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WMATA launches real-time information displays

Every 20 seconds to 30 seconds, each individual Transit Screen receives the current arrival times for each transit agency at all stops within walking distance of its location.

May 31, 2013
2 min to read


Transit Screen officially announced the launch of the city's first real-time multimodal display of transportation information, which provides a live, real-time snapshot of all Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Capital BikeShare, Metrobus, Circulator and ART bus transit arrivals at a given location,

Every 20 seconds to 30 seconds, each individual Transit Screen receives the current arrival times for each transit agency at all stops within walking distance of its location. This real-time, reliable information is available through open data sharing from the Washington, D.C. transit agencies. Transit Screen is displayed on a standard monitor, needing only access to Wi-Fi and a power outlet.

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The firm has secured strategic partnerships with BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) like Georgetown, Ballston and the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization. By bringing Transit Screen displays into the communities and business districts, the BIDs hope to bring customers, businesses and residents to the area by promoting the ease of local transportation.

Urban planners in cities and municipalities, such as Falls Church, Va., are adding Transit Screen to future transportation demand management (TDM) plans. The plan is that builders and developers will play a major role in promoting transportation alternatives to decrease the need for SOVs.

Every Transit Screen will have its own customized display that displays options in a logical, memorable, and predictable order. Customizations can also be made to include weather, airport delays, Twitter integration, custom maps and messaging among others.

Transit Screen currently serves the Greater Washington D.C. area, with plans to cover multiple other major North American cities in 2013.

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