New Variable-Message Signs to provide real-time updates and improve travel efficiency
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San Diego – Today, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) announced that new state-of-the-art digital boards are being installed along the Trolley’s Orange Line that will provide passengers with important real-time messages about service. The Variable-Message Signs (VMS) keep passengers informed about the next arriving Trolleys, service disruptions, special events and more.
"As part of MTS’s ongoing commitment to enhance the rider experience, we’re ensuring riders have timely, accurate, and easily accessible travel information using the latest technology," said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember, District 3. "This important upgrade reinforces our dedication to providing high-quality public transit service for our community."
The Orange Line VMS Replacement Project will provide greater display flexibility, enabling real-time Trolley arrival updates, delivery of critical passenger notifications, special event information, public service announcements, and more. These improvements will significantly improve the agency’s ability to communicate in real-time with riders.
In total, 78 digital signs will be installed at 19 Trolley stations, spanning from the Arnele Ave. Trolley Station to the Courthouse Trolley Station. The installation at all stations is scheduled to be completed by the end of spring with no impact on Trolley operations.
The transit agency invested $2.3 million on the VMS modernization project which is funded in part by a 2022 Transit and Intercity Rail Program (TIRCP) Award from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). The Green, UC San Diego Blue, and Copper Lines will also get VMS upgrades after the Orange Line is completed.
MTS partnered with Psomas, Global Display Solutions, and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. for the design, procurement, and installation of the signs, respectively. The VMS integrate the latest optical bonding technology. This improvement makes the monitors more robust to withstand the elements and have an improved image quality when exposed to sunlight. Additionally, the updated technology allows for close monitoring of the whole unit as well as individual and crucial components to ensure optimal performance.
MTS also has plans to modernize the Orange Line track infrastructure this year to ensure a smoother and faster ride on its Trolley network. The comprehensive state of good repair project aims to enhance the railroad signaling system between 32nd Street and Massachusetts stations along the Orange Line to increase train speeds, replace and upgrade grade crossing safety equipment, reconstruct three new pedestrian grade crossings in addition to upgrading lighting in MTS parking lots to energy efficient LED systems. More details about other modernization projects will be made available in the coming months.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 92 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 238,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2024, MTS served more than 75 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
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