Smart Signs Coming To Downtown Loop In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV - You might notice some cutting edge technology the next time you're downtown waiting for a bus. It doesn't sound like much, but it's all in the name of sustainability.

Mayor Carolyn Goodman will announce the installation of smart signs along the free Downtown Loop on Thursday morning. The signs are being provided by Soofa - a Massachusetts-based technology company which aims to "Create urban ecosystems that inspire."

The signs will be digital information boards located at seven stops along the free shuttle route in Downtown Las Vegas.

"From Las Vegas' perspective, the Sign is an off-grid solution leveraging solar-power and wireless connectivity that works alone or part of a large network. Installation is quick taking less than 30 minutes and integrates real-time transit information," said Andrew Schmidt, director of marketing for Soofa, in an email.

Soofa announced that Las Vegas was chosen as one of the early roll-out cities for the smart sign - the newest product for the young company that has smart benches in over 100 cities. The smart benches are solar-powered charging stations located in parks, bus stations, and city plazas. The smart sign will transit bus information.

"Las Vegas is unique since we are installing along the Downtown Loop, a new bus route to strengthen public transportation. We integrated with their transit API in order to show when the next bus is arriving on the Soofa Sign," Schmidt said.

The city will also be able to offer ad space on the signs. Schmidt said the company has developed a "proprietary content management system" focusing on finding local businesses to advertise.

The smart signs will initially appear along the Downtown Loop on a six-month pilot basis but the company said it hopes to "scale the network around the city later this year."

"Soofa is very much aligned with Mayor Goodman's vision of deploying solutions to create a connected community, increase sustainability, and stimulate economic growth and diversity," Schmidt said.

Image via John Locher/Associated Press