I'm looking for an electrically operated sign (batteries or mains)
which can be mounted outside, on a brick wall facing traffic entering
my driveway. It should be capable of measuring the speed of an
oncoming vehicle. If the vehicle approaches at a speed above say, 5
mph, the sign should light up and display a polite message reminding
the driver to reduce their speed.

Never actually seen anything like this but I imagine it could be done
using perhaps a matrix of LED lamps to display the message, and some
kind of ultrasonic sensor to measure speed.. question is, who makes
this sort of thing & where can I order one. Don't mind where it comes
from as long as I can order something & have it delivered to a UK
address.

Thanks :)

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 29 Oct 2003 07:50 PST

Hi Gan,

Orval Snyder from Northwest Power CO answered my email.

The unit is an RU2-100 12" Trunk mount and the price in the U.S. is 
$2420.00 (including shipping).

Unfortunately, they can’t sell outside the U.S.
 
He pointed me to the manufacturer’s website and said that possibly
they would be able to sell you the device.
http://www.ru2systems.com/

RU2 Fast 100
http://www.ru2systems.com/products.htm

Speed ranges 5 to 200 MPH

Here is the brochure.
http://www.ru2systems.com/brochures/100%20brochure.pdf

I’ll send them an email and ask if they can ship this product to the
UK.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 03 Nov 2003 09:09 PST

Hi Gan,

The RU2 Fast 100 can be shipped to the UK.


Price           $1,595.00
Shipping to UK    $140.00
Total           $1,735.00

"Pricing is in US dollars and does not include any import duties, VAT,
etc.  Shipping doies include packing and insurance.  We can have it
out in about 3 to 4 weeks; we are awaiting delivery of the cases from
our supplier and may have to back order that part."

Violator Alert - Red LED "SLOW" Message - 12" Display

"The display is equipped with a flashing "SLOW" message made of
high intensity red LED's . The VA is activated by a vehicle
exceeding a speed selected (in 1 MPH/KPH increments) by the
operator. Once a reading from the radar registers above the
selected speed, the violation lights are activated. The violator will
see the flashing "SLOW" message on the display with no speed
displayed. If the violator slows, the flashing message will stop
and their speed is displayed again. If slowing continues until a
speed is reached that is less than the set-point, the display will
continue to show the speed being registered. If the violator
maintains a speed higher than the setting for a time, the flashing
message will come back on. If the violator increases speed while
above the violation setting the message will come back on
immediately."

It appears that the Violator Alert would cost an extra $250.
 
If you have any questions you may email Mr. Brown directly.
 
Kenneth C. Brown 
Sales & Marketing Manager 
PO Box 6793 
Apache Junction, AZ 85278 
[P] 480-503-0011 
[F] 480-982-5237 
ken@ru2systems.com

If this product meets your needs, please let me know and  I'll post it
as the official answer.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

Hi Gan, 
 
The RU2 Fast 100 can be shipped to the UK. 
 
 
Price           $1,595.00 
Shipping to UK    $140.00 
Total           $1,735.00 
 
"Pricing is in US dollars and does not include any import duties, VAT,
etc.  Shipping doies include packing and insurance.  We can have it
out in about 3 to 4 weeks; we are awaiting delivery of the cases from
our supplier and may have to back order that part."
 
Violator Alert - Red LED "SLOW" Message - 12" Display 
 
"The display is equipped with a flashing "SLOW" message made of 
high intensity red LED's . The VA is activated by a vehicle 
exceeding a speed selected (in 1 MPH/KPH increments) by the 
operator. Once a reading from the radar registers above the 
selected speed, the violation lights are activated. The violator will 
see the flashing "SLOW" message on the display with no speed 
displayed. If the violator slows, the flashing message will stop 
and their speed is displayed again. If slowing continues until a 
speed is reached that is less than the set-point, the display will 
continue to show the speed being registered. If the violator 
maintains a speed higher than the setting for a time, the flashing 
message will come back on. If the violator increases speed while 
above the violation setting the message will come back on 
immediately." 
 
