The HANKUN HK-PTMS-CS-1821-24-A is a mini, trailer-mounted variable message sign (VMS) with a 72 × 42 amber full-matrix display on a 1530 × 880 mm active display area. Character height reaches 149.33 mm (5.88 in) on the 5 × 7 character matrix, near-field text and graphic symbols are both supported, and a self-sustaining solar array keeps the unit running at remote roadside locations.
Mini Amber Full-Matrix Trailer VMS
Model HK-PTMS-CS-1821-24-A Mini Amber Trailer-Mounted
| Active Display Area | Max Character Height | Pixel Structure | Display Colour | Cabinet Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1530 × 880 mm / 60.24 × 34.65 in | 149.33 mm (5.88 in) with the 5 × 7 matrix | 72 × 42 full-matrix — every pixel individually addressable | Amber; five-colour configuration of the same platform available | 1730 × 1080 mm (depth 200–250 mm) |
The HK-PTMS-CS-1821-24-A is a mini trailer-mounted variable message sign (VMS) with a 72 × 42 amber full-matrix display — full-matrix pixel structure, every pixel individually addressable, per-pixel LED count confirmed per configuration — near-field text and graphic symbols, and a 149.33 mm (5.88 in) character height on a 1530 × 880 mm active display area, powered by a self-sustaining solar array for remote roadside operation.
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The HK-PTMS-CS-1821-24-A is part of the HANKUN variable message sign range, built for road authorities, contractors and rental fleets that need a legible, power-autonomous message sign at the roadside. It is a mini trailer-mounted variable message sign (VMS) with a full-matrix display, and its published figures are taken from the released engineering drawings.
PCMS
In North America this class of equipment is called a portable changeable message sign, or PCMS — which is how this model is specified.
Trailer VMS
In Australia and New Zealand the trailer-mounted version of this equipment is commonly specified as a trailer-mounted VMS board, per AS 4852.2 practice.
Trailer VMS
UK and European road authorities and contractors refer to the trailer-mounted version as a mobile VMS or trailer-mounted VMS in tenders and specifications.
— Core Characteristics
01
Text and graphic symbols on one display. Every model in this range is a full-matrix display — each pixel is individually addressed — so message text, left and right arrows and work-zone warning symbols can all be combined on the same panel. Models differ in pixel matrix, display colour and active display area, not in whether symbols can be shown. Symbol capability is stated as a display capability and is not tied to any compliance claim.
02
149.33 mm (5.88 in) with the 5 × 7 character matrix; character size is set by the message format selected. Character height depends on the character matrix selected, so the two are always published together.
03
72 × 42 pixels, full-matrix pixel structure (every pixel individually addressable); per-pixel LED count confirmed per configuration.
04
1530 × 880 mm (60.24 × 34.65 in) — the illuminated area, stated separately from the cabinet.
05
near-field text and graphics (variable format); character height suits short viewing distances.
06
Amber. A five-colour configuration of the same platform is available; it is linked from this page.
07
Cabinet 1730 × 1080 mm on a 100 mm border basis, depth 200–250 mm. Trailer-mounted with a road-tow configuration.
08
Automatic dimming — display brightness and grey level are adjusted to ambient light conditions; a manual brightness setting is also available. The display therefore draws less power in low light, which extends the working time available from the solar array and battery bank.
09
Powder-coated and oven-baked finish. 2,000 lb (907 kg) capacity; 5-on-4.5 in. bolt-circle idler hub. Double-eye leaf spring group, 1.5 t (3,300 lb) gross capacity. Wheel track 1,800–2,200 mm matched to the active display area. Tires ST205/75 D15. Lifting: electro-hydraulic; manual winch (optional).
10
4G; GPS position reporting. Message management from phone, tablet or PC. Open API and SDK protocol provided, for integration into an existing fleet management platform.
11
This page states what is confirmed and what is not. Confirmed for this model: the 72 × 42 display matrix, the 1530 × 880 mm active display area, the character height of 149.33 mm (5.88 in) and the pixel structure, together with the solar array, battery, chassis and lifting figures. The remaining items are listed as to be confirmed rather than estimated, so nothing on this page is a placeholder value.
12
Every published dimension — including the 72 × 42 matrix and the 1530 × 880 mm (60.24 × 34.65 in) active display area — is taken from the released engineering drawings and is internally re-checkable, so the figures can be quoted in a project specification.
