The Next Step Toward Pervasive Real Time Information: The MBTA e-Ink Pilot Project

Sarah Anderson

Cambridge Systematics, Vice President

Medford, MA

Problem

• 40 surface Green Line stations (B, C, and E branches) don’t have electrical power

• No real-time information at these stations

• Solar-powered, e-Ink signs being tested as a potential solution

Pilot Project

• Pilot formally ran for six months, between October 2018 and March 2019

• 3 different sign vendors: Mercury Innovations, GDS Displays, Connectpoint

• 18 e-Ink screens of 3 form factors: 13”, Double-stack 13”, 32” Kiosk

• Deployed to five stations on the Green Line D Branch

Challenges

• Sign delivery

• Approval process

• Procurement

• ADA compliance

Impact of 3G Degradation

• Phaseout of 3G service in Boston

• Signs use 3G SIM cards• Misses updates

• Freezes for periods of time

• Consumes battery

• Green Line vehicle tracking used 3G modems

Battery and Solar Availability

Sun Availability Assessment

User Interface

Designing User Interface

Rider Feedback

Usefulness

“The refresh obviously lagged a bit behind the existing LED display, but

the possibility of including so much more info

(presumably at a lower energy footprint) is

awesome.”

“More information is great! I really appreciate the arrival times of trolleys three trains

out.”

“Signs should be placed at stops without current signage like B/C/E branch and key bus routes, I hope that is in the works!”

“This is the most impressive e-ink I've ever

seen. I could have sworn it was paper. Just wow. This probably sounds sarcastic,

but I really mean it.”

“Easy to see sign as you approach station,”

“Should be bigger to grab the eye”

“Entrance to the station is a

good location.”

LegibilityPlacement Accuracy

“I like it. Should have at all street level stops.”

“The locations of some signs make them difficult to read on the eastbound side

Summary and Conclusions

• Phase 2• Upgrade all signs to 4G modems

• Use an app and beacons for audio equivalency

• More comprehensive field testing for screening sign locations and sun accessibility

• Remove dependency on third party API for screen layouts

• Looking for peer agency collaboration. Please contact:• Kevin Mulder (kmulder@MBTA.com)

• Sarah Anderson (sanderson@camsys.com)

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