SG launches VMS-P, a palletised variable message sign built without a trailer

SG, the solar safety and security company serving construction, highways, rail and infrastructure across the UK, today announced the launch of VMS-P: a palletised variable message sign that removes the trailer that has, until now, come as standard with every VMS unit.

VMS-P is delivered by pallet lifting trailer, forklift or hiab instead, mounted on a standard pallet format rather than a towable chassis. It is designed for use alongside SG's SOSEC pallet-lifting trailer, allowing one trailer to deliver and reposition multiple signs across a single site or route. The standard ‘A size’ VMS is rated for speed zones up to 50mph, making it suited to inner-city and urban roadworks rather than only strategic road network deployments.

"A VMS has come on a trailer for decades, simply because that's how it had always been done, not because it needed one," said Anna Blake, Commercial Director, SG. "Taking the trailer away isn't just a neater way to deploy a sign - it removes a whole category of maintenance and security risk that was never really necessary in the first place. That's the standard we think urban roadworks signage should be held to now." VMS-P draws on technology developed by BartCo, the variable message sign manufacturer united with SG under the Torquay Group of companies.

The two businesses have worked together on the unit's development, bringing BartCo’s signage engineering together with SG's approach to deployment and site security in the UK and Ireland.

Specification and security

VMS-P carries the same full-colour LED matrix display as a standard VMS - amber, red, green, blue and white, with full graphics and pictogram support - behind a nonglare, UV-resistant polycarbonate screen. With no wheels, no brakes, no lightboard or hitch, the risk of theft is all but eliminated vs. a conventional trailer-mounted sign; GPS tracking and padlock covers adds a further layer of security. VMS fleet owners can now manage a smaller number of pallet lifting trailers for their signage fleet and massively cut the maintenance and downtime costs. Messages are set and managed remotely by Windows, Android or iOS app - without a site visit, and run indefinitely under recommended conditions from the onboard solar panels.

A timely gap in the procurement landscape

The launch lands as local authorities and contractors work through National Highways' second Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF2), which covers improvement and renewal schemes on the strategic road network. SDF2's Lot 6, covering traffic management equipment, anti-incursion barriers, speed enforcement, CCTV and road markings - variable message signage isn't named as its own category. With SDF2 running alongside National Highways' upcoming Maintenance & Response 2 (M&R2) framework, MVIS and SG expect bid teams across the sector to be working through where VMS provision fits in the coming months, and see it as an area where the combined businesses are well placed to help.

Applications

Highways - full-colour messaging for lane closures and live carriageway works

Construction - site and diversion messaging for urban construction works, without the need for trailer parking

Events - smaller footprint for temporary messaging on city-centre and event sites

VMS-P is available now for hire or purchase, and will be on display at Highways UK,the NEC, 14–15 October.

Full product details and technical specification are available at https://www.solargates.co.uk/solution/vms-signs/vms-p