Street works and access restrictions. This model carries near-field text and graphics on a 72 × 42 matrix with 1530 × 880 mm (60.24 × 34.65 in) of active display area at 149.33 mm (5.88 in), and a single amber output, which leaves one instruction with nothing competing against it — the right answer for a street where the whole panel is read at low speed.
Short access messages and closures. A 1730 × 1080 mm cabinet can be positioned where a larger sign would not fit, the 72 × 42 matrix holds the instruction without crowding it, and one colour is enough for an access message.
Works that move along a street. Road-tow trailer mounting with an independent solar array keeps redeployment to a single move, the 72 × 42 matrix keeps the message intact between stops, and a single-colour panel — one layer of information at a time — means the operator is not rebuilding the message at every one.
Immediate warning at short notice. 1530 × 880 mm of display area and a 149.33 mm (5.88 in) character height are set by how close the panel can be placed to the traffic, and the single-colour output keeps that short warning unambiguous.
Footway closures and diversions read at walking pace. The 72 × 42 matrix carries the symbol or the short instruction a footway closure needs, and a single colour keeps a footway notice simple.
Long-term placement at an entrance or gate. The 1730 × 1080 mm cabinet and the 72 × 42 matrix are the two figures to check against the position, and one message colour, which suits sites that change a single instruction rather than a sequence, covers a routine notice.
§ MUTCD Part 6 (Chapter 6F)
§ MUTCD Table 2E-4
US practice sets letter height from the posted approach speed. MUTCD Part 6 (Chapter 6F) gives 18 in (457 mm) as the minimum letter height for a portable changeable message sign and permits shorter letters on low-speed facilities; Table 2E-4 adds that 450 mm (18 in) should be used where speeds are greater than 90 km/h (55 mph), in persistently poor weather, or where the driving task is complex. Messages are limited to two phases, and animation, flashing and scrolling are not used.
§ AS 1742.3:2019
§ State roadworks guidance
AS 1742.3:2019 and the state roadworks guidance size characters to the approach speed, at roughly 120 mm for 60 km/h approaches and 160–200 mm for 80 km/h approaches, with the larger alphabet series applied to high-speed and multi-lane works. The sign face is confirmed with the road authority for each project.
§ NZTA CoP for Temporary Traffic Management
§ Published NZ figures for LED message signs
The NZTA Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management sets a temporary speed limit at least 20 km/h below the normal limit, gated across the carriageway, with repeat signs at 400 m intervals. The published NZ figures for LED message signs set characters at not smaller than 300 mm inside a 50 km/h area and not smaller than 400 mm elsewhere.
§ Traffic Signs Manual Ch. 8, Table A1.2
§ TSRGD 2016
The UK sizes characters by x-height rather than cap height. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 (Table A1.2) runs from 62.5 mm at 30 mph to 200 mm on dual carriageways at the national speed limit, and TSRGD 2016 sets the legal x-height limits at 35 mm to 400 mm, so a cap-height figure has to be converted before it can be placed in that table.
§ EN 12966:2014+A1:2018
EN 12966:2014+A1:2018 classifies a variable message sign on luminance, beam width, colour and luminance ratio, with a temperature class. The class required follows the road type, the viewing geometry and the climate at the site, and it is stated per configuration rather than as a single figure.
The message changes by the hour, from direction to parking to egress, and a pre-set list keeps a 72 × 42 display showing the right line at the right time.
A movable 72 × 42 panel at 149.33 mm (5.88 in) for gate direction, bay allocation and lane status inside a site where no public-road consent is involved.
With no mains and unreliable coverage the board has to keep working unattended, so the 1530 × 880 mm display and the 149.33 mm (5.88 in) characters are chosen for the haul road rather than for a street.
Near-field text and graphics at 149.33 mm (5.88 in) suits street works and access restrictions, where the whole panel is read at low speed from a short distance.
Full-size trailer-mounted boards take up lane width, block traffic and create secondary bottlenecks in dense urban neighbourhoods. The mini amber full-matrix VMS has an ultra-small footprint — a 1730 × 1080 mm cabinet — so it sets up on a narrow kerb, a bike lane or a tight shoulder without standing in an active lane.
