Taipei Tries Out Solar-Powered Bus Displays|全台首座免接電 太陽能公車站牌啟用

Intelligent bus stop displays showing bus waiting times require electricity to function. However, there are locations where electricity might not be available. Earlier this year, the Taipei City Government launched a plan to power displays using solar energy and hand-cranked energy. The first solar-powered display is already operational. It is located in front of the Bureau of Labor Insurance.


This intelligent bus stop display is located at a bus stop in front of the Bureau of Labor Insurance. It doesn't seem any different from other displays, but a closer look reveals the display is only in black and white and the brightness is a lower. This is because the display is powered by solar energy. Earlier this year, the Taipei City Government launched a plan to power displays using solar energy and hand-cranked energy. This is the first display to use solar energy, and in the future solar energy will be combined with hand-cranked energy. This means these displays will no longer need electricity.

It's a bit dimmer. (It's a bit dimmer but can still be clearly viewed.) Yes, yes, it can be clearly viewed.
Some people use their personal electronics while waiting for the bus, and not everyone will want to do this (generate electricity).

The Taipei City Public Transportation Office says for future bus stops with displays powered by solar energy and hand-cranked energy, the energy generated by hand cranks will be stored in batteries so that the displays will still have power when there is no sun. Under normal conditions, full batteries can power the display for 14 days. It also has a management system to take care of the backend and monitor batteries. If a situation arises where the generated energy supply is insufficient, batteries can be replaced with backup batteries within four hours.

People can use the hand cranks to generate energy for the displays, and consult the displays for waiting times. Energy will also be supplied to solar panels.

The Taipei City Government says bus stop displays require electricity. It intends to roll out displays powered by solar energy and hand-cranked energy at 12 bus stops where electricity is not easily available. It will assess the effectiveness before deciding whether to add new locations.