Photo by Bill Adler.

Metro announced today that eight stations will play host to large-scale interactive touchscreens as part of a pilot program to better inform riders and earn some extra revenue.

The 72-inch screens will be divided to show eight-second advertisements (the likes of Graduate School USA and Providence Hospital have already been lined up) and real-time information like train departure times and area maps.

“WMATA advertising generates about $20 million annually in revenues that support bus and rail transportation and help keep fares affordable for riders,” said assistant general manager for customer service, communications and marketing Lynn Bowersox.

Users can also choose to make the map full screen or see all the stations that connect to a particular line. Station-specific information that can be displayed includes accessibility features, bus connections, parking and car sharing availability, and bike rack availability.

The digital displays can be found at:

• Gallery Place (7th & F Verizon Center and the 7th & H Chinatown entrances)
• Metro Center (11th & G and the 13th & G entrances)
• Farragut North (Connecticut Ave. & K St. entrance)
• Farragut West (18th St. & I St. entrance)
• Foggy Bottom
• Pentagon
• Federal Triangle
• Capitol South