Scientific and technological reports

How Can Developments in Mainstream Transport Technology Help Visually Impaired Passengers?

Conducted as part of the AUNT project which is funded by the EPSRC

A seminar to discuss the issues surrounding this topic was held on Wednesday 14th April 2004 in London. The purpose of the seminar was to identify priorities for research and development within the scope of Urban and inter-urban transport. How can future services be improved to help travellers in a sustainable way? And what developments are needed to make this happen?

A list of the delegates is provided in appendix 2. An agenda is provided in appendix 1 and below is an overview of the presentations and discussions.

David Sentinella commenced the presentations with an overview of transport technology. The UK transport network is a patchwork of over 200 local authorities, suppliers and operators forming a complex marketplace. The traveller does not want to know about how these are integrated but to move seamlessly through these infrastructure boundaries. In practice though this creates problems with the interfaces between them and inconsistencies in designs, policy and operations. Rarely is a journey smooth and joined up between streets, buildings and different transport services. Especially at a regional level when multimodal interchanges are undertaken, the lack of a comprehensive information system can cause frustration to a traveller. Staff are allowed to help people within their section but not beyond the boundaries of the service. To ensure any information is of use, the solution lies in knowing the user, what do they require? And how? Within a transport context an example of this is creating maps that are developed by people who are not local to the area, so no assumptions are made.

The focus on technology is important to deal with the majority of passengers to enable them to travel quickly between the nodes. The logic behind this is to allow more time for staff to turn their attention to people who do not move so frictionlessly through the system. Problems then arise if technology is the only means and reliance on it is heavy e.g. when stations etc. are open without staff to provide back-up. The message was that technology should not be the main focus of transport systems but "it's about service". We should never assume that technology alone will take us forward.

The importance of 'Toolkits' was emphasised. These will provide regulators with an indication of how new technology that is brought in will impact the system and users. What improvements will be made, how these are instigated, what and where problems still arise or are created can also be modelled. In the AUNT-SUE project this relates to objective to 'develop methods and associated tools and resources that will enable practitioners to address issues of social inclusion/exclusion and to evaluate the impact of interventions'.
Emerging standards are being tackled by ITSO. They aim to create consistency across the national system for local schemes through the implementation of creative standards. A report of the implementation of these standards will be published in 2004.

What future technology (<5 years) is planned for public transport services in the UK? Future technology was alluded to in the form of: ticketing systems; chip and pin; terminals and the web; real time provisions; and location systems. Smart cards are now being introduced into the London transport system alongside LASSEO - National Smartcard Project which aims to create a smart card for local authority services which could include transport. Smart cards are enticing because from an ergonomic viewpoint, the complexity can be hidden away from the user so they are relieved of understanding the intricacies of the system.

Mick Davies representing London Connects and LASSeO expanded on this by talking about ticketing in its wider sense. In terms of smart cards, it is unlikely that only one card will be possible for all local services available. Different systems have different requirements and implications. Mick illustrated this by providing a brief run through of the uses of smartcards bringing out the differences between ticketing applications and those requiring tighter security or greater data transfer. Transport is concerned with speeding up access through the nodes, this is augmented by using contactless smart cards. These need to be reliable, robust with simple functionality. This could include people's preferences that they have specified e.g. large print, audio output, black and white text, text only, language choice, more time etc.

The presentation touched on local authority multi-purpose smartcards and then discussed the work carried out by the National Smartcard Project on a range of issues affecting visually impaired card users in this more complex arena. Rather than having a separate card for transport, leisure facilities and the library, local authorities are finding it convenient to include a few functions on one card rather than many, these can be included or subtracted as required by the user. This makes it easier for visually impaired people so they do not have to distinguish between so many cards. This raises the issue of differentiating cards for ease of use and resolving problems of orientation, marking / embossing contactless cards.

Dual interface cards - which are contact and contactless - provide a flexible tool that can be used in many situations. Their impact and what we need to do to make them useable was mentioned. Standards in this area are moving, but how quickly? Not quickly enough unfortunately. Proxy use by carers creates further issues such as confidence, security and trust.

