SYDNEY'S SIGNS GO GREEN
05 Aug 2015
Sydney is leading the way in eco-friendly traffic signs by using the world’s first solar-powered ‘electronic ink’ displays in and around the city.
Leading the way in eco-friendly traffic signs, Sydney is now using the world’s first solar-powered ‘electronic ink’ signs. The signs can be updated at the flick of a switch, so as traffic needs change the signs can change with it. The technology, commonly used for e-books and smartwatches, has endless applications for the transportation sector and beyond.
The technology is created using displays from American company E Ink and software applications from Solvenian company Visionect.
E Ink's e-paper technology is commonly referred to as ‘bistable’ – meaning that the image on an E Ink screen will be retained even when all power sources are removed. In practice, this means that the display is consuming power only when something is changing, significantly reducing power consumption. The technology is also easy to read and has minimal glare as it is not backlit like conventional LCD displays.
The Australian Road and Maritime Services (RMS) have installed displays all over Sydney using this e-paper technology as a way of keeping the public informed in real-time scenarios.
The information displayed on the signs is transmitted by the RMS via the 3G network and can be updated at any time, including for pre-scheduled events. The possibilities for real-time information to be given to the public is also promising.
The new signs are completely solar-powered, meaning the city’s power resources are untouched, and the displays use zero energy when static. They are equipped with lights for night-time usage and are 100% self-sustainable. To further optimise and protect the electronic traffic signs, indicators for location coordinates and tamper attempts are installed, enabling road services to react quickly should any of the signs be damaged.