Traditional 3-line character-matrix signs cannot adapt to custom symbols or oversized emergency alerts. The amber full-matrix board sets its own layout: text, character size and warning icons are placed on the 72 × 42 grid for immediate recognition.
Moving heavy highway signs needs specialist towing and burns fuel. This trailer runs a 2,000 lb (907 kg) axle and a 1.5 t leaf-spring group on ST205/75 D15 tyres behind a light commercial van, so one operator can move it and set it up.
Local water and electric trenching, street resurfacing and municipal sidewalk closures. The mini portable message board gives real-time detour direction without blocking the traffic lane beside it.
With Doppler radar fitted, the unit runs as a dynamic speed display, showing clear speed advisories to calm traffic around residential streets and school crossings.
A compact message sign in portal-warning position: set before a low-clearance entry, it delivers height advisories, lane closures and parking availability where vertical clearance is restricted.
For sudden road closures, pipe bursts or collisions: the crew tows the unit to the closure point and posts the diversion, so traffic is redirected without waiting for a works programme.
“HANKUN’s mini amber full-matrix VMS has been an absolute game-changer for our inner-city road maintenance crew. Its tiny footprint lets us position it in tight alleyways and busy intersections without blocking traffic. The full-matrix amber display is crystal clear even in bright sunlight, and towing it with our standard utility van is effortless.”
“As a traffic equipment rental supplier, we needed a portable variable message sign that combines high legibility with minimal maintenance. HANKUN delivered superior quality at an unbeatable variable message signs price. The solar battery performance has been flawless, and the full-matrix display gives our clients the exact text and graphic flexibility they need.”
One matrix · layout follows the message
72 × 42 matrix→near-field layout→149.33 mm
149.33 mm→fixed 5 × 7→no taller matrix
Character height and message layout are the same decision, and this platform answers it with its matrix rather than with a menu: a 72 × 42 grid laid out for near-field text and graphics, giving 149.33 mm (5.88 in) with the 5 × 7 character matrix. No taller character matrix is offered on this platform, so the character height stays where it is instead of being traded against the number of lines. That is the deliberate answer for a board whose message format is set by the site rather than by a menu of options.
Full-matrix · every pixel addressed
full-matrix→per-pixel addressable
→LED count per configuration→one layer, amber
The pixel structure is published as full-matrix pixel structure (every pixel individually addressable), per-pixel LED count confirmed per configuration. That is what lets a 149.33 mm (5.88 in) character be assembled from a character matrix rather than drawn as a single line of block letters, because the pixels are large enough to build a character without crowding the strokes at this height.
Power on board · site off the brief
Solar + battery→no generator
no cabling→towable 1730 × 1080 mm
The self-powered platform means a street with no convenient supply is still a workable site, and the design pressure moves to footprint: a 1730 × 1080 mm cabinet that stands where the works are rather than where the power is.
North AmericaAustralia / New ZealandUK / EuropeOther
Long-duration highway work zoneShort-term / incident responseSpecial eventsFixed facility (port, airport, utility)
Arrows (left / right)Arrows plus other symbols (work-zone triangle, speed roundel, etc.)
Amber — this modelWe need five-colour
Answered the four? Send them with your enquiry.
We reply with the configuration that matches your market, duty and message set — the amber model on this page, or the five-colour configuration of the same display if a colour hierarchy is needed.
Colour branch
Identical display geometry, only the colour configuration changes.
This is a colour choice, not a selection branch: it does not change resolution, character size or message format.
Mounting branch
The same display class in the other mounting configuration.
Trailer-mounted suits long-duration deployment and towing; truck-mounted suits vehicle-integrated operation.
If the viewing distance or the message volume is beyond what a 1530 × 880 mm active display area can serve, the HK-PTMS-CS-0810-37-A is the next step up in the amber trailer-mounted range, with a 56 × 30 matrix and a 1840 × 960 mm active display area.
If the sign can be placed closer to the traffic, the HK-PTMS-CS-1207-44-A covers the same message format at a smaller footprint, with a 48 × 28 matrix and a 1364 × 792 mm active display area.
If a trailer is not practical, the HK-TMVMS-1618-14-A is the truck-mounted alternative in the same size class: vehicle mounting with power taken from the vehicle.
Between two sizes? Send the viewing distance and the message set.
We confirm the model against your site geometry — or point you to the next size up before you commit.
