The RTA uses it, without staff, to reach people in shopping malls and other high-traffic areas and get them involved. Interactive displays are stationary components of a larger outreach program. They cannot be an agency's sole means of public communication. Instead, they offer a dynamic and poten tially absorbing method for expanding public involvement. Any new technology involving machines may cause unease.
People resent the use of machines as a perceived replacement for personal communication.
Software purchase is a high up-front cost. Moreover, the software package needs to be updated regularly to keep it fresh. Maintenance costs are incurred. Screens get dirty, especially touch-screens, and may need daily cleaning if usage is high. Potential vandalism is a factor in site selection, the type of equipment selected, and the location of the power source.