Sydney becomes first city to use electronic paper for city traffic signs with the help of E-Ink and Visionect. (via Visionect)
Have you ever wondered if there was a better way to update traffic signs? (Traditional street signs not blowing your hair back?) Australian urban planners had the same question, and opted to use the same technology e-readers use to create traffic signs that are easy-to-read, solar-powered and easily updatable – no screwdrivers required.
image: Visionect
The Sydney Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) agency decided it was spending too much on sign replacements and updates and decided there was a better way. The RMS called upon Visionect, a Slovenia-based tech company specializing in electronic paper signage, to see if city streets could benefit from electronic signs, as easily updatable as New York City’s Times Square ads.
Visionect and E-Ink came together to create traffic signs that featured solar panels, glare-resistant screens and even nightlights for easier reading. Since E-Ink is the same company upon which Nook, Kindle and Sony rely upon for their e-reader technology, Sydney placed its vision in good hands. Now Sydney can save time and money with electronic-paper signs that are updatable for special events and more with the touch of a button. The signs are also theft-proof, as they feature GPS tracking and tamper-proof technology.
Visionect at work (image: Visionect)
The new initiative will likely take off in other major cities, as the amount of resources dedicated to traffic signage is steep. According to Visionect, Los Angeles spends $9.5 million each year on temporary parking restriction signs, and its likely not alone. Although the initial price of switching to e-paper may be steep, it’s nothing in comparison to what cities everywhere spend on similar projects.
Now, decorating your room in stolen street signs will have a whole new look. (psa… don’t steal street signs)
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