Why is it that gas stations still advertise the price of gasoline with physical numbers instead of digital or otherwise computer controlled signs? Seems like the latter would be much easier.
I actually saw one of these the other days. I thought it was a great idea too, but then I thought that the LEDs(on during the day time as well) electricity cost might be a factor. Even if there is a cost savings it would take a while to recoup it after installing an new display system.
A new station here put up an electronic sign for the price, and it spent its first six months not working correctly. I don’t drive by there much anymore, so I don’t know if they got the problems worked out or not. But that would seem like one issue, at least. Sure, you’re looking at a bit of labour time when you change prices, but you can be assured that your lo-tech sign will work.
You do see large electric (electronic?) signs at major truckstops on busy interstates. But these things have got to be damned expensive. For the corner gas station, low-tech would seem to be much more appropriate.
Speaking as someone who has changed those signs quite a few times, it’s generally not a big deal–depending on how high the sign is, of course, and other things like how windy it is. Generally, there won’t be a price change any more than once a week, and often you can use one of the old numbers in the new price. This is one of those times where low-tech works just fine, so there’s no real need to go with a more sophisticated system for most places.