MTA Implements Digital Notice Boards

The MTA has never been known to be ahead of the curve when it comes to implementing new technology in & around the system. This has not changed although their new implementation could go a long way towards changing that. NY1 first broke the news about the MTA implementing digital notice boards at six stations on the 7 & L lines. Here is their report:

Transit officials are testing a new program to alert subway riders with digital announcement boards in the event of delays.

Straphangers at six stations on the 7 and L lines will see video screens inside token booths as part of a pilot program.

For now, they are only broadcasting public service announcements, but officials say they will provide up-to-the-minute information on service disruptions.

The Station Agent Information Display program, or SAID, cost the MTA $30,000 so far.

Officials at the rail control center will be able to send messages to individual stations, or groups of stations using wireless technology.

“This SAID program is a way to provide better-quality, more timely information to our customers,” said 7 Line Deputy General Manager John Hoban. “It helps our agents to be more involved in the dissemination of information in the stations. And it takes the place of an old tried-and-true technology, which is that grease board behind the agent.”

White boards will remain in the booths for now as a backup.

If the program is deemed a success, it could be expanded elsewhere in the transit system.

I am going to take a wait & see approach before giving the thumbs up or down to these new boards. At the moment as the report stated, they will only deliver PSA’s (public service announcements) that we have either seen or heard thousands of times already. The real test will be when their is some sort of a service diversion or outage due to something unforeseen. Personally I feel they should post service diversions so people know exactly what is happening before they swipe their Metrocard.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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