The HK-PTMS-CS-1821-24-A is one of 19 catalogued models — 15 of them published and available for specification — and it is the 6th by active display area among the published models. Within the mini amber trailer group it is the 2nd of 7. It carries a 72 × 42 pixel matrix — 72 pixels across and 42 down — over 1530 × 880 mm (60.24 × 34.65 in) of active display area, with a character height of 149.33 mm (5.88 in).
Those five figures are the whole basis on which this model is chosen: the rest of the range differs in matrix, colour and display area, not in what a full-matrix display can do.
catalogued models
in the HANKUN PCMS range
published & available
for specification
by active display area
among published models
within the mini amber trailer group
Published range · by active display area6 / 15
This model sits in the upper middle of the published range — the units above it step up in matrix and display area.
Mini amber trailer group2 / 7
Second of its own group — one larger mini amber trailer configuration sits above it.
Need a different position in the range? Tell us the viewing distance.
We place your requirement on the same scale and name the model — this one, a step up, or a step down.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | HK-PTMS-CS-1821-24-A |
| Mounting | Trailer-mounted (road tow) |
| Display colour | Amber |
| Active display area | 1530 × 880 mm (60.24 × 34.65 in) |
| Cabinet dimensions | 1730 × 1080 mm (100 mm border basis; depth 200–250 mm) |
| Display matrix | 72 × 42 pixels | full-matrix pixel structure (every pixel individually addressable); per-pixel LED count confirmed per configuration |
| LEDs per pixel | Confirmed per configuration (full-matrix structure) |
| Message format | near-field text and graphics (variable format); character height suits short viewing distances |
| Character height — standard matrix | 149.33 mm (5.88 in) with the 5 × 7 character matrix |
| Character height — other formats | set by the selected message format; no taller character matrix is offered on this model |
| Compliance path | MUTCD configuration options · North AmericaEN 12966 compatible configuration · Europe & UKAS 4852.2 configuration options · Australia & New Zealand |
| Still to be confirmed for your configuration | |
| Mast & deployment | Mast type, lift height and deployment method |
| Controller | Controller model and NTCIP 1203 support |
| Ratings & warranty | Wind rating, IP rating, operating temperature range and warranty terms |
| Transport | Complete trailer weight and overall transport dimensions |
| Not published on this page | |
| Not stated | Visual range, luminance value, contrast ratio, dimming levels, autonomy days, wind rating, IP rating, operating temperature range, warranty, complete trailer weight and dimensions, controller model — none of these are estimated. Automatic dimming is published as a display capability; its threshold values and step count are not. |
— System & Operation
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | |
| Solar array | 2 × 360 W (720 W total) |
| Battery | 2 × 250 Ah AGM deep-cycle battery |
| Charge controller | MPPT charge controller, 30–40 A charge current |
| Solar panel mounting | Fixed as standard; tilt-and-rotate mounting (optional) |
| Trailer chassis | |
| Coating | Powder-coated and oven-baked |
| Axle assembly | 2,000 lb (907 kg) capacity; 5-on-4.5 in. bolt-circle idler hub |
| Suspension | Double-eye leaf spring group, 1.5 t (3,300 lb) gross capacity |
| Wheel track | 1,800–2,200 mm (model dependent) |
| Tires | ST205/75 D15 |
| Lifting | Electro-hydraulic; manual winch (optional) |
| Automatic dimming | |
| Ambient light control | Automatic dimming — display brightness and grey level are adjusted to ambient light conditions; a manual brightness setting is also available. |
| Remote operation and integration | |
| Connectivity | 4G; GPS position reporting |
| Operating terminal | Message management from phone, tablet or PC |
| Fleet integration | Open API and SDK protocol provided, for integration into an existing fleet management platform |
| Symbol display | |
| Text + graphic symbols | Text and graphic symbols on one display. Every model in this range is a full-matrix display — each pixel is individually addressed — so message text, left and right arrows and work-zone warning symbols can all be combined on the same panel. Models differ in pixel matrix, display colour and active display area, not in whether symbols can be shown. |
| Options | |
| Vehicle speed radar | Available as a configuration option |
| Solar mounting | Tilt-and-rotate solar panel mounting |
| Lifting | Manual winch lifting |
| Power capacity | Additional solar panel or battery capacity |
| Telemetry | GPS position reporting; 4G remote monitoring and control |
— Compliance & Regional Configuration
MUTCD configuration options; NEMA TS-4 testing available on request.
