The signs are already up at a few of the busiest stations, like 13th Street and Watt/I-80. They're being installed at additional stations in the coming weeks … and they'll be at more than 20 by April. Roger Thorn is RT's Information Technology chief. He says right now, the signs only display simple marketing messages and the time of day.
Thorn: "We hope to start displaying our operational data, such as the next arriving train, based on schedule, as well as any service delays or disruptions, in January."
By this spring, officials hope they can use their trains' GPS units to display real-time arrival and delay information. He says that's what passengers want to know more than anything else. And advertising?
Thorn: "The technology certainly gives us the capability of doing that."
Thorn says RT officials have discussed the possibility of placing ads on the signs - but haven't made any decisions. Funding for the signs comes from a state grant.
