CASE STUDY

Orange County Transportation Authority
Case Study

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is a public transportation provider in Orange County, California, committed to delivering safe, efficient, and innovative transit solutions. In 2022, OCTA launched a project to enhance passenger amenities along their new limited-stop “Bravo!” service Route 553 in Santa Ana. This project aimed to improve rider experience by installing solar-powered bus stop lighting and digital e-paper displays.

OCTA Enhances Transit Safety and Efficiency with Outdoorlink Smart Controllers

The Challenge

OCTA needed a reliable and sustainable solution for providing lighting and real-time information to passengers at bus stops along Route 553. The goal was to ensure that bus stops were well-lit for safety and that passengers could access up-to-date transit information. Managing these systems across multiple locations posed a challenge, particularly in maintaining consistent performance and quickly addressing any technical issues that could arise.

The Solution

OCTA selected Urban Solar and Papercast through a competitive procurement process to meet these needs. Urban Solar provided the PV Stop Plus solar-powered lighting, and Papercast supplied 13″ e-paper displays for real-time bus arrival information. Crucially, all solar packages were equipped with the Outdoorlink SL-2-DC Smart Controller, enabling seamless remote lighting and displays management.

The Results

The implementation of Outdoorlink Smart Controllers at 23 locations along Route 553 resulted in significant operational improvements for OCTA

Improved Passenger Safety

The ability to remotely monitor and confirm lighting status ensured that bus stops were consistently well-lit, enhancing safety for riders.

Increased Reliability

Instant notifications and remote reboot capabilities minimized downtime for both lighting and e-paper displays, ensuring continuous service for passengers.

Streamlined Operations

Outdoorlink's management capabilities simplified coordination between OCTA, Urban Solar, and Papercast, allowing for efficient issue resolution.

The Outdoorlink Smart Controller offers several key benefits:

Remote Monitoring and Control

OCTA and Urban Solar could use the Outdoorlink Portal to remotely confirm that solar lighting and e-paper displays were functioning correctly, ensuring that bus stops remained safe and informative for passengers.

Instant Notifications and Rebooting

Outdoorlink provided instant alerts if lights or displays experienced issues, allowing Papercast to quickly remote reboot to restore functionality without the need for on-site intervention.

Efficient Supplier Management

With multiple suppliers involved, Outdoorlink’s ability to control the lights and displays streamlined troubleshooting processes separately ensures that the responsible party can quickly address any issues.

“We have received positive feedback from our customers and OCTA staff on the design and functionality of the devices. We will most likely be purchasing more devices in the future.”

Jeff Tatro, Section Manager, Stops & Zones and Schedule Checking, Orange County Transportation Authority

Integrating Outdoorlink’s Smart Controllers with Urban Solar’s lighting and Papercast’s e-paper displays has significantly enhanced OCTA’s ability to manage and maintain its transit amenities along Route 553. The successful deployment of these technologies demonstrates the value of innovative solutions in improving public transit infrastructure, ensuring safety, and providing a better experience for passengers.