White London Bus Destination Blinds

[ert47]

Have been noticing a number of new '13 reg buses using white text on the destination blinds instead of green/yellow which we've had for a good 15 or so years.

Just wondering if anyone knows why the change has happened?

 

[Eagle]

At a guess, it stands out more when backlit? (That's just from personal observation, and may actually have more to do with the thickness of the blind material.)

 

[bb21]

Not a new thing. I believe the 607 always had white ones.

 

[MCR247]

TfL standards are now white on black. Abellio seem to be retrofitting them pretty quickly

 

[edwin_m]

I always believed the green/yellow is a fluorescent dye which stands out more than white because it is backlit by a UV tube. Is this actually so, and if it is why do people now think that white is more readable?

 

[ert47]

Not a new thing. I believe the 607 always had white ones.

We had white on black blinds before. Way back in the time that Arriva was Cowie and before lowfloor double deck buses was a thing in London.

 

[Be3G]

I've been spotting the new white-on-black ones for the past few months too. Maybe it's just me, but I found the old fluorescent yellowy-green ones easier to read. :?

 

[Greenback]

I wouldn't be surprised if some found yellow on black easier to read and some people found white on black to be the case. I'm one of the latter, but the main thing is that I can read either.

I would guess that the new standard followed some sort of scientific research. I remember when my employers said that Arial 12 was the best font for visually imapired people in emails, but following some university study it is now, apparently, Verdana 12.

 

[starrymarkb]

IIRC I believe scientifically Yellow on Black is the most contrasting, but TfL are on a retro binge with the Borismaster. I'm lead to believe that's the reason for the change.

 

[jon0844]

Yes, I think that's the reason too.

 

[telstarbox]

Lothian Buses (Edinburgh) have white-on-black blinds as well.

 

[BuhSnarf]

Never understood why they don't use electronic ones. I find them the easiest to see from a distance.

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[jopsuk]

so the NB4L (aka Boris Bus aka Roast Master aka New Routmaster) has a curved piece of glass in front of the destination blind. You can guess what wonders this does for readability in sunlight...