Highway 1

05/06/2026

Wow, has it really been 4 years? 😲🔋
I shared this battery voltage guide four years ago, and it's probably even more relevant today than it was then.
Back then battery-powered TTM equipment was becoming more common. Today, PTLs, VMS, TMVMS, arrow boards, radar signs and other portable devices are everywhere, meaning battery health is now a critical part of keeping equipment operational and safe.
It's also worth remembering that batteries purchased around the time of the original post may now be reaching or exceeding their expected service life. If they haven't been regularly tested and maintained, now is a good time to start checking them before they become a problem.
Preventative maintenance isn't just about reducing breakdowns and repair costs. It also helps prevent equipment failures on site, delays to works, and potential safety incidents.
A quick voltage check and regular battery inspection can go a long way towards avoiding unexpected issues when you need your equipment most.
🔋 Prevention is always easier (and cheaper) than a callout. 🚦😊
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With more and more battery operated TTM devices being used (not to mention cars trucks etc) we should be teaching or passing on some of knowledge.
The best place to start is with the batterys that power them and what actually is a charged or flat 12v

12.6V volts or above - Your battery is healthy and fully charged. No further action is required.
12.5 volts - Your battery is at a healthy state of charge, but we'd recommend re-checking it within a few days to ensure the voltage hasn't dropped any further.
12.1 - 12.4 volts - Your battery is partially discharged and should be recharged as soon as possible, using a suitable battery charger. The lifespan of your battery will be moderately affected if it remains within this voltage range for extended periods of time.
12.0 volts or below - At 12.0 volts your battery is considered to be fully discharged or 'flat' and should be recharged as soon as possible. The lifespan of your battery will be severely affected if it remains within this voltage range for extended periods of time.

05/06/2026

24/04/2026

Another Horizont AWVMS coming together in the workshop 🔧
Full assembly, wiring, and prep all done in-house before it heads out for install.
This is where the difference is made — making sure everything is set up properly, tested, and ready to perform on site.
We don’t just supply these units — we build, configure, and support them based on real-world use in traffic management.
Ready to go out and do the job it’s designed for 👍
If you want gear that’s set up right from day one, get in touch.

22/04/2026

If it can roll, it will — chock it.

Wheel chocks are one of the simplest safety controls on site — yet one of the most overlooked.

We still see too many situations where vehicles are left relying on a handbrake alone. The reality is, braking systems (including air and park brakes) can lose effectiveness or fail — especially on heavy vehicles, trailers, or uneven ground.

Waka Kotahi NZTA also highlights risks with certain setups like cardan shaft (driveline) park brakes, which should not be relied on as the sole restraint.

👉 If there’s any risk of movement — use chocks.

Basic rules:

Slopes → chock the direction of travel
Flat ground → chock both sides
Heavy vehicles / trailers → use multiple chocks

Simple improvements that make a difference:

Add a rope/handle for safer placement and removal
Link chocks together so they can be removed from the side
Keep them accessible so they actually get used

At Highway 1, we supply wheel chocks designed for real-world site conditions — not just minimum compliance or lowest cost.

Because the wrong chock — or a cheap one — can fail when you need it most.

If you’re unsure what setup is right for your fleet or site, get in touch 👍
📞 09 260 4810
📧 [email protected]

07/04/2026

Fuel prices are hitting everyone right now — work, business, and personal. It’s something everyone is feeling, and something we can all relate to.

Like us, many businesses are asking staff to help reduce fuel use — no unnecessary idling, better planning, less wasted travel.

One of the advantages we have as a supplier working across the industry is we get to see it from all sides — crews, management, owners, and even public feedback. And there’s a common theme:

There are real fuel savings sitting there just through better understanding of the gear — how it operates, how it’s installed, and whether the vehicle even needs to be running on site… or maybe it’s just for the A/C 😉

A lot of modern TTM equipment (AWVMS, arrow boards, etc.) is designed to run independently:• Battery banks• Solar (on some units or trucks)• Alternator charging while driving

But we still see plenty of sites where vehicles are left idling “just to be safe” — when the gear may not actually need it.

Worth checking:• How long does your gear run without charging? Is it even connected to the alternator ?• Are the batteries actually holding charge?

Even small changes make a difference.

One person saving a bit of fuel might not seem like much — but across crews, jobs, and companies, it adds up fast. Do it 100 times and it’s real money. If everyone does it, it’s even bigger:
-Less fuel burned
-More efficient jobs
-Better for the environment Saves money for the company (which flows through to jobs, investment, and the wider industry)

Efficient businesses are stronger businesses — and that usually creates more opportunity for everyone.

If you’re not sure — ask the question.

01/04/2026

Ron jumped on a plane to Australia earlier this week — not for a sales trip, but because a customer needed gear and we’d sold out of our Tri Lights.
They needed two sets urgently, so instead of saying “we’re out of stock”, we made a plan and made it happen which of course was an efficient one because thats how we roll :)
While he was there, he also spent time with the Outsource1 team — hands-on training, running through the Tri Light systems, and looking at other products so we’re even better equipped back here.

It’s never just a transaction to us — it’s about solving problems, backing our customers, and doing what needs to be done to keep jobs moving.
Anyone can sell gear. Not everyone goes the extra mile when it actually counts.

30/03/2026

We’ve repurposed one of our older AWVMS units onto a ute as a loan vehicle — this one’s heading down to Wellington.
This customer is waiting on their new units to be built, so rather than leave them short, we’ve put this in to keep things moving in the meantime.
We’re now over 22,557 units worldwide, and this is one of the earliest ones in NZ — still out there doing the job.
Not always about having gear sitting on the shelf — it’s about finding practical solutions when timing doesn’t line up.
Keeps the job running, keeps things compliant, and takes the pressure off while the new units are on the way.
This is how we think and do things differently — backing our partners and customers, not just selling to them.

27/03/2026

Christchurch CNC — up and running

Our new CNC is now installed and already in testing and training — and we’re seeing improved efficiency straight away.

A solid step forward for our in-house capability, giving us better control over quality, turnaround, and custom work.

Highway 1 — building gear that works in the real world.

03/03/2026

FOLLOW-UP POST – CNC INSTALL (CHRISTCHURCH)
Christchurch is levelling up with the new CNC install officially underway — a major upgrade that boosts our in-house manufacturing capacity.
This investment means:
✔️ Faster turnaround on custom work
✔️ More control over quality and consistency
✔️ Expanded capability across plastics, aluminium, and custom components
✔️ More flexibility for urgent and specialised Jobs.
✔️ Less reliance on external suppliers — more done by Highway 1, for Highway 1 customers
For us, this isn’t just a new machine — it’s part of a long-term plan to bring more manufacturing back in-house build smarter, and support our customers with faster, more reliable supply in a tough market.
Our team in Christchurch has been working hard behind the scenes to prep for the install, and we’re excited to unlock what this new capability.
More updates coming as the install progresses.

Highway 1 — building compliant, reliable TTM equipment that works in the real world.