David Parsons from Shere a small ticketing machine manufacturer in the UK focused on the terminals. Their position is to understand where these machines are not inclusive and how they are used. Firstly the location of the terminals is important, they must be easy to find and well lit. This new generation of self service terminals are computer based and therefore enable beneficial features to be included. The screen must have appropriate backlighting and Shere have implemented a LCD display that adjusts to the ambient lighting as required. Beyond this the terminals must be secure, monitored and well maintained e.g. so worn out keys do not remain illegible. The terminals could also be combined with car parking machines so people arriving my car can purchase both tickets simultaneously thereby requiring less time by the station ticket machines. Finding the machines in the first place was sometimes difficult.

The interface must be accessible by being intuitive with helpful graphics. Appropriate typefaces, large buttons, illumination, and easy access retrieval of coins and tickets were regarded. The height of the terminal was discussed and a conflict highlighted between people in a wheelchair who require a low terminal and visually impaired people who may want to put their face close to the screen.

The operation could also be personalised to suit the user. Repeats of normal transactions can be coded or the option of delivery of tickets ordered by phone direct to a machine next to the phone could be implemented. The problem of disclosing money related details was indicated as very concerning for people who could not see who was listening or watching. Standards are required to implement an increase in personalisation.

David Clowes from Intelligent Transport Systems, looked at the provision of information for travellers before and during a journey on public transport using modern technology. The presentation considered the needs of travellers on public transport. Information is currently available from timetables, signs, kiosks, phone or on board announcements. These are not necessarily up to date and may not provide exactly what is needed, when it is needed. The passenger wants personal trip details like where to get off and where to go at interchanges before they encounter the situation.

There is information out there and someone somewhere knows about it, but it is expensive to collect and provide. So who pays - operators, public sector or users - becomes an obvious unavoidable concern. Especially during service disruptions, information, advice and guidance in real time to travellers will inform them to make changes to their plans, comprehend the implications and mitigating effects on their journey and tell others of their intentions. These are important benefits which Traveline and Transport Direct are working to provide. This will be based on up-to-date real time information available by SMS or to other hand held mobile devices. So recent developments are improving the quantity and quality of information available.

Many schemes assume good sight at present so the considerations of how applicable this is for visually handicapped persons and what, if any additional needs they have were summarised. Announcements are improving, platform help points are increasing but whether they are maintained and finding them in the first instance are also issues. More questions than answers are prevalent in this area.

Franjo Cecelja from Brunel University introduced a 10 year project on a Navigation System for blind and visually impaired people. The rationale behind it is that foot travel is essential before, during and after the use of transport and a sighted guide is the best means of helping a visually impaired person. This system is based on the integration of state of the art current technologies, including high-accuracy Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning, Geographical Information System (GIS), electronic compass and wireless digital video transmission (remote vision) facility with an accuracy of 3-4m. The system provides an automated guidance using the information from daily updated digital map datasets e.g. roadworks. If required the remote guidance of visually impaired pedestrians by a sighted human guide using the information from the digital map and/or from the remote video image provides flexibility. The system is currently being evaluated and a creation of a Navigation Centre for the Blind has been initiated. The difficulties encountered include the availability of up to date information and what information to offer including the navigation protocol. Levels of functionality have been created to tailor the information to the user's requirements. GPS does not work indoors or underground but this can be overcome with the a wearable strip device with tactile buttons and a camera. The maintenance is problematic.

