Portable message board helps campus safety

One of the newest information resources at SIUC will not only help motorists get around campus, but can also provide reminders about speed limits and other safety information.

Gentle reminder - Department of Public Safety police officer Scott Miller with the solar-powered portable message board that will help provide information to the public as they travel through campus.

A solar-powered portable message board purchased with funds from the University's Parking Division was delivered recently to the Department of Public Safety. The message board runs on both solar and A/C power.

"It's a good information tool for the public," SIUC police officer Scott Miller said.

"This is going to be a big help — mainly for events, but also as a speed safety reminder on campus, for pedestrians, bicyclists, and crosswalk reminders," he said.

The L.E.D. message board features a top-mounted solar panel that not only allows for programmable messages, but includes a variety of graphics to assist motorists, Miller said. The graphics include bicycles, and deer and cattle crossings.

There is also radar that shows motorists their speed when driving on campus; the speed limit is 20 mph. Miller and Public Safety Director Todd D. Sigler said the radar is not for enforcement but as an educational tool to remind motorists the speed limits on campus.

The message board will be a big asset for helping with event traffic on campus, and can be moved to various locations during events, such as move-in days and game days, Miller said.

"We would like to thank the traffic and parking committee for their approval," said Brian B. Mager, parking division director. "It's not just for traffic enforcement. There are a lot of benefits with being able to get people to events more efficiently."

- Pete Rosenbery