Digitally barrier-free: Accessible information in Hamburg’s public transport system

Involved in this Project: Research Lab | Design Studio | Developer Squad | Co-Creation Space

There are hardly any ways for blind and