Solar, Wind & Mains Powered RTI Units for East Ayrshire

Self Sufficient and Energy Efficient

Working in association with East Ayrshire Council and intelligent transport products provider Vix ACIS, The Horizon Group was awarded the contract to provide a unique anti-graffiti bus stop pole. This project then led to the development of, and manufacture of, a battery or mains-powered real time information display system that utilised solar and wind power.

Making Savings, Maintaining Reliability

With a requirement to consider the environmental impact of all Council projects, the Horizon Group set about developing a robust metal fabricated unit that could withstand the rigours of day to day use as well as withstanding the extreme elements throughout the Scottish winter months. With its strong, but easy to access and install, base unit the core requirements of versatility and strength.

This led to the system offering three ways of charging the battery that would supply power to the RTI screens.

Solar Power

Using a well tried and tested turbine system we were able to utilise wind power to ensure that batteries were topped up when reduced hours of sunlight affected the effectiveness of the solar panels. Its furling tail system works to slow down the turbine in wind speeds over 12.5m/s (35mph) ensuring safety and allows the unit to capture substantial Ah.

Wind Power

A 40W solar panel was installed along with solar charge controller to protect the battery from overcharging. The panel was attached via a custom built bracket that allowed the panel to be positioned south facing at an angle that would best catch sunlight throughout the year.

Trickle Charge Mains Power

Finally, to ensure that the units were always operating at maximum capacity, mains powered energy was trickled charged to the batteries to ensure that, regardless of the weather, the RTI was always operational.

Limiting the Impact of Vandalism

One of the key challenges faced by any provider of transport information systems is that of graffiti and vandalism. With this in mind, the Horizon Group was commissioned to see how we could help lessen, in particular, the impact of graffiti. Traditional square or round bus stop poles are easier to apply marker pen and spray paint to and reduce the life cycle of valuable assets.

Anti-graffiti Solutions

To counter the problem of graffiti, the Horizon Group designed a PVC castellated sleeve that could be retro-fitted over existing posts to ensure as cost effective a solution as possible. The castleated face makes it far more difficult to apply marker pen and spray paint meaning that the desired message is not overtly visible.

Versatile Solution for Old & New

As well as the PVC option, an aluminium option was also produced to add yet further strength and longevity to the item. For those requiring a completely new pole, a thicker aluminum option was also developed giving a range of options to choose from.

Perfect Compatibility

Where the Real Time Information Units were not being installed, the new pole offered perfect compatibility with the range of high quality, cost effective, Timetable cases.

The anti-graffiti poles were designed specifically to also allow a timetable case to be attached without any visible brackets. Again, this reduces the opportunity for vandalism and goes some way to extending the life cycle of the timetable case making it a more cost effective solution.