Transit industry leaders flock to Papercast e-paper at IT-TRANS24

Transit industry leaders flock to Papercast e-paper at IT-TRANS24

By Cameron Maconie

Reflecting on my experience at IT-TRANS 2024, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and showcase Papercast’s battery and solar powered e-paper passenger information solutions. 

Organised by UITP and Messe Karlsruhe, IT-TRANS is the leading international conference and exhibition focusing on the latest technological innovations for public transport. The event was nothing short of remarkable! Brimming with energy and innovation as 6,500+ public transit leaders explored the latest advancements in technology from 250+ exhibitors from 35 countries.

We showcased our most popular displays for transit applications.

It goes without saying that our stand was absolutely buzzing, with the following highlights gaining the greatest interest:

• ✅ Battery powered e-paper display with integrated, replaceable power module that delivers up to 5 years continued use.
• ✅ Prototype of our new compact solar power module, now possible due to our new e-paper driver board that pushes power efficiency to new heights.
• ✅ A showcase of some of the many brand and colour customised display products we have created on behalf of transit agencies.
• ✅ The recently launched bus stop compact and flag units – also battery powered with up to 5 years continued use.
• ✅ The 28″ bus shelter display which offers a SIGNIFICANTLY more power efficient alternative to LED bus arrival signs.
• ✅ The latest in colour e-paper signage – available in vibrant colours, exceptional readability and energy efficiency.
• ✅ Our new text-to-speech push button which allows visually impaired passengers to hear audio announcements.

Market Update Forum 

In addition to the countless conversations I had with transit leaders on the stand over the 3-days, I also had the privilege of presenting during the Market Update Forum session on ‘Elevating the passenger experience with innovative digital solutions?’

During my presentation – entitled ‘Why e-paper is winning in the world of public transport signage’ I delved into the transformative potential of e-paper technology, unpacking how it compares to traditional public transport signage technologies.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

• Electronic paper (e-paper) technology, like that used in Kindle e-readers, offers low-power consumption compared to traditional LED & LCD displays.
• E-paper displays remain visible in direct sunlight, providing clear readability and versatility, unlike other technologies that may struggle in bright conditions.
• These displays use power only when updating content, resulting in long-lasting operation without frequent charging.
• E-paper’s low power requirements enable deployment in remote areas or locations where traditional power sources are unavailable or costly to install.
• Installation of e-paper displays is straightforward, requiring minimal infrastructure modifications and offering wireless deployment options.
• E-paper technology offers significant cost savings and sustainability benefits, making it an attractive choice for transportation operators aiming to reduce carbon emissions and long-term operational costs.

• Compared to LED displays, e-paper consumes significantly less power, resulting in substantial energy savings and environmental benefits.
• E-paper displays support a variety of content types, including real-time passenger information, schedules, and customisable messaging, enhancing the passenger experience.
• With advancements in colour options and accessibility features, e-paper displays provide versatile and engaging content delivery for passengers.

In summary, e-paper technology represents a sustainable, flexible and cost-effective solution for transportation authorities seeking to embrace innovative digital signage solutions. Its low-power consumption, excellent visibility and customisable features make it the ideal choice for modernising public transport infrastructure and meeting the evolving needs of passengers.

Thank you to everyone that took the time to visit our stand and speak to the team, and to those who attended my presentation. I am looking forward to furthering the many conversations and collaborations.

Papercat will be exhibiting at InnoTrans in Berlin, 24-27th September 2024, I hope to see you there!

Please contact me with you would like to learn more.