FDOT District Six Enhances Road Ranger Safety with Truck-Mounted Changeable Message Boards

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six Transportation Systems Management and Operations Office (TSM&O) is upgrading 12 Road Ranger vehicles with new Truck-Mounted Changeable Message Boards that can display the “MOVE OVER” message. The new boards alert drivers to move over a lane or slow down when approaching an active incident scene to protect first responders and promote safe travel for all highway users in South Florida.

 

The TSM&O Office is retrofitting six pick-up trucks and six tow trucks with the new changeable message boards. The previous arrow boards used standard incandescent light bulb technology and displayed a directional arrow message when activated on the scene. The new boards use light-emitting diode (LED) technology for increased visibility and show the directional arrow as well as the “MOVE OVER” message to display actionable, compliance-driven alerts on the highway. The goal is to provide drivers with an additional layer of real-time traveler information and reinforce the “Move Over Law” to encourage safer behavior near active incident areas.

 

The idea for this deployment is part of the FDOT’s 2026 Target Zero Campaign. The campaign, which aims to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries, aligned with the TSM&O Office’s mission of using innovative strategies and technologies to advance traffic operations in our region.  TSM&O staff worked closely with the Traffic Safety Program during this process. They reviewed several safety enhancement concepts and selected the Truck-Mounted Changeable Message Board technology because of its ability to deliver clear, high‑visibility messaging during active incident operations. The Traffic Safety Program funded and procured the 12 units as part of its campaign budget and the TSM&O Office is completing installation this summer. Future deployment plans for additional Road Ranger and Incident Management vehicles are under consideration.