ADVERTISING
TU Darmstadt and emergenCITY present digital warning column for disaster situations
With the so-called "Litfaßsäule 4.0" ), the LOEWE Center emergenCITY, the Technical University of Darmstadt, and the media company Ströer have presented a pioneering project for crisis communication. The digital prototype was officially inaugurated on Riegerplatz in Darmstadt and is designed to transmit important information to the population in a self-sufficient and comprehensive manner during crises or disasters – even in the event of a prolonged power outage.
The project draws on a familiar urban element: the classic advertising column. This column is now being technically upgraded and equipped with LED displays, photovoltaic modules, and a methanol fuel cell. This ensures that local information distribution remains possible in emergencies – such as when television, internet, or mobile phone service fails.
A project with far-reaching impact
“Always well-informed, even in times of crisis – that’s the principle behind the advertising column 4.0,” said Hesse’s Digital Minister, Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus, at the inauguration. Science Minister Timon Gremmels also emphasized the importance of the project, which was initiated by the LOEWE Center emergenCITY and is being scientifically supported by the Technical University of Darmstadt.
Darmstadt's mayor Hanno Benz sees this as an important innovation in terms of civil protection: "As a city of science, Darmstadt is pleased to be a pioneer in resilient digital emergency communication with the Litfaß column 4.0."
Research meets practice
The Litfaß column 4.0 is a modularly expandable system: The existing column top is replaced by a capital with three LED displays that, in case of emergency, are controlled by the fire department to transmit information. Power is supplied via solar energy and a methanol fuel cell, ensuring an operating time of up to 72 hours.
The prototype was developed under the direction of Dr. Joachim Schulze (TU Darmstadt), with support from Ströer Media, the Darmstadt Fire Department, Darmstadt Marketing, and other partners. In the future, the warning column will also be connected to the Federal Government's Modular Warning System (MoWaS).
Scientific support in Darmstadt
In the coming months, the acceptance and effectiveness of the system will be scientifically investigated by TU Darmstadt and the emerging transfer center Digital Resilience Xchange (DiReX). This will involve surveys, usage analyses, and technical tests. The goal is to optimize the system and, in the future, expand it to other cities.
Further information about the project is available on the website of the emergenCITY research center:
👉 www.emergencity.de
(DARTMSTADT – RED/TU)
Featured image: The classic advertising column, known for more than 170 years, is experiencing a renaissance as a warning multiplier. The idea: If other communication media such as mobile phones, the internet, or television fail during a prolonged power outage, the energy-autonomous Advertising Column 4.0 can continue to inform people. On Thursday (March 4), the LOEWE Center emergenCITY, the Technical University of Darmstadt, and the media company Ströer put the prototype, developed in a joint research collaboration, into operation at Riegerplatz in Darmstadt. In addition to technical testing, subsequent scientific studies will show how the residents of Darmstadt perceive the warning column. Pictured: Installation of the column at Riegerplatz in Darmstadt on April 2, 2024. Photo: Sascha Mannel
