Anyone who has taken a commercial flight, a train trip, or a bus journey, or a cruise has seen the ubiquitous TV monitors located through out airports, train and bus stations throughout the world. Displayed on these screens are arrival and departure times, delays, gate and track numbers, and so forth. These monitors are, perhaps, one of the most obvious uses of electronic signage.

Rather than hiring a person or several people to provide traveler information, terminal managers have up-to-date, accurate scheduling, and gate or track information available for passengers 24/7 at less than a tenth of the cost of hiring extra employees. These familiar digital billboards are only one of the benefits of presenting up-to-date, concise, targeted information directly to the consumer.

More and more, this digital media network is segueing from the gate to the plane, from the passenger waiting area to the express bus, from trackside to the Pullman car. Compact, drop-down or fixed-mounted flat-screen TV’s, with 8-inch, 10-inch, or even larger picture screens are common on airplanes, busses, trains, even integrated into the front seat-backs of taxis. These compact electronic signs are used to provide updated scheduling information, news, entertainment, instructions, directions, and destination information to what is the ultimate captive audience, a passenger in a moving conveyance.

In cruise ship terminals, as well as on board the ship itself, attention-grabbing, large-screen LCD ad players can promote shipboard activities, shore-side amenities, and information about various ports-of-call. This narrowcasting network is implemented to make the cruise experience as pleasant and entertaining, as interesting and informative, and as hassle-free and worry-free as it can possibly be.

A further benefit terminal mangers receive from utilizing digital signage to inform, educate and entertain is their marketing and advertising advantages. From touting products and services available from the airline, railroad, or bus company itself, to raising revenue from third party advertising, to the cost-effectiveness of replacing expensive static signage and print ads, floor-standing LCD TV monitors and vertical electronic advertising signs are the wave of the marketing future.

The most direct advantage with using digital signage in the transportation industry is that these electronic advertising displays can transform a captive audience into an entertained, informed, and interested group of consumers. Many of these consumers would be interested in hearing more about the particular products or services they see. Some would doubtless become regular customers. This, of course, means revenue.

Possibly the single most advantageous benefit of using point-of-purchase digital signage is its proven record of a high return-on-investment (ROI). Third-party advertising, cost-effectiveness over print advertising, and documented increases in sales figures and customer satisfaction all point to the success that the digital media network has had in the transportation industry.