
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.


