The world’s first solar powered traffic signs

Sometimes you can spot the best ideas because when you hear them you can’t believe no one invented them before.

Take solar-powered traffic signs. They’re outside all day long, of course it makes sense for them to have a sustainable power source rather than rely on a plug.

So when we saw this new eco-friendly traffic sign that’s hitting the streets in Sydney we just knew it was a great idea. Why wouldn’t Sydney have solar-powered signs helping to manage traffic flow.

The signs can be changed whenever they need to be. It uses a product called “e ink” developed by Visionect. The technology is similar to what you’ll find in a Kindle or ebook, with that electronic sort of paper.

What it means is that updates on traffic can be added instantly. If there’s a road closure perhaps, or congestion on a nearby streets, the sign can be updated quickly and easily. It doesn’t need a man to go out and add another sign. Nor does it need to rely on electricity to power it. It can be done with the click of a few buttons.

The solar-powered signs don’t use any of the city’s resources and when they’re static use no energy at all. The information is zapped through the 3G network and the city can time updates in, if there’s  street festival planned, say.

It’s a thoughtful way using the latest technology and bringing together in a way that makes a product greener and more sustainable while improving city management. It looks better as well, without those drilled on new sections of signs you need or a bright light that can be distracting for drivers.

There’s scope for more across cities as well. Giving real-time information in a sustainable way is something our Smart Cities are looking to do more of. Events happening across the city, for example, could be displayed on signs by the train station or bus stops. Service delays or even signs telling you where the nearest shop or cinema could help making it more intuitive as we move around cities. How about a sign that tells you how long it will take to get to different places in the city from where you are, by foot, bike or car? It’s more interactive and it connects both the city and the people living in it in a more thoughtful way.

Fancy reading some more?