NYCDOT Installs Solar-Powered, Real-Time Info Tech

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) together with Telia IoT Edge, Traffic Systems Inc., and Daktronics installed new solar-powered, real-time passenger information (RTPI) signs in the city.

The new displays, which will be installed at Queens Boulevard, use ultra-low-power Etulipa electro wetting e-paper technology from Daktronics that can run on solar power. The two-sided displays are designed to provide real-time bus arrival information to passengers and assist the visually impaired with spoken information. The displays also help maintain clear readability at approximately 80 feet (25 meters), just like the 500 existing AC-powered RTPI signs throughout the five boroughs of NYC that Telia already connects. The battery in the system uses recyclable lithium iron phosphate technology and provides a battery lifetime in excess of 10 years in this application.

Solar-powered signage offers both environmental and cost advantages for cities because they don’t require heavy machinery for excavation to run power cables under the sidewalk, and they are cheaper, faster, and cleaner to install. On top of this, they provide operational cost savings as the solar panel will generate free electricity for decades.

“This is a great progression for our smart information systems, not just in New York, but also in other cities with green ambitions," said Björn Hansen, head of Telia IoT. "We were originally included in New York’s Smart City initiative thanks to the security characteristics of the Telia IoT Edge. It feels great to be able to take the next step together with Traffic Systems Inc., and Daktronics and add renewable energy to our offering.”

This is the first step of Telia, Traffic Systems Inc., and Daktronics' expansion into solar-powered RTPI signs in both the U.S. and Europe.