Adshel gears up for national roll-out of barcode scheme

Bus shelter poster contractor Adshel is poised to launch barcoding nationally, after a successful trial in parts of London and the South-east.

Investment in barcoding is welcomed across the industry because it means contractors can prove that posters have been put up, that the right poster has gone up on the right site and at what time.

A barcode is put on the six-sheet poster which corresponds to one elsewhere on the bus shelter. Staff, known as bill posters, “read” the two codes using a scanner and the information is stored in a handheld computer.

These computers also tell the billposter where to go and which posters to put up. He can punch in details about the state of each bus shelter, for example if it has been vandalised.

The information can be downloaded and the data passed on to clients, either electronically or on paper. Adshel launched the “paperless” system in its Dartford region first and has just introduced it in Hayes and Acton. A further 13 regional depots will go live later this year.

Ian McComas, executive director Adshel, says: “We can offer proof of poster delivery at every site.”