Re: Screens savers on message boards?

[Michael <mk@netstra.com.au>]

Hi,

Why not take Melbourne's approach? Melbourne have two line high intensity 
LED displays. An example is below (Set fixed width font)

+------------------------+
| BRADMEADOWS      15    |
| Stopping All Stations  |
+------------------------+

First line shows destination, and time til arrival.
Second line shows stopping conditions, scrolls if it does not fit on the 
one line.

I use broadmeadows as the example above because the whole word does not 
quite fit on the line. I have seen it display 3 different variations, at 
the one station on the broadmeadows line that has this type of display: 
"BRDMEADOWS", "BRADMEADOWS" "BROADMEADOW".

Otherwise this system works perfectly and is located at a lot of premium 
stations.

We also have a help point system /that works/. The unit is a small 
stainless steel box with two buttons, a speaker grille cutout (appears 
vandalproof, splash proof) and a small hole in the top left hand corner.

The red button, calls the closest premium station for emergency assistance. 
(Also video monitored). The green button calls for automatic timetable 
information for the next three trains (after the last train, the recorded 
announcement reads "there are no more trains this evening, please check the 
wall sheet timetable for services tomorrow morning" or similar).

The voice used is realistic enough that when i heard the announcement for 
the first time (was at Reservoir, probably about 2-3 years ago) i thought 
it was a real person. i.e. he does not sound like he has had a lobotomy, 
like the latest CityRail DVA's

As discussed in a previous thread, about the desto's not working properly 
on CityRail trains, once again, Melbourne have done it fine for years. 
Manually, since before the rock, and electronically since the late 70's 
(Hitachi's had desto motors retrofitted to what was then a manual scroll).

As far as passenger information goes, why doesn't CityRail look at the 
options used in Melbourne? We seem to do it a lot better.

Regards
Michael

David said on 29-Sep-1999 in <7srma9$g8m6@xlprod01.westpac.com.au>:

>I agree that people probably dont want to see bouncing balls when they are
>trying to find out about the trains but what about those other indicators
>used at Sutherland/Sydnenham/hurstville which have a scrolling red text 
with
>all the same info as the new etched screen TV models.
>
>did someone decide that we needed all new expensive ways prone to failure
>ways of indicating for trains?
>
>why not leave whats there at the moment (light board) while adding a 
simple
>digital character (like petrol pumps) sign saying "due in XXX mins"
>
>those fools.
>
>
>
>>
>>> 5 - Anyone noticed how the new tv style indicators at Martin place
>already
>>> have significant screen etching particulary on the bondi junction side
>where
>>> the station names dont move (having only been there for a couple of
>months)?
>>> maybe they should use some sort of screensaver.
>>
>>Passengers would prefer to know where the train is going rather than 
watch
>>fireworks or bouncing balls on the screen. :-)
>
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