It appears that the Violator Alert would cost an extra $250. 
  
If you have any questions you may email Mr. Brown directly. 
  
Kenneth C. Brown  
Sales & Marketing Manager  
PO Box 6793  
Apache Junction, AZ 85278  
[P] 480-503-0011  
[F] 480-982-5237  
ken@ru2systems.com 

Best regards,
Bobbie7

Thanks for sticking with this Bobbie7 :) you found pretty much exactly
the device I had imagined.

Hi Gan!

I’ve found a number of signs but they don’t seem to be for home use.

Speed Signs, Radar Speed Signs
http://www.nwpwr.com/speed_signs.htm

Solar Powered Speed Awareness Displays
http://www.nwpwr.com/speed_awareness.htm

SMART VMS
http://www.kustomsignals.com/product_body3.asp?action=features&product_id=41&cat_id=6&strpagename=

Portable Changeable Message Sign
http://www.amsig.com/CMSGP_232T.htm

Bobbie7

Hi Bobbie7 :)

The "Quick and easy, pack and go, speed awareness in a Pouch" device
at the bottom of
http://www.nwpwr.com/speed_signs.htm 
looks like it might do the trick..

I could certainly provide a 12 volt feed for it & make a weatherproof
case of some description.

Interested in the "violator alert settings which prompt speeders to
slow down" - what message would this display & can the 'trigger speed'
be set at a specific low speed (something like 5 mph, certainly no
faster than say 10 - 12 mph. The intended use is to gently remind
drivers on our shared private roadway of the existing 5mph speed
restriction, intended to protect local pets & kids. We're on a small
estate of houses fed by a single road.)

Looking to detect an approaching vehicle fairly close - they would
initially appear in front of the device from around a bend about 25-30
metres away, then subsequently approach the device in a straight line.
Would this scenario fall into the device's capability?

Finally, if the device seems suitable, would the company ship to a
private individual at a UK address, and what would the total cost be
for purchase & shipping; what forms of payment would be acceptable.

Realise this further information would involve further investigations
by email or 'phone, if the unit appeared to be suitable & you were
able to help chase this info down to a successful conclusion I would
add $15 via the tip feature.

Gan,

I'll send out an email and let you know as soon as possible.

--Bobbie7

Great, thanks very much for your help :)

Hi Gan!

I just wanted to let you know that I sent out a second e-mail and
I still haven’t heard from the company.

--Bobbie7

I can tell you that there's one that displays your speed and 'slow
down' or something similar in the village of Wetwang in East
Yorkshire.

You might try writing to the local authority enquiring who installed
it for them.

Gan,

HTS states that they are able to make custom-made roading & traffic
signs.

“HTS has the practical knowledge and design expertise to meet the
needs of customers in need of virtually any size, shape or location of
electronic sign.

Many of its products are therefore “one-offs”, resulting from
enquirers who found there was nowhere else they could go for the
result being sought.

Examples are many, and include a “Truck Stop” weighbridge sign
integrated with electronic weight readings; a marina sign with
automatic high and low tide times for boaties; and a
windspeed/temperature sign for a ski area access road.

Whatever your requirement for an electronic sign, HTS can deliver the
solution.”
http://www.htsgroup.com/products.php?prID=14

Here is the Enquiry Form where you may describe your specific
requirements.
http://www.htsgroup.com/contact.php?from=Custom%20Signs


Bobbie7

Hi Gan - I'm not very hopeful about you being able to order a small
sign for private use, but if you try a UK only search for "vehicle
activated signs", you will find British companies offering to make
signs to order - e.g.
http://www.varitext.co.uk/vatcs.htm

://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22vehicle+activated+sign+OR+signs%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Good luck - Leli

Thank you very much for the five star rating and generous tip!
--Bobbie7