The provisions of subchapter II of this chapter shall be applicable to any limited access, state toll road in this State.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code to the contrary, variable message signs (VMS) may not be erected or placed, facing in the same direction of travel, and directed toward and able to be read by travelers along state toll highways, within 1,000 feet of any toll highway listed in subsection (c) of this section, except for those signs installed within the rights-of-way of a toll highway for official Department use.

(b) As used in this section, “variable message sign” (“VMS”) means a sign or portion of a sign on which the message copy includes characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged electronically or mechanically without touching or physically altering the primary surface of the sign. Message copy for a VMS may be changed in the field or from a remote location.

(c) The provisions of this section apply to the following: the portion of State Route 1 running from the point at which it merges with U.S. Route 13 below State Route 71 to the point where it merges with the southbound on-ramp of State Route 9.