A system for displaying updated traffic information such as parking, detours, road blockage etc. in a given area. The system comprises a network of placards connected to a central station. Each placard has a unique identification within the network. The central station sends a message word to one of more placards and each placard receives and propagates the received message word to adjacent placards in the network in a point-to-multipoint configuration. The message word includes an encoded traffic message that only the designated placards may decode and display. In an embodiment, the encoded message may only be decoded using the unique identification of the designated placards.