A Tranport Operator's Perspective was provided by Jim Barclay. The presentation reviewed the role of Merseytravel in the provision of public transport and transport's associated infrastructure and facilities within a Passenger Transport Executive. As society is changing, the inclusion of all citizens is a prime concern and it's interest lies with ensuring the network is accessible to everyone by removing any barriers. Cleanliness and maintenance - so broken tiles do not produce tripping hazards etc. - are on the list of priorities. With numerous examples, it was demonstrated how Merseytravel influences public transport and how it contributes in a practical fashion. Different forms of media are available for information provided. An accessibility guide to all 88 stations includes details of steps, lifts etc. encountered on route. Colour - strong yellow - and tactile marking are used consistently in the built environment. Guidance paving has been introduced which is of different colours and textures. Bus stops have been clearly marked and delineated. A kassel kerb has been designed to ensure that buses low floor facilities have something to connect with rather than leaving a gap. The 'Announce' system being developed by Arriva will provide information about the bus route taken. People like reassurance so help points at all stations provide service information. Stations are staffed from 15 minutes prior to 15 minutes after trains run because the human interface is regarded as critical.

Although it is acknowledged that these measures cost more, the benefits incurred are priceless e.g. safety, reassurance, encouraged use and an ethos of caring about the user. It is not only tangible structures but also perceptions of individuals that affect inclusion, and the presentation showed how Merseytravel has and will continue to change attitudes within society. Cultural issues become evident when systems are available but staff do not use them, and the provision of a consistent script e.g. for announcements. The culture of the users is less easy to sway especially when some of them are used to a free scheme and do not respond positively to change. Adapting existing passes by keeping the paper based system but incorporating a chip has provided an affordable compromise. The AUNT-SUE project aims 'to facilitate the development of transferable solutions and dissemination of best practice'.

Fred Reid, has been a blind traveller for 50 years, but he is adamant that he is not a representative user so the views he presented were individual. There are so many types of visual impairment that affect people very differently that the views of a few people are not reflective of this section of the population. When consultancy is offered, the ones that shout the loudest or the disabled elite's views may be adopted but these are not necessarily work for the majority. The approach seems to be it does not matter whether the consequences are positive or not at least we are doing something. The AUNT-SUE project's objective 'to develop methods for ensuring that the perceptions and views of people who experience transport-related exclusion are incorporated into policies and practices' aims to counteract this. Design should be targeted towards the mainstream but usable by the majority of people taking account of minority groups. Designing for preferences allows everyone a commercial solution with universal appeal.

Within the last 10 -15 years Fred has been aware of progress within the transport network. On the railway, escort services are more widespread and reliable, the tube escorting service is provided with sensitivity, courtesy and effectively. Space is allocated for wheelchairs and sometimes for guide dogs. Nevertheless there is no room for complacency and the anger and skepticism expressed by visually impaired people can be justified because the system often fails where it should not e.g. train managers sometimes make pre-departure announcements although even when these do happen, they might not be audible. Clear announcements would benefit everyone e.g. hearing impaired, visually impaired, foreign speakers. Delivery is often inconsistent e.g. on voyager trains, there are 4 different locations for the door releases and it is difficult for an infrequent traveler to remember the pattern and should they have to? The best aid is someone's elbow, some staff are wonderful, some are not. The first great challenge is to achieve consistency. Beyond that, there is much scope for further innovation. New schemes are implemented when the old ones were not rectified and the same or more mistakes occur again.

Virgin trains provide toilet signs that are embossed with Braille but no indication as to where the buttons to open the door are! There should not be any unmanned stations, other answers need to be found if no one is available. In Japan, there is an inch groove in the floor of the stations that a visually impaired person can hook their long white cane into and follow out. On the streets, temporary obstacles could be audible. Lampposts and other street furniture should not be allowed to have sharp edges at head height. These could be made of softer smooth materials rather than metal. "Progress will have been made when an Englishman's street becomes his bouncy castle."

