Minneapolis Improving Downtown Experience With Full-Color LED Technology

Navigating downtown Minneapolis recently became safer and more effortless thanks to Daktronics Vanguardreg; Dynamic Message Signs (DMS). The 42 digital signs installed in downtown Minneapolis show text and full-color graphics to guide travelers into and out of the area.

According to Minneapolis Parking Systems Analyst Greg Stumpf, the displays have noticeably decreased traffic congestion around notable venues such as Target Field, the Minneapolis Convention Center and the Downtown Theatre District.

"So far, the plan has worked well as we have strategically placed these signs throughout downtown," said Stumpf. "We have future plans to add additional signs in areas as deemed necessary."

Anticipating the increase in downtown traffic with the opening of Target Field, the City contracted Daktronics to provide the full-color matrix displays to guide motorists into and out of their parking facilities. The convenience and ease-of-use of these DMS are an integral part of the City's traffic management plan for the downtown area.

The City controls all of the Daktronics DMS from a central control station, so as traffic conditions change, the messages on the signs can be changed quickly to maintain traffic flow. The signs can be changed individually or in groups.

Besides the convenience of controlling the displays from a central location, Stumpf also appreciates the user-friendly Vanguard® control software from Daktronics.

"We need to be able to change these messages in a snap, and the Vanguard software allows us to display customized messages very quickly," he said. "By referencing the MUTCD [Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices], we can use the Daktronics control software to create and display our messages on any combination of signs around downtown. The Vanguard software also lets us create and save messages for any traffic scenario you can think of. We need to be ready for anything."

Wi-Fi technology connects several of the full-color VL-3500 model displays to their control system – saving time and money for the City's transportation department. According to Stumpf, the displays with wireless connections change almost as quickly as those connected with the traditional fiber optic cable.

This quick, reliable connectivity is especially important for Target Field, which regularly brings as many as 40,000 people to the downtown area in a matter of hours. Before the venue opened in the spring of 2010, Minneapolis put together the Target Field Traffic Management Action Plan. This innovative plan reduces congestion, improves safety and helps baseball fans find their way to parking facilities.

"We strategically placed some of our displays near the parking ramps and streets around the major venues," said Stumpf. "As soon as a parking ramp fills up or if there is an accident, we can immediately change the signs and route traffic to open parking. Many people might not be comfortable driving in large metro areas like Minneapolis, and these signs allow us to safely guide these people throughout the downtown area and get them to the game on-time."

The full-color LED technology provided by Daktronics allows Minneapolis to communicate effectively with motorists and pedestrians in the downtown area.

"Full-color is simply more in-your-face than monochromatic displays," said Stumpf. "The words 'stop' or 'do not enter' are not nearly as effective without the color red. On that same note, the word 'open' isn't really 'open' without green. Perception of these messages is very important – and we really need to get these messages across to people when they're in a hurry."

In addition to the MUTCD-compliant messages, the City also shows custom graphics and logos for big events which bring traffic to town.

"Minneapolis hosts some very large annual conventions which have their own logos which we show on the displays downtown," said Stumpf. "It's a nice touch to show these graphics because I think it just makes people feel like they're in the right place. We want everyone to feel welcome."

Although the Daktronics Vanguard DMS are especially useful for managing event traffic, they also play an important role in the City's plan to improve the downtown area experience for visitors and businesses.

"We're always looking for ways to improve the way people get around Downtown," said Stumpf. "We have a goal to create more vibrant "main streets" for Minneapolis that showcase what's best about our city. As part of this project, we significantly improved the Downtown traffic flow by converting Hennepin and 1st Avenues from one-way to two-way traffic. As with any major traffic change, this involved a great deal of planning and communication. Our Daktronics displays allow us to let the drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians know what's going on with these streets at any given time. The displays are a great solution for our needs because people can spend less time finding their way to a parking spot and more time enjoying our city."

Equipment Description

VL-3500-24x64-34-RGB-SF
Description: Outdoor Galaxy® display
with Vanguard® Firmware
LEDs: full-color (red, green, and blue)
Pixel rows high: 24
Pixel rows long: 64
Line spacing: 34mm center-to-center
Dimensions: 3'4" H x 7'8" W x 8" D