Digital signage has been making inroads in nearly every industry, and public transportation has not been left behind. It has brought about the incredible transformation of public spaces while improving the user experience. Digital signage for transit is a massive addition to make the transportation sector smoother and effective than ever before.
Subways, airports, train stations and other mass transportation hubs are now filled with hundreds of people, increasing the need for digital signs to allow users to stay on time and instantly receive crucial information and notifications. This has proved to be an efficient way of facilitating real-time mass communication. So, why is digital signage effective for use in public transportation?
Reasons for using digital signage in public transportation
Reducing perceived wait times
There is nothing as irritating for a traveler as reaching the airport, train station or bus station, and they are welcomed by a security line that stretches around the entire place. When you see that long line, it can mark the start of frustrations that make the whole experience quite awful. It eventually leads to employees and staff having to deal with one or several angry customers. Luckily, digital signage provides an effective solution. With digital signs placed strategically at specific points along the line, you can get your travelers informed about perceived wait times. You can also inform them how long they should wait before it is eventually their time. Such information can go a long way in reducing anger and tempers, ultimately making everyone happy.
GPS digital signage
Combining GPS with digital signage enables travelers to have a real-time location view of the vehicles they have an interest in. They get a clear idea of the time they should expect to get onboard. What’s more, this feature can be a lifesaver if you are new to an area and are trying to navigate in it. Another opportunity here is to show ads to the passengers based on the current geo location of the vehicle.
Facilitating customer engagement
With digital signage, you can create a personalized experience that targets your specific audience. For instance, when you know your customers' destination, you can stream local news and weather updates of the location they are headed to. It enables travelers to learn more about the city and know what to expect upon arrival. It can also provide an exciting platform to run adverts such as the best restaurants and museums popular in that area.
Improved wayfinding
Many travelers have had to deal with over the years trying to know the routes or locations they have not been there before. Luckily, digital signage provides general mapping. With displays set up at stations or virtually at any location where a map is needed can provide crucial information that makes navigation easier. An interactive display provides a perfect solution since a user can examine the features of the map being portrayed.
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Communicating more information
With digital signage, information can be shared and edited quickly and accurately. A digital screen is capable of displaying more information than the traditional board ever could. It is a solution in the transportation sector that provides information about arrival and departure times, delays, cancellations and emergencies in real-time. It becomes convenient to pass all the crucial information whenever it is needed.
Examples of digital signage use in public transportation
Washington Metro Rail System
The Washington Metro Rail System is an excellent example of digital signage at work in public transportation. Digital signage is used to disseminate messages concerning present and upcoming service alterations, to help commuters plan their travel better. Whenever there is any service update, travelers can access it within the shortest time possible. This provides a more comfortable way to navigate outages and service alterations. Any information that travelers can find useful must be displayed at convenient locations to make the transit network effective.
ProRail installed signage in the Netherlands
Digital signage is used in the Netherlands to show travelers the available seats in a train and where to locate embarking points. It is a system that makes rides more comfortable while streamlining the boarding process. The use of on-vehicle sensors is an excellent solution since they gauge how complete a vehicle is and help passengers make informed decisions about boarding a train.
Vancouver’s TransLink Network
One reason public transportation has embraced digital signage is the ability to use it to deliver exciting content. In Vancouver, the system helps deliver news, weather and divert content to passengers as they wait for their ride. When commuters access such information, they stay well-informed and know what to expect whenever they get to their destination. What’s more, quality video content can be used as a welcome diversion for all the passengers on-board or at the subway.
JCDecaux displays in Waterloo station (UK)
Digital signage has been embraced as an excellent tool for advertising, and this example in Waterloo Station is the perfect example. Here, you will find displays that advertise for media and brands to all the passers-by in a captivating manner that can’t be ignored. Digital advertising for transit networks is already a thing, and it allows so many possibilities. As commuters go on their business, they are treated to some eye-catching displays to make their transportation more comfortable. With digital out-of-home, advertisers can reach masses of people without going way out of their way.
Philadelphia’s Suburban Station uses digital signage as a wayfinding solution
There’s a personalized wayfinding display at the intersection that commuters can use to know wherever they are headed to more comfortably. There’s also free Wi-Fi, device charging, and information services that anyone can access using the interactive digital signage kiosks. Since they provide immediately useful information, there’s no longer the need to keep on asking people for directions. This scenario helps take out the confusion from passengers, especially if they are going to a new location with which they are unfamiliar. It is a solution that helps commuters get to their direction safely and more relaxed.
Digital signage for public transport is the way forward and will ultimately change how we do business in the coming years. While improving communication makes schedules and delays more transparent, you can bet that these digital displays will streamline public transportation.
There are massive benefits of incorporating digital signage in transportation, making it a solution to hold on to.
