Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has pioneered the trial of a new solar-powered color ePaper display at a bus stop in Little India! This innovative technology aims to solve the long-standing challenge of outdoor display content fading under intense sunlight, improving transit information efficiency through a low-energy solution. Read on to discover how this green technology is transforming the commuting experience — and its impressive real-world performance.

No need to plug in, and clearly visible even under the blazing sun. LTA is currently testing a solar-powered color ePaper display in Little India that operates 24 hours a day and clearly shows bus arrival information even under direct sunlight.

LTA responded to Lianhe Zaobao's inquiry on Wednesday (May 13), stating that it is collaborating with IT services company NCS to test the new display at Bus Stop No. 40019 near Little India MRT Station, running from April through October this year.

The 25.3-inch display uses full-color ePaper technology and is powered by a 12V lithium battery coupled with a solar panel. Its power consumption is far lower than that of conventional electronic screens, and it can continue displaying bus arrival information even at night or during consecutive cloudy days.

NCS noted that in the absence of direct sunlight, the display can operate continuously for up to seven days on a single charge.

Thanks to this design, the display battery only needs to be replaced approximately every four to five years — which not only reduces maintenance requirements but also enhances overall system stability and environmental benefits.

Additionally, since ePaper does not rely on backlighting, the screen content remains sharp and clearly visible even under intense sunlight.

LTA had previously tested similar ePaper technology as early as 2016. However, the ePaper displays at that time were unable to withstand Singapore's harsh outdoor environment — screen content would easily fade and become illegible under the blazing tropical sun.

LTA said that with the continuous advancement of ePaper technology in recent years, this trial will also evaluate the effectiveness of solar and battery systems in supporting low-power display devices, as well as the real-world performance of color ePaper displays in Singapore's outdoor environment.

During the trial period, members of the public can provide feedback via the QR code on the display. LTA said it will take into account factors such as passenger experience and technical feasibility before deciding on the next steps.

Since 2021, LTA has been installing next-generation Passenger Information Display Systems at over 300 high-traffic bus stops across the island.

In addition to displaying upcoming bus numbers, waiting times for each service route, and terminal stations, the displays also provide traffic information such as bus service adjustments, making it easier for passengers to plan their journeys.