Digital Signage

What Riders Want from Real-Time Signage

Our initial research made clear to us that riders expect the following:

• Accurate, reliable predictions
• Dedicated sources of real-time information—in subway stations, they want these to be available before they pay their fare
• Current trip information, above all else

A focus on accessibility

We’re making our signage as accessible as possible by including including audio-equivalent resources for riders who are blind or have low vision, easy-to-read large text, and consideration of environmental factors, such as viewing distance and lighting.

Download our guidelines for audio- and visual-equivalence on digital signage (PDF, 618 KB)

TID's Digital Signage Projects

We’re installing digital signs inside and outside rapid transit stations, and at bus stops across the MBTA network.

Rapid transit station signage

In 2019, we began piloting solar-powered electronic ink (E Ink) signs at Green Line stops. We’re now scaling up this project to bring E Ink signs to most surface-level stops on the Green Line’s B, C, and E branches.

In 2022, we’ll launch our first customer information displays (CIDs). These side-by-side LCD screens will be dedicated exclusively to real-time information about our subway system and service. Over the next three years, we plan to install CIDs in all our subway stations.

At first, CIDs will display subway alerts about riders’ here-and-now needs, such as delays, disruptions, and out-of-service elevators. Many future uses are under consideration, including these possibilities:

• Visualizing service alerts on a digital line map, to make delays and disruptions easier to understand at a glance
• Displaying the time when service will end and the last train will leave the station

Our research suggests many more useful features. We welcome all rider input, and are doing research to find out which features riders value most.

Bus stop signage

The MBTA serves over 7,500 bus stops across more than 50 cities and towns. Most lack access to electricity. In 2022, we’ll double the size of our ongoing E Ink pilot, and work with municipalities that want to use similar signage of their own.

In 2021, we installed new, large-format digital signs along the center-running bus lane on Columbus Avenue, and plan to do the same on future bus lane projects. These screens include speakers that play an audio message every few minutes.

In 2022, we launched our first interactive Information Kiosk at Maverick Station, as part of a street furniture network across the Greater Boston region. Moving forward, we plan to install a network of digital information kiosks and bus shelters to assist trip making and provide real-time transit information to riders supported by advertising revenue.