A project to enable the safe and independent use of public bus transportation for persons with visual or hearing impairments, designed also to assist persons with all physical, mental or sensory conditions. A new information technology has been developed and mobile applications introduced.

Visual and acoustic information is provided both inside and outside the vehicle. The information panels at the bus stop include audio information that can be activated through a simple button or by activating Bluetooth on the mobile phone. A telephone service provides information about the time of arrival at each stop.

A series of actions that introduced the concepts of ICT have been implemented: • Visual and acoustic information systems installed inside and outside the bus and at bus stops • Systems based on mobile phones, with voice recognition and synthesis • Innovative mobile applications, such as a voice guidance system to use the bus, including Augmented Reality

Problems Targeted

Public transportation is not easily accessible for persons with visual and hearing impairments who would like to navigate the city in a safe and independent way. The use and further development of ICT and Augmented Reality applications help to make public transportation more accessible. The aim of the practice is to make the use of the public bus transportation easier for everyone, regardless of their physical, mental or sensory conditions.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Visual and acoustic information systems, mobile applications

Pictures

Augmented Reality: information superimposed over the real image captured by the phone camera improves the user guidance.