Request ID: FOI-0804-2223 Date published: 08 August 2022
You asked
Hello,
I have noticed that there are many different types of dot matrix displays used throughout the TFL network, including Elizabeth Line, London Overground and DLR etc. My request is:
- How many different types of Dot Matrix Displays are there in use?
- What is the oldest one in use on the network?
Clarification received 11/07/2022:
For your first point I do mean systems as opposed to displays, and as such Earl's Court would be included.
Secondly, could the data included be from London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground and Elizabeth line only.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0804-2223
Thank you for your request of 1st July 2022 asking for information about next train information displays across the TfL network, as clarified on 11th July 2022.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Originally you asked:
“I have noticed that there are many different types of dot matrix displays used throughout the TFL network, including Elizabeth Line, London Overground and DLR etc. My request is:
- How many different types of Dot Matrix Displays are there in use? - What is the oldest one in use on the network?”.
On 11th July 2022 this was clarified as follows:
“I do mean systems as opposed to displays, and as such Earl's Court would be included.
Secondly, could the data included be from London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground and Elizabeth line only.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. However, I am afraid that to provide a definitive answer covering all next train information systems across all four modes is not possible within the costs limit for responding to FOI cases, as set out under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act. Under section 12 TfL is not obliged to provide information if it would cost more than £450 to determine if that information is held, and to then locate, retrieve or extract it from elsewhere. This is calculated at a rate of £25 per hour, equivalent to 18 hours. The exemption applies in this instance because the information has not been collated before and there is no single source or efficient way of doing so. Given the broad nature and scope of the request, and the complexity and age of the transport system in London, in order to provide an exact answer would require a comprehensive trawl of historic records which is not possible within the costs limit. However, that said, I can provide you with the more general information below.
A wide variety of customer information displays are used across the TfL network, generally falling into the following types:
Visual Electronic Information Displays (VEIDs) – such as the dot matrix and other digital displays on platforms with next train information
Ticket Hall Electronic Information Displays (THEIDs) – positioned in ticket halls and other station locations where next train and platform information is valuable to customers
Wonder walls – LCD/LED displays showing next train and other relevant customer information
Light box train describers – heritage devices at locations such as Earls Court
Note that on the London Underground alone there are over 20 different types of display used. On The Elizabeth line there are 3 main types (Thin Film Transistor (TFT); LED displays using a flat screen, flat-panel computer monitor or television; and Station Information & Security Systems (SISS)). The DLR uses three different types - LCD screens, DAISY (Docklands Arrival Information SYstem) screens, and Electronic Service Update boards (ESUB units). On the London Overground there are two different makes of dot matrix display used, with 5 or 6 different ranges each of model.
In terms of the oldest such display, so far as we are aware this would be the lightboxes at Earl’s Court which date to 1905.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
