Managing the mixed-technology transit display estate
The problem is no longer which display to buy. It is how to manage all…
Chadi Farran is the Business Development Manager at Energy International, a transportation systems integrator working across the UAE, GCC and wider MENA region. Energy International has partnered with Papercast on real-time passenger information deployments across bus and marine transport networks, including projects in UAE.
Few places embrace ambition quite like the UAE.
Whether it’s building record-breaking skyscrapers, creating entirely new districts from the desert, pioneering autonomous transport or investing heavily in emerging technologies, the region has earned a reputation for pushing boundaries and turning bold ideas into reality.
That same mentality is helping shape the future of public transport. Across the UAE and wider GCC region, transport authorities are looking beyond simply moving people from A to B and focusing on how technology can create smarter, more connected and more responsive passenger experiences.
In the first article of our Partner Spotlight series, Chadi talks about the trends shaping passenger information across the region, about the trends transforming passenger information, the role of sustainability in transport infrastructure, and why real-time information is becoming an essential part of the modern passenger journey.
The UAE is investing heavily in public transport infrastructure. What are the biggest priorities shaping projects across the region today?
Public transport is evolving incredibly quickly across the UAE and wider GCC region. There is significant investment going into expanding networks, improving connectivity between different modes of transport and creating a better overall passenger experience.
One of the biggest challenges for transport operators is that the region is constantly changing. New developments are being built, services are expanding, major events take place throughout the year, and passenger expectations continue to rise. Transport authorities need systems and infrastructure that can evolve just as quickly.
Ultimately, the goal is to make public transport easier, more convenient and more attractive to use, while ensuring operators can respond quickly when things change.
As networks become larger and more connected, where does passenger information fit into that picture?
It’s becoming absolutely critical.
Passengers expect accurate information when they need it. Whether they’re checking when the next bus will arrive, navigating between different transport modes or responding to a service disruption, access to reliable, real-time information has become an essential part of the journey.
We’re seeing transport authorities place much greater emphasis on digitising information across their networks. It’s no longer enough to provide static schedules or basic arrival information. Operators want the ability to communicate dynamically with passengers and provide updates instantly when circumstances change.
There’s also a growing focus on consistency. Whether someone is travelling by bus, metro or marine transport, authorities want information presented in a standardised way and delivered through connected systems.
The UAE has a reputation for embracing new technologies. Do you see that mindset reflected in transport projects?
Absolutely.
One thing that stands out about this region is that transport authorities genuinely want to lead. When new technologies become available, they’re often keen to understand how they can be used to improve services and enhance the passenger experience.
That creates exciting opportunities for organisations like ours because we’re constantly looking for innovative solutions that can help our customers achieve those goals.
In some markets, new technologies can spend years being discussed or trialled. Here, there’s a real willingness to move from concept to implementation and learn through experience. That’s one of the reasons it’s such an exciting place to work in transportation.
Energy International has been involved in some of the region’s earliest large-scale e-paper deployments. What attracted operators to the technology and how has that evolved?
One of the first major deployments we delivered with Papercast was for Expo 2020 Dubai, where solar-powered e-paper displays were installed across the transport network.
What attracted operators initially was the simplicity of the solution. The displays require very little power, which removes many of the infrastructure challenges associated with traditional passenger information systems.
You don’t need new power connections, extensive civil works or complex approvals. That makes deployments easier, faster and more cost effective.
The technology has also proven particularly well suited to the local environment. Temperatures in the region can be extremely high and displays are often exposed to direct sunlight for long periods.E-paper performs very well in those conditions and has demonstrated strong reliability in the field.
Most importantly, the success of those early deployments created confidence. What began as a relatively small deployment has expanded significantly, with over 400 Papercast displays now operating across Dubai’s wider public transport network.
What role has the Papercast management system played in that growth?
The displays are only part of the story.
Today, we’re managing close to 1,000 displays across Dubai through the Papercast Content Management System. What’s particularly valuable is that the platform isn’t limited to e-paper displays. It also allows us to manage LCD displays and other technologies through a single platform.
That’s important because transport operators don’t always need the same display technology everywhere. Some locations are ideal for e-paper, while others require colour content, multimedia content or different display formats.
Being able to manage a mixed display estate through a single platform creates significant operational advantages. It gives operators one place to manage content, monitor device performance and distribute updates across the network.
For us as a systems integrator, that’s incredibly valuable. It allows us to be proactive rather than reactive and helps ensure passengers are always receiving accurate information.
Beyond passenger information, how important are sustainability considerations in transport infrastructure projects?
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important across the region.
Transport authorities are investing heavily in electrification and broader environmental initiatives, so energy consumption and long-term operating costs are receiving much greater attention than they did in the past.
That’s another area where e-paper technology aligns well with operator priorities. The low power requirements make it easier to deploy solar-powered solutions and reduce ongoing energy consumption.
In Dubai, many bus shelters are already solar powered, which creates opportunities to power passenger information displays using existing infrastructure.
What feedback have you received from passengers and operators since these systems have been deployed?
The initial response was very positive because many locations previously relied on printed schedules.
Passengers suddenly had access to real-time arrival information and service updates directly at the point of travel. That made a noticeable difference to the overall experience.
What’s interesting is how quickly people adapt. Once passengers become used to having that information available, they start to rely on it.
Today, if a display is temporarily unavailable for any reason, passengers notice immediately and report it. That tells you how important real-time information has become. It’s no longer viewed as a nice-to-have feature; it’s an expected part of the transport experience.
Looking ahead, what developments are you most excited about?
The pace of innovation across the region continues to be incredibly exciting.
We’re already seeing autonomous vehicles operating in parts of Dubai. Passenger drone services are moving closer to reality, major metro expansions are underway, and entirely new transport concepts are being explored.
At the same time, transport operators have access to more data than ever before. The next challenge is turning that data into meaningful information that helps passengers make better decisions about their journeys.
The ability to process large amounts of information and deliver relevant, real-time updates to passengers will play an increasingly important role in the future of mobility.
What’s exciting is that the UAE isn’t waiting for the future to arrive. It’s actively building it and we are honoured to be part of this evolving journey.
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