The ASK-IT project is a very large and complicated project which was presented by Simon Edwards of Newcastle University. It stands for Ambient Intelligence System of Agents for Knowledge-based and Integrated Services for Mobility Impaired users. Mobility Impaired (MI) people have a wide variety of functional limitations, from different types of physical impairments to activity limitations. The aims of this project are to develop an ambient intelligence space for the integration of functions and services for elderly and disabled people across various environments. Another aim is to enable the provision of personalised, self-configurable, intuitive and context-related applications and services and, facilitate knowledge and content organisation and processing. Within it, MI people related infomobility content is collected, interfaced and managed, encompassing transport, tourism and leisure, personal support services, work, business and education, social relations and community related content. To offer the content, a number of advanced tools are developed, such as enhanced accuracy localisation, accessible intermodal route guidance modules and interfaces to e-Commerce, domotics, health and emergency management, driver support, computer accessibility, e-Working, e-Learning systems and assistive devices. Content and tools are integrated within an Ambient Intelligent Framework, by a Multi Agent System of Intelligent Agents and a self-configurable User Interface, that offer service personalisation according to user profile, habits, preferences and context of use. This framework is interoperable in terms of mobile devices so offer seamless and device independent service everywhere. The integrated ASK-IT service and system will be tested in 7 interconnected sites Europewide, to prove that full travel accessibility for MI users can be achieved in a reliable and viable way using a range of available technologies and communications networks. For more information see: www.ask-it.org

AUNT-SUE stands for Accessibility and User Needs in Transport and is a project funded by the EPSRC under the Sustainable Urban Environments programme. This project brings together expertise from an academic, council and user group organisation. The research is informed by a wider network of practitioners in central and local government, consumers and industry. The project acronym maintains that our research is focused on real people, not the an idea of an average person for whom transport often seems to have been designed. No one is average in every dimension so the abstraction means many people are not included. We intend to address the practicalities of how to improve access for a greater percentage of the population. The aim is to develop and test sustainable policies and practices for socially inclusive design and operation from the macro - urban transport systems - down to the micro - vehicle design etc. - level.

The first part the study started last year and will continue until 2007. It commenced with a focus group and other interviews with visually impaired people to highlight a number of key issues [report available].

A journey that is not made frequently needs to be planned carefully with regard to the route taken and timing. If the traveller is astute and has time, problems may to be anticipated and contingency plans explored beforehand to decrease the stress caused by disruption. This involves consulting maps, timetables, advice and help from other people. The inadequacy of most of the printed and electronic material that is available means that clear speech - based information is crucial to visually impaired travellers and must be available where and when needed on route. Negotiating the transition between modes and services is critical.

Despite the recognition by the UK government, EC and others, of the needs of groups of people whose mobility needs are not being met, there is a dearth of resources and tools to support those working to put these principles into practice. AUNT-SUE intends to develop a comprehensive decision support tool-kit to enable users, policy makers, designers and operators to determine integrated solutions to the multitude of problems we are aware of. Throughout the project, real - world but controlled 'Testbed' facilities in LB Camden and Hertfordshire CC will allow these to be piloted, tested and transferred to other case study areas as the work progresses.

The researchers are currently requesting suggestions so if you are interested in discussing ideas or in participating please contact Steve Shaw. For more information about the AUNT-SUE project

To conclude there are a wide range of technologies and areas that are related to transport. For progress to be beneficial, it requires a dialogue between all the players e.g. policy makers, operators, designers, academic researchers and of course consumers / users. The meeting of these fractions must engender a sensible coherent approach which will lead to sustainable solutions. The problems may not be cured but through looking at the many components of the journey from before the beginning to the end, the access and usability of the system can be improved. Preferences allow for customisation of mainstream technology to populations with a wide variety of needs. Beyond the research and wonderful pilots the implementation and maintenance must be followed through. In practice constraints of resources, time and limitations prevent us from achieving what we want to achieve. This seminar helped 'identify and understand the conditions that are necessary for, which are helpful for, or which hinder the implementation of inclusive and sustainable policy, operations and design', which is another theme of the AUNT-SUE project.

