Solar-Powered E Ink Signs

Currently, only 39% of the Green Line stations have signs that display real-time information. This pilot will help us determine whether we can fill that gap using E Ink signs, in addition to testing the logistics (engineering, construction, and sign viability) of deploying them.
 
What we’re doing:

In September 2019, we removed all E Ink signs from the previous pilot to upgrade their modems to 4G before redeploying them.

As of February 2020, we’ve installed 10 signs at 3 stops on the Green Line’s B, C, and E branches:

• Blandford Street
• Washington Square
• Museum of Fine Arts

Many of our bus stops lack the infrastructure and connectivity to support standard real-time information displays. This pilot will measure the cost-effectiveness of deploying E Ink signs at bus stops and demonstrate how real-time predictions can improve awareness and help bus riders navigate the system.
 
What we’re doing:

We’ve installed 18 signs in 6 municipalities in Greater Boston. We’ll work closely with riders and community members to gather feedback on the usefulness of the signs.

• Installed solar-powered E Ink signs on the Green Line D at Beaconsfield, Brookline Village, Newton Highlands, Chestnut Hill, and Reservoir, which have audio announcements to match the information on the signs
• Monitored signs to measure the impact of different environmental conditions
• Surveyed riders on the usefulness and desirability of signs
• Identified challenges for installing and maintaining signs and evaluated our technical needs 

Learn more about how electronic ink works

E Ink signs are a practical solution provided that we scout locations to make sure there’s enough sun exposure. We’re confident that the signs will be able to withstand extreme weather—cold temperatures didn’t seem to affect battery life, and ongoing maintenance is minimal aside from snow removal and cleaning.

The riders who responded to our surveys had positive things to say about the signs, even though they preferred the larger, more familiar countdown clocks. We expected this result because our testing was limited—we could only place signs where accessibility requirements for audio-equivalency were already being met.