✓MUTCD
✓NEMA TS-4
EN 12966 compatible configuration (class confirmed per project); CE marking and Declaration of Conformity available.
✓EN 12966
✓CE + DoC
AS 4852.2 configuration options; trailer build to applicable ADR requirements.
✓AS 4852.2
✓ADR
— Procurement Case
01
A 72 × 42 display over 1530 × 880 mm of active display area deploys on a road-tow trailer with its own power, so the site needs no generator and no cabling for the duration of the works.
02
The five published figures for this mini trailer model — 1530 × 880 mm active display area, 149.33 mm (5.88 in) character height, 72 × 42 matrix, amber display colour and a 1730 × 1080 mm cabinet — can be quoted straight into a project specification, because each one is traceable to the engineering record.
03
The amber output carries one message layer on this 72 × 42 display, so a crew is briefed once and there is no colour decision to make in service — and the same-platform options mean one spare-part set and one training path across a mixed fleet.
04
At 1530 × 880 mm this model is the 6th largest active display area among the 15 published models, and the 2nd of 7 in the mini amber trailer group — so it can be placed against the other models on published figures rather than on a sales description.
— Before You Specify
Message Format & Visibility
A Mini Amber Full-Matrix Trailer VMS gives full-matrix layout freedom on a compact board: character size, graphic symbols and line layout are set by the message rather than by a fixed 3-line character frame. On this model the matrix is 72 × 42 with a 149.33 mm (5.88 in) character height at the 5 × 7 character matrix.
This model is offered as a MUTCD configuration option rather than as a blanket certification. MUTCD Part 6 (Chapter 6F) sets 18 in (457 mm) as the minimum letter height for a portable changeable message sign on higher-speed approaches and permits shorter letters on low-speed facilities; at 149.33 mm the model is built for the low-speed end of that range. Conformance is confirmed against the project specification before shipment, and NEMA TS-4 testing is available on request.
One amber output puts one message layer on the panel: there is no colour decision in service and no second colour competing for attention, and a single-colour pixel draws less power than a multi-colour one. That suits an access message or a short instruction read at low speed, which is the duty this 72 × 42 model is sized for.
Field Operation & Integration
The unit carries a 2 × 360 W (720 W total) solar array and a 2 × 250 Ah AGM deep-cycle battery with an MPPT charge controller at 30–40 A, and automatic dimming reduces draw in low light. Array and battery capacity are selected to the insolation profile of the destination market; autonomy days are confirmed per configuration rather than published as a single figure.
The trailer runs a 2,000 lb (907 kg) axle with a 5-on-4.5 in. bolt-circle idler hub, a double-eye leaf spring group rated 1.5 t (3,300 lb) gross, and ST205/75 D15 tyres. Complete trailer weight and overall transport dimensions are confirmed for your build — check them against the towing vehicle before ordering.
Yes — vehicle speed radar is a published option, agreed as a configuration item at ordering. With radar fitted the unit runs as a dynamic speed display, with the threshold set to the posted limit for the site.
Text and graphic symbols are managed from phone, tablet or PC over 4G, with GPS position reporting; an open API and SDK protocol is provided for integration into an existing fleet platform. Controller model and NTCIP 1203 support are confirmed per project.
Applications, Cost & Procurement
Yes. A 1730 × 1080 mm cabinet with a 1530 × 880 mm display face suits a low-clearance shoulder or a portal approach, and the 72 × 42 matrix carries height advisories, lane availability or parking status. Check the mounted height against the clearance at the site — mast type and lift height are confirmed per configuration.
Send the market, the duty and the message set to our sales engineering team for a quotation. Factory-direct pricing is issued per unit and for volume fleet orders against the agreed configuration list; the figure depends on the colour configuration, the options fitted and the compliance documents required.
HANKUN publishes the figures on this page from released engineering drawings, offers MUTCD, EN 12966 and AS 4852.2 configuration paths on the same platform, and supports the unit from a North America after-sales base. Enclosure protection rating, wind rating and warranty terms are confirmed per configuration and stated on the order.
A question not listed here? Send it with your project location — the answer comes back with the configuration sheet.
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