The City of Prague has approved the installation of further information and navigation systems as part of the ‘Legible Prague’ (Čitelná Praha) project. By 2030, over 550 new electronic display boards and around 150 totems are to be installed across the city.
The first electronic display boards were installed last year by ROPID (Regional organiser of Prague’s integrated transport) at 24 major tram and bus stops, with another 35 expected to be added this year. Smaller departure boards have also been set up at 30 bus shelters, with more planned for this year.
Both types of displays are designed to show passengers real-time departure information for public transport directly at the stops. Another variation, currently being tested at the Palackého náměstí and Nádraží Libeň stops, is an electronic display integrated directly into the shelter.
The goal of implementing new technologies is to improve conditions for passengers, support sustainable mobility within the city, and enhance overall information security in public spaces for both passengers and pedestrians.
By linking to the data network of the city company Operátor ICT and connecting to individual traffic control centres, current operational information regarding traffic disruptions or details of active closures can also be shown.
The aim is to equip more than 550 stops by 2030 with either a freestanding display board, a smaller board inside the shelter, or a small board integrated into the stop’s display.
Prague has also approved the widespread installation of up to 150 totems. “A totem is a new navigation tool that helps passengers more easily find entrances to metro stations, railway stations, and key transport hubs. Its main task is to improve passenger orientation in the city and facilitate transfers,” explains ROPID Director Petr Tomčík.
The totems will primarily be mounted on street lighting masts or overhead wire masts, and in some cases on independent structures. Prototypes of the totems have been tested at five locations in Prague – Palackého náměstí, Malostranská, Háje, Eden, and Rajská zahrada.
