ePaper Bus Stop Sign - Product Story

Starting in 2018, Shanghai introduced intelligent bus stop signs powered by solar energy and equipped with ePaper displays. By the end of 2022, more than 6,000 of these innovative signs had been installed throughout Shanghai's Puxi district, setting a world record for the widespread adoption of ePaper signage in an urban setting. These smart, eco-friendly signs seamlessly blend into the city's landscape and urban design, becoming an integral part of Shanghai's smart travel ecosystem and contributing to the city's vision of a smart city.

The use of solar energy and ePaper in Shanghai's smart bus stop signs can be traced back to the 2010 World Expo when the city underwent urban beautification efforts. Bus stops in downtown Puxi were upgraded with 55-inch LCD information screens, later replaced in larger areas with 32-inch LCDs. However, in 2018, an evaluation of the upgrade project revealed that many bus stops in Puxi lacked electricity connections. The complexities of coordinating with power providers and the high costs of wiring exacerbated traffic congestion in the older parts of Puxi.

After extensive research, Shanghai AOMA decided to adopt ePaper display technology, similar to that found in Amazon's Kindle e-readers, for their bus stop signs. This technology offers ultra-low power consumption and excellent visibility even under bright sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor use. Solar power efficiently meets the ePaper displays' daily electricity needs, making the solution environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.

The ePaper display's reflective properties ensure clear visibility under strong light, avoiding the issues that traditional LCD screens face in intense lighting conditions. Additionally, the ePaper's flexibility and thinness make the outdoor signs more attractive and easier to transport and install.

Starting from May 2018, Shanghai AOMA collaborated with E Ink to construct four bus stops equipped with ePaper displays in the Puxi area, receiving positive feedback from citizens. These smart bus stops with ePaper displays provide passengers with real-time bus route information, arrival times, and weather forecasts while also saving energy and reducing the costs of manually updating bus information.

The ePaper displays' reliability is enhanced through independently developed driving and control systems by Shanghai AOMA. These systems integrate 4G network communication and the characteristics of ePaper, using advanced solar charging and dual battery power supply technology to ensure stable power supply for the ePaper displays. This ensures that the ePaper displays function efficiently even with extremely low power consumption at power-free bus stops.

Due to the demand for new ePaper display bus stop signs, Shanghai AOMA accelerated construction in 2019. They have now installed over 1,800 31.2-inch and over 1,000 13.3-inch new ePaper displays, achieving full coverage of arrival prediction facilities within the operating range of Shanghai Jiushi Bus. This successful project was listed as one of Shanghai Government's 27 Practical Projects in 2020, highlighting the application value and promising prospects of ePaper displays in the public transportation sector.

Shanghai AOMA is a leading company in the domestic ePaper display field and the first to apply this technology to public transportation. Their pioneering efforts resulted in the construction of the first outdoor wide-temperature ePaper bus stop sign, which has been operating stably for over five years. They have also installed over 3,350 large-size e-paper bus stop signs outdoors, making it the largest-scale application of its kind in the world.

In the heart of a world increasingly attuned to our carbon footprint, we're doing our part by joining forces with BIS, powered by the robust support of the e-paper industry alliance. It's no longer just about being an eco-friendly trend; the move toward carbon neutrality is central to building a greener future and keeping pace with a global drive for sustainability.

Recognizing this pivotal shift, Shanghai Aoma Information Technology Services Co., Ltd. has embarked on a journey towards carbon neutrality in our e-paper bus stop operations, echoing the PAS 2060:2018 standards — a world-renowned benchmark in environmental responsibility. This journey was marked by a proud milestone on September 30, 2022, when, after two rigorous rounds of on-site inspections, we were awarded our carbon footprint certificate. This achievement represents a significant stride in our ongoing endeavor to shape a future that’s not just smarter, but also more sustainable.

Shanghai Aoma Information Technology Services Co., Ltd. was founded in 2007 and stands as one of the pioneering intelligent public transportation companies in China. With over 15 years of experience in the public transportation industry, we have been providing informational support for numerous large-scale public transportation events. Our relentless focus has always been on independent research and development of intelligent public transportation products, driving the advancement of industry technology applications and creating a robust ecosystem for intelligent public transportation products.

Our commitment to enhancing bus stop services has led us to develop the green solution of intelligent public transportation information through the fusion of solar energy and ePaper display screens. This achievement is the result of our continuous efforts to elevate the service quality of bus stops. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to upholding the spirit of innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries of e-paper display technology, and providing citizens with even more intelligent, efficient, and convenient public transportation services.