Viewing Distance
The maximum distance travelers can identify a message on a DMS is called legibility distance. There are no indications in the MUTCD of how bright the LEDs on a DMS should be, but Daktronics strongly recommends a display brightness of at least 9,200 cd/m². All DMS should have intensity adjustment to optimize legibility in all ambient light levels.
Recommended maximum viewing distances when using nominal 7x5 font.
Viewing Ranges & Speeds
| Character Heights |
6" |
9" |
12" |
18" |
| Viewing Range - Max. |
300'
91.44 m |
450'
137.16 m |
600'
182.88 m |
1100'
335.28 m |
| Viewing Speed - Max. |
15 / 25 mph
24.14 / 40.23 km/h |
15 / 35 mph
24.14 / 56.32 km/h |
15 / 45 mph
24.14 / 72.42 km/h |
35 / 75 mph
24.14 / 120.70 km/h |
Character Sizes
- 6 inch character = 20 mm pixel spacing
- 9 inch character = 34 mm pixel spacing
- 12 inch character = 46 mm pixel spacing
- 18 inch character = 66 mm pixel spacing
Visit the Character Heights page for more information.