A pilot program, led by ENGIE, has been completed after testing solar-powered digital signs at bus stops in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
The LED solar-powered digital signs were deployed in partnership with the Réseau de Transport de la Capitale (RTC), Quebec city’s public transit agency. The signs can be quickly deployed and easily installed on an existing pole or shelter at bus stops.
Improving Passenger Experience
The main innovations in this pilot were the audio announcements built into the signs to inform visually impaired people paired with compliancy with disability requirements.
The Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI) signs utilize GPS tracking technology called Nomade Realtime, which provides riders with wait-time information for city buses and projects this data onto the signs.
Solar-powered and sustainability
With the new solar-powered LED technology, information displays can gather enough energy to power the signs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even under harsh weather. A unit was installed all winter at the RTC’s office and lasted throughout the season. The digital sign has been now installed at one of the RTC’s bus stop.
In addition, ENGIE landed a contract for the turnkey supply and installation of up to 80 solar-powered digital signs for the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais (STO), in Gatineau, Quebec. The contract also includes all engineering, civil work and maintenance.
The signs are part of the STO’s initiative to improve customer communications and real-time arrival information, and will inform riders about arrival times, delays and detours. To inform visually impaired riders, vocal announcements will also be broadcast by the signs in stations.
