TMUTCD): Sign shall meet requirements of

Sections 6F.60 (Portable Changeable Message Signs) and 6F.61 (Arrow Panels) and any other applicable Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Latest Revision, located at:

https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/signs/tmutcd.html

3. SIGN PANEL: Both cabinet type and modular type sign panels are acceptable. Sign shall be weather resistant. Sign face shall be painted with a flat black finish and covered by a see through, non-fading or clouding, scratch resistant polycarbonate lens that can be opened or removed for maintenance. A supplemental lens is not required on boards that are weather resistant by design. Any plastics used shall be UV inhibited.

3.1. DISPLAY

3.1.1. A portable changeable message sign shall be limited to three lines of eight characters per line or should consist of a full matrix display using the latest LED Technology. LEDs amber or yellow in color. Sign shall display two lines of information with a minimum of eight characters per line, each a minimum of 10 inches in height. Sign shall display a flashing arrow, a sequential arrow and a sequential chevron.

3.1.2. Shall be programmable by the operator to link up to three messages in sequence, one screen at a time.

3.1.3. Portable changeable message signs should be visible from 450 feet under both day and night conditions.

Minimum viewing angle shall be 15 degrees on the horizontal.

3.1.4. Flash rate shall be adjustable by the operator. The sign shall be equipped with an auto-dim light sensor that automatically adjusts the display for day and night operation.

3.2. DIMENSIONS

3.2.1. Length shall be from a minimum of 71 inches to a maximum of 90 inches.

3.2.2. Height shall be from a minimum of 32 inches to a maximum of 50 inches.

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REVISED: NOVEMBER 2023

3.2.3. Depth shall not exceed 7.5 inches.

3.3. WEIGHT: The total weight of the sign panel shall not exceed 260 pounds.

3.4. POWER REQUIREMENTS: The sign shall be powered by the 12VDC battery of the vehicle. The maximum average current draw per message shall not exceed five amps.

3.5. TEMPERATURE OPERATING RANGE: Sign shall operate in ambient temperatures ranging between -22 degrees to +160 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. SIGN PANEL MOUNTING: The mounting device shall be designed to mount the sign to the bed of pickups, deploy facing rearward, and stow horizontally over the cab. The mounting device shall be designed to use no more than 4-6 inches of bed space or bed rail and to allow the sign to be easily dismounted and relocated on another vehicle. Mounting hardware shall be provided. Any special tools required for installation shall be furnished by the vendor.

4.1. The panel shall be lockable in an upright rearward-facing position for operation and in a horizontal facedown position when stored. The sign shall withstand road speeds up to 75 mph in the stored position and 40 mph in the deployed position.

4.2. A powered raising and lowering device shall be provided by the manufacturer for mounting inside the cab.

Controls shall allow the operator to raise and lower the sign without leaving the vehicle.

4.3. The sign panel shall be equipped with a power tilt feature to allow the operator to adjust the position of the sign from inside the cab for maximum visibility.

4.4. All electrical wiring shall be insulated and enclosed in a fibrous loom, plastic loom or flexible conduit for protection from external damage and short circuits. Wiring shall be securely fastened at sufficient intervals to prevent sagging and ensure clearance of mechanical parts. A sealed, splice-free modular wiring harness is acceptable. Rubber grommets shall be used wherever wires or the wiring harness passes through metal.

5. CONTROLLER: Shall be weather resistant with a back lit liquid crystal display (LCD). Controller shall be menu driven and show the message on the controller, as it will be displayed on the sign. The controller shall allow a minimum of 48 user programmable messages and a minimum of 24 pre-programmed messages.

6. RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (RFI) SUPPRESSION: The vehicle and all equipment and components mounted to the chassis shall incorporated RF interference suppression so as to provide RF interference immunity to and from land mobile radio transceivers operating in the following bands: High Frequency (2 to 30 MHZ), Low band (30 to

50 MHZ), high band (140 to 174 MHZ), UHF band (440 to 512 MHZ) and the 700/800/900 MHZ band (700 to 975

MHZ) and comply with the following requirements:

6.1. Typical land mobile radio transceivers will utilize a 3dB gain antenna with up to a 125 watt RF power output.

Antennas will be mounted on the roof, front fender, and/or rear fender of the unit.

6.2. VEHICLE COMPONENT RF SUPRESSION: All equipment electronic circuits shall be designed to suppress, bypass or otherwise prevent interference from affecting the radio transceiver. The RF immunity requirement shall apply to all vendor supplied equipment and components thereof including, but not limited to, ignition, AM/FM radio receivers, computers, emission controls, fuel pumps, wiper motors, alternative fuel electronic components, air bag systems, and ABS controllers, etc.

