Destination Sign Unit (DSU)
Throughout BART's history, five generations of destination sign units (DSUs) have guided passengers on their BART trips.
The first generation DSUs, used from 1972 to about 2003, were made by the Chicago-based Stewart-Warner. Their five inch high display showed ETAs, train destinations (when approaching), and advertising messages. The five million dollar project cost was mostly covered through the use of 10 year advertising contracts with Coca Cola, Crocker National Bank, and Sears & Roebuck. This was named the "world's first computerized, train information system," using a complex method of central train control computer, station - mounted computers, and teletype systems to deliver information (Destination Sign System - DSS).
The second generation DSUs were akin to TV screens, and used only in the downtown San Francisco stations in the 1990s. They were hard to clean, and replaced by the third generation DSUs.
The third generation DSUs were built by Daktronics.
The fourth generation DSUs, also built by Daktronics, consists of full color LED and multi-langauge displays, with auto-brightness control (many of these features are currently not used). They are used at eBART, Warm Springs, Milpitas, Berryessa, Montgomery St, Powell St, and Civic Center stations.
The fifth generation DSUs use the casing of the third generation DSUs.
They are only used at Lake Merritt station
The first generation DSUs, used from 1972 to about 2003, were made by the Chicago-based Stewart-Warner. Their five inch high display showed ETAs, train destinations (when approaching), and advertising messages. The five million dollar project cost was mostly covered through the use of 10 year advertising contracts with Coca Cola, Crocker National Bank, and Sears & Roebuck. This was named the "world's first computerized, train information system," using a complex method of central train control computer, station - mounted computers, and teletype systems to deliver information (Destination Sign System - DSS).
The second generation DSUs were akin to TV screens, and used only in the downtown San Francisco stations in the 1990s. They were hard to clean, and replaced by the third generation DSUs.
The third generation DSUs were built by Daktronics.
The fourth generation DSUs, also built by Daktronics, consists of full color LED and multi-langauge displays, with auto-brightness control (many of these features are currently not used). They are used at eBART, Warm Springs, Milpitas, Berryessa, Montgomery St, Powell St, and Civic Center stations.
The fifth generation DSUs use the casing of the third generation DSUs.
They are only used at Lake Merritt station
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