Towards the life-cycle of VMS configurations

Variable Message Signs (VMS) are used in today´s traffic control and information systems for information propagation from a higher order control unit to the traffic participant. Such signs can be switched on or off and fed with arbitrary data corresponding to the present traffic situation. As VMS are manifold in size, functionality and means to communicate with them, a certain degree of configurability is needed in order to meet project-specific demands and changing requirements in operation. Configurability has its advantages in offering a certain degree of flexibility. On the other hand additional efforts for documentation and hazards like misconfiguration might emerge. This paper focuses on configurability in the field of VMS. Possible configuration parameters are considered in regards to its importance during a VMS´ life-cycle and the configurations-takeholders´ demands for parameter-manipulation. Afterwards, capabilities for reconfiguration in today´s protocol standards are analyzed and an outlook on future opportunities is given.