Reflective LCD Signs for Public Transportation

In the past, signs at a bus stop or train station were primarily how information was communicated. Passengers relied on multiple signs posted throughout to get an idea about routes or arrival/departure times. This method is somewhat inexpensive, but it also included several limitations. The most obvious is the fixed still image, which can only contain a set amount of information and therefore only keeps a viewer engaged for a limited amount of time. The next involves the lifespan of the individual signs. Though versatile, paper isn’t known to be the strongest of materials. Even when it is enclosed, it is damaged easily by moisture, UV light, and even vandalism. It requires somebody to be physically present and to manually update it as the need arises. This additional work costs time, money, and labor, but more importantly, it is never finished. Fortunately, transportation centers have found that most of these problems are remedied by incorporating large format digital displays.

To be fair, there are challenges with any product and with implementing new ideas. Sure, some extreme conditions threaten to reduce the lifespan of any display, but there is a single, universal challenge that plagues digital displays in particular. It is not as uncommon as torrential rains or bitter sub-zero temperatures. Instead, it is arguably the most useful resource we have and though it acts to interfere with many display technologies, it can be found in plenty every day: direct sunlight. Bright ambient light prevents viewers from seeing images on digital displays clearly. Perhaps you’ve noticed that the screen on your phone is hard to read on a sunny day or that your TV appears dimmer when all the lights are on. This is because light acts to block itself. The more light there is, the less ability we have to distinguish it. Just as printed signs can lose color over time due to UV radiation, digital displays as well are subject to degradation. High brightness units, for example, attempt to blast through direct sunlight in an effort to “outshine” the sun somehow. This works only if the display is capable of attaining brightness levels exceeding 2000 nits or more (on average). It also brings concerns as to how much energy is being used and how much radiation is hitting the viewers’ eyes. This “hot and heavy” approach does aim to improve sunlight readability, but it requires a high cost in terms of energy consumption and decreased lifespan. Besides, few advertisers want to pay for ads on signs that have poor visibility.

As LCD technology advances, the concept of smart cities is not just a dream of the future, but one that is being implemented in our current society, where an emphasis on creating convenience and engagement is key to success. Commercial brands, advertisers, and even public service officials are bound to increase their use of technology to connect with the people they serve with relevant and up-to-date information. Printed signage, which previously was useful, is no longer adequate to handle these needs. This is why digital sign usage in transportation settings, especially in urban areas, is trending upward. The global urban population is projected to reach 10 billion by the end of this century. Nearly 70% of the world’s population is estimated to be urban by 2050. That math is staggering, but simple: the number of opportunities for digital signage in transportation will continue to rise and transportation centers must evolve with the advancement of its passengers.

At SVD, our outdoor displays are designed to meet all of these challenges and help support the growing demand for digital signage. We invite you to contact us using the below form, or give us a call at +1 (224) 268-3343 to see how we can achieve just that!