Television on a stick?

March 2, 2010 at 11:50 am
Filed under Digital design, Signage, Technology

Photo: Fabrizio Constantini, The New York Times

They’ve also been called “weapons of mass distraction,” and many states are beginning to consider restrictions against digital billboards. In Michigan last week, the state legislature held hearings on a two-year moratorium on construction of digital billboards, and Minnesota will soon examine similar legislation. Private groups contend the billboards are major safety hazards, distracting drivers’ attention with their bright lights and moving images.

Interested parties are anxiously awaiting the results of an ongoing Federal Highway Administration study that will be complete this summer. A 2007 study by Virginia Tech concluded the billboards don’t change drivers’ behavior, but many consider its results suspect because the study was funded by the billboard industry.

While only 2,000 of 45,000 billboards in the U.S. are currently digital, the billboard industry sees it as a major growth sector. In years to come, they project digital signs will make up as high as 15% or their total inventory.  –P.M.K.