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6.3. VEHICLE COMPONENT RF IMMUNITY: The vehicle electronic equipment including, but not limited to, ignition, AM/FM radio receivers, computers, emission controls, fuel pumps, wiper motors, alternative fuel electronic components, air bag systems, and ABS controller, shall not be adversely affected in operation, safety, or control by radio frequency (RF) energy generated and radiated by the transmitter portion of installed transceivers

(up to 125 watt output).

6.4. When available from the OEM, Dealer shall provide OEM's RFI ordering code designation with their bid response.

6.5. Vendor will be assessed any and all charges associated with the testing and remediation of vehicles which fail to meet RFI requirements at any time during the warranty period.

7. PAINTING: The unit shall be painted with an approved manufacturer's standard lead free paint, except for sign face, glass, rubber and those metallic accessories or fixtures constructed of rust-resistant or plated material not normally painted.

8. MANUAL(S): Equipment shall be delivered with current original manual(s) containing illustrated parts list, operating, calibration, and service instructions in English. The manual(s) shall be as detailed as possible outlining all necessary service and operating instructions for the equipment delivered. Manual(s) shall include necessary warnings and safety precautions. It is requested, but not required, that the manual be printed on recycled paper. In addition to the original manual, vendor may provide an electronic media version of the current original manual.

8.1. Additionally, one set of complete wiring schematics shall be delivered with each unit. All schematics shall be clear, legible and indicate the location of each component.

8.2. The manuals and schematics supplied shall provide complete and comprehensive information on all equipment, equipment components and accessories, as supplied to comply with this specification.

9. MINIMUM LUMINANCE REQUIREMENTS

9.1. The message sign shall meet the following luminance requirements measured at the character level in candela as is published in Report TX-02/4940-2, “Photometric Requirements for Portable Changeable Message Signs”, conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI). The report can be downloaded at:

https://static.tti.tamu.edu/tti.tamu.edu/documents/4940-2.pdf

9.2. Minimum daytime character luminance shall be 1000 cd/m2.

9.3. Minimum nighttime character luminance shall be 600 cd/m2.

9.4. Unit may be tested at the character level using the testing procedure as is published in Report TX-02/4940-2, “Photometric Requirements for Portable Changeable Message Signs”, conducted by TTI. The unit will be rejected without further cause, if the unit fails to pass. Pre-delivery testing requirements will be noted on the solicitation.

9.5. Testing may be performed on any unit delivered at the discretion of TxDOT.

10. SAFETY PLAQUES OR DECALS: Product safety plaques or decals shall be furnished and affixed at the operator's station and at any hazardous area. The safety plaques or decals shall describe the nature of the hazard, level of hazard seriousness, how to avoid the hazard, and the consequence of human interaction with the hazard. Permanent plaques are

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preferred to decals. Type, size and location of product safety plaques or decals shall be in accordance with current ANSI

Z535.4 standard.

11. WARRANTY: The unit shall be warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of not less than 12 months and shall cover 100% parts and labor for the unit. If the manufacturer's standard warranty period exceeds 12 months, then the standard warranty period shall be in effect. The vendor shall furnish the manufacturer's warranty to the receiving district at time of delivery. The vendor shall be ultimately responsible for the warranty. The warranty begins on the date the unit is determined to meet specifications and accepted into TxDOT’s fleet.

12. PARTS AND SERVICE: The manufacturer of the equipment furnished shall have an authorized dealer within the state of Texas or factory-trained personnel available for warranty repairs and the performance of service within 72 hours after notification by TxDOT. The authorized dealer shall have factory-trained personnel available for warranty repairs and the performance of service. The dealer shall also maintain an inventory of high-usage parts and a quick source for low-usage parts.

13. DATA SHEET: Data Sheet should be completed and submitted in duplicate for informational purposes only.

PART III

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

The following optional equipment is not required unless identified on the Invitation for Bid.

1. Option No. 1: Wireless Handheld Terminal – Vehicle Mounted Message Sign shall be equipped with a Wireless

Handheld Terminal to allow for untethered operation of the sign.

2. Option No. 2: Vehicle Radar, K-Band Type – Vehicle Mounted Message Sign shall be equipped with a Vehicle Radar, approach only, to provide the sign with added traffic calming capabilities. The sign shall be equipped with a threshold speed. The threshold speed is the minimum speed at which the operator chooses to display the motorist’s speed. Radar shall detect and the sign shall display speeds from a minimum of ten mph to a maximum of 98 mph in one MPH increments. The sign shall be designed so that an operator-selected message can be displayed when threshold speeds are not attained.

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Specification No. TxDOT 550-14-79 Revised November 2023