
CASE STUDY
SMART Case Study
The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) serves Southeast Michigan, connecting nearly 11 million riders annually to essential destinations through bus routes, ADA Paratransit, and community transit services. With 234 buses on 47 routes, SMART operates seven days a week and partners with local municipalities to improve regional transit. Founded in 1967 and restructured in 1989, SMART is committed to safety, eco-friendly upgrades, and providing efficient, reliable service.
68% reduction in site visits, 40% reduction in downtime, and 60% savings in maintenance costs
About Brasco International
Founded in 1993, Brasco International designs and manufactures high-quality transit shelters, solar-powered solutions, and streetscape furnishings. Based in Madison Heights, MI, Brasco handles all aspects of production in-house, ensuring top quality. Initially focused on copper storefronts, Brasco has evolved into a leading supplier for public transit, offering shelters with features like digital signage, remote monitoring, and LED lighting. Brasco is committed to integrity and exceeding customer expectations, with all products proudly made in the USA and meeting Buy America standards.


The Challenge
SMART needed a solution to manage the solar-powered bus stop shelters provided by Brasco International. These shelters came equipped with solar-powered features like digital e-paper signs, LED lighting, USB charging ports, and security measures. However, managing these systems from a single solar power source was difficult, especially in Detroit’s varying weather conditions. The frequent need for site visits to address operational issues was both costly and time-consuming, adding a burden to SMART’s maintenance efforts.
The Solution
To tackle these challenges, Brasco International integrated Outdoorlink’s Smart Controller into SMART’s solar-powered shelters. This allowed SMART to remotely manage all devices, including lighting, signage, and charging ports. The Outdoorlink Smart Controller enabled SMART to schedule, control, and reboot devices as needed from a central location, significantly reducing the need for in-person site visits. The system also provided instant alerts when issues occurred, allowing real-time troubleshooting and faster responses to keep shelters fully functional.

The Results
SMART experienced substantial improvements after implementing the Outdoorlink Smart Controller across its bus stop shelters:

68% reduction in site visits
The ability to manage devices remotely drastically cut the number of in-person visits needed for maintenance, saving time and resources.

40% reduction in downtime
Real-time monitoring allowed for quick responses to malfunctions, keeping the shelters operational and reducing rider disruptions.

60% savings in maintenance costs
Lower labor and travel expenses contributed to significant savings in maintenance costs.

25% reduction in customer complaints
Shelters stayed well-lit and fully functional, enhancing rider satisfaction and safety.
By streamlining operations and reducing maintenance costs, SMART could focus on providing better service to its riders while maintaining its solar-powered infrastructure more efficiently.