Travellers on the Greek islands Santorini and Syros are benefiting from real-time passenger information on solar powered e-paper bus stop displays as a result of smart city projects led by local company Amco Inspired Technologies.
 
These projects are part of a wider national strategy to develop intelligent transport systems to handle the increasing demand for travel with sustainable transportation. Both projects were awarded to Amco last year and are expected to make a contribution towards improving the quality of life for residents and visitors.
 
In Santorini – officially Thira – the scope is to develop and operate an intelligent telematics platform for the public bus service. The technology will enable the municipality to optimise route planning and provide passengers with real-time trip related information. Amco is providing a transit management system with automated vehicle location from Slovenian company LIT Transit, and a passenger information system. It encompasses a complete control centre that consolidates information from bus driver consoles to provide real-time passenger information.
 
This live service information is delivered via smart bus stops using UK firm Papercast’s e-paper displays and associated system applications such as a mobile app and web site.
 
In the Syros Ermoupolis municipality, Amco is providing an integrated multi-channel information system for bus transport using similar technology components to Santorini. The public will be able to gain information on public transport routes and the estimated time of arrival at bus stops in real time on Papercast e-paper passenger information displays.
 
The system includes LED and LCD passenger information displays within the city buses showing route itineraries, next stop and journey times. Live information is also available in real time via a smartphone mobile application, SMS and a customised web application. All data will be gathered in the central management platform, featuring functionality that provides remote monitoring and management.
 
“They were initially considering alternative signage technologies, but were more impressed with e-paper technology,” said Iraklis Kitsonas, international sales manager at Amco. “Papercast offers a self-sustainable solution that is completely solar powered and installed off-grid without any power or connectivity requirements. It also performs extremely well as an outside display, with excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Overall, Papercast offers intelligent technology that blends seamlessly with the islands’ idyllic scenery.”
 
Amco provides fare collection and passenger information systems for public transportation as a result of its ability to design, develop, implement and support complete systems from scratch. The company has implemented hundreds of projects for private and public sector enterprises across Greece.
 
Papercast’s cloud-based management system provides simple integration with open data standards, as well as the ability to control all aspects of the display and its content remotely. Transport authorities can now provide live arrivals and other information to passengers at bus stops where previously it would not have been feasible.