On 12/02/2010 08:15, Neil Williams wrote:
But I agree. I don't see why London insists on being so backward.
Flipdot displays were crap, so I don't blame them for missing those
out, but it seems LED is a technology with few disadvantages.

The problem with many bus LED destination signs is that the LED is
matrix scanned rather slowly, so has a strobing problem when it goes
over bumpy roads.

Replace the driver with one that scans at a higher frequency and that
problem goes away.

That said, there's some TfL bus routes (the 84, for instance) that are
allowed LED destination signs; presumably because the route is largely
outside's TfL's area, so I think that much of the funding for that route
actually comes from Hertfordshire. It's also a strange route in the way
that oyster card validity is done. Supposedly, a passenger boarding
within Greater London can just swipe an oyster card, but is supposed to
pay extra for the leg outside of London. Quite a few passengers get
caught out by that on the return journey when oyster cards are not valid.

--
Simon Hewison