The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is testing two solar-powered kiosks, which provide customers with real-time train, subway and bus arrival information without connecting to the electrical grid.
Metro-North Railroad and New York City Transit will also join MTA in testing the performance and reliability of kiosks that use MTA Subway Time and MTA Bus Time to provide Metro-North customers with real-time arrival estimates for connecting subways and buses at Woodlawn station.
The kiosks will also display upcoming scheduled train arrivals, as well as real-time estimates for arrivals later this year.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said: "These new kiosks utilise energy efficient technology to deliver much-needed information to straphangers, and represent another step the State is taking to make our transit system more convenient for New Yorkers.
"We will continue to make smart and innovative investments in technology that help empower the MTA’s eight million daily riders."
The kiosks feature photovoltaic panels and consume 70W hours a day, and the screens are refreshed every 15 seconds. They do not require any external wiring for installation and operation.
Metro-North president Joseph Giulietti said: "These kiosks have the potential for deployment in any above-ground station where running conduits for electrical and data connectivity pose a challenge."
Image: Metro-North’s Woodlawn station. Photo: courtesy of Jim Henderson.
