
CASE STUDY
Union Station Case Study
Washington Union Station, designed by Daniel Burnham and opened in 1907, is a historic landmark that has long served as a vital transportation hub. During its peak in the 1940s, the station saw a daily foot traffic of over 42,000 passengers, but it faced a decline in the post-WWII era. In the 1980s, a $160 million restoration project revitalized the station, preserving its architectural grandeur while adapting it to modern needs. Today, Union Station sees an average daily foot traffic of around 100,000 people, including commuters, travelers, and visitors utilizing Amtrak, commuter trains like MARC and VRE, buses, the DC Metro, and other services. The station has since become a blend of historic significance and functional transit operations, supported by modern technologies like the Outdoorlink Vantage system.
Achieves 100% Uptime with
Outdoorlink Vantage System
The Challenge
As a historic municipal transit center with a complex, multi-level layout and high foot traffic, Union Station required a reliable solution to manage its network of digital billboards and screens used for out-of-home (OOH) advertising. Maintaining uptime and content accuracy was critical, but traditional methods involving frequent on-site visits were costly and impractical. Union Station also needed robust security measures to prevent potential tampering with digital content.


The Solution
Outdoorlink implemented its advanced Vantage system to manage and monitor Union Station’s digital assets, including media players, Wi-Fi routers, and large digital displays. The system provided real-time monitoring and content verification through an optical sensor, ensuring the content displayed matched the intended media input.
The Results
The Vantage system delivered impressive results at Union Station, offering:

100% Uptime for Digital Devices
Continuous monitoring ensured the uninterrupted operation of digital displays, including 26 UHD Smart Signage screens and six large LED screens.

Enhanced Content Accuracy and Proof of Display
The system provided advertisers with verified proof of display, confirming that their content ran on schedule and met high visibility standards.

Reduced Operational Costs and Carbon Footprint
Union Station lowered maintenance expenses and reduced the environmental impact of physical site visits by minimizing the need for on-site troubleshooting.
Key Features of the Vantage System Included:

Real-Time Monitoring and Content Verification
The optical sensor confirms that the displayed content aligns with the media input, ensuring advertising and informational accuracy.

Remote Troubleshooting
Power loss or content misalignment triggers immediate alerts via LTE cellular connection, allowing operators to troubleshoot remotely through the Vantage portal.

Security Measures
The system includes safeguards against unauthorized attempts to display inappropriate content, maintaining security standards for all digital assets.



Key Benefits
Union Station’s successful integration of the Vantage system highlights the balance of historic preservation with modern technological needs. The system enhances operational efficiency and security while delivering high-quality content to millions of visitors each year.

Reliable Real-Time Monitoring
Ensures content accuracy and uninterrupted display for advertising and informational purposes.

Security and Quality Control
Maintains the highest standards of security and quality, protecting against unauthorized tampering of digital content.

Lower Operational Costs and Improved Sustainability
Remote management capabilities reduced the need for frequent on-site interventions, aligning with Union Station’s sustainability goals.