Appendix 1

Agenda

10.00 - 10.30	Coffee
10.30 - 11.00	Transport Technology: Recent Developments, Opportunities and Issues	David Sentinella, Department of Transport
11.00 - 11.20	Ticketing in its Wider Sense: How Do I Use This Thing?	Mick Davies, London Connects
11.20 - 11.40	Making Self-service Terminals Available for All	David Parson, Shere
11.40 - 12.00	Real Time Passenger Information At a Time of Service Disruption	David Clowes, Intelligent Transport Systems
12.00 - 12.20	GPS Navigation System	Dr. Franjo Cecelja, Brunel University
12.20 - 12.40	Discussion
12.40 - 1.40	Lunch
1.40 - 2.00	A Transport Operator's Perspective	Jim Barclay, MerseyTravel
2.00 - 2.20	A Consumer's Perspective	Dr Fred Reid
2.20 - 2.40	Discussion
2.40 - 3.00	Coffee / Tea
3.00 - 3.20	ASK-IT: Ambient Intelligence for Knowledge-Based and Integrated Services for Mobility Impaired Users	Simon Edwards, Newcastle University
3.20 - 3.40	AUNT-SUE - Practitioner Network	Steve Shaw, London Metropolitan University
3.40 - 4.00	Conclusions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 2

Delegates list: Accurate until the seminar took place.

Name	Company
Alex Gee	Cambridgeshire County Council
Alex Stewart
Allan Bailey	Thales Telecomm Services
Allan Mabert	Guide Dogs
Andrew Poole	Mott MacDonald Ltd
Angela Stokes	Waltham Forest Sensory Disability
Ann Mead
Anne Fisher	BRPS
Annette Brown	Beyond Sight
Barry Ward	Leeds Supertram Access Group
Bob Tuner	Transport for London
Brenda Beale
Brian Archer
Bryan Matthews	Leeds University
Carole Gardiner
Catherine Inwood	TRL Limited
Chris Cook
Dave Greetham	NPfIT
David Clowes	ITS-UK
David Parson	Shere
David Peake	Vista
David Sentinella	DFT
David Smith	Carl Bro Group
Franjo Cecelja	Brunel
Fred Reid
Gareth Cooper	Lancashire County Council.
Gordon Forster
Guido Gybels	RNID
Helen Aluko-olokun	Guide Dogs
Helen Beavan	GMPTE
Henrietta Doyle	Haringey Phoenix Group's
Hua Dong	Cambridge University
Ian Goodearl
Ian Hebborn	St Dunstan's
Jacqueline Brindle	Lancashire County Council.
Jamie Buchanan	RNID
Jamie Lightfoot	Hampshire County Council
Jan Welsman	Surrey Association for Visual Impairment
Jennifer Raymond	Transport for London
Jill Allen-King
Jim Barclay	MerseyTravel
Jim Horan	London Borough of Camden
Joe Burns	Amey
John Harrington
Julian Jones
Kevin Knox	Dundee City Council
Kirsten Hearn	Transport for London Board
Leda Lopez	Transport for London
Lesley Kelly	National Federation for the Blind
Lisa Charlton	Newcastle Disability Forum
Malcolm Pickett	TRL Ltd
Maria Oshodi	Extant
Marie Markowski	Serco Usability Services
Mark Beecroft	University of Southampton
Mark Pampel
Martin Siczkowski	Metro
Michael Corfin
Mick Davis	London Connects
Mike Brace
Mr Bowker
Mr David Evans
Mr Ganesh	Welsh Assembly Government
Mr Pearce
Mrs J. M. Appleton
Neil Gellatly	Dundee City Council
Nick Swift
Pam Jarmain
Pat Askew
Peter Simm	GMPTE
Peter Stoddart	ITSO
Peter Wilkins
Peter Wright	Transport for London
Phil Berczuk	Steer Davies Gleave
Philip Barham	Transport & Travel Research Ltd
Sara Kincla	Serco Usability Services
Shashi Ghedia	Philips
Simon Edwards	Newcastle University
Stephan Knecht	Bones GmbH
Steve Shaw	London Metropolitan University
Sue Westwood	Brighton and Hove City Council
Susan Moore
Susan Pitt
Terry Robinson	Describe Online
Trevor Bond	Vision for Accessible Transport
Yetunde Oyediran
Yvonne Howard	Transport for London
Zeliha Iscel	Action for Blind People