Arrow board or message board: which does your job need?
September 18, 2026 · B&F Traffic Control
Arrow boards and message boards look similar from a distance, but they answer different questions for drivers.
Arrow boards: which way to go
An arrow board gives drivers direction at the start of a lane closure: move left, move right, or caution. It belongs at the taper, where traffic has to change lanes.
Message boards: what's ahead
A programmable message board tells drivers something specific before they reach the work: a closure date, a detour, an alternate route. It goes well upstream, where drivers can still choose.
Often both
Busy roads and long closures often use both: a message board well ahead to warn and inform, then an arrow board at the taper. We'll recommend what your plan calls for, and you can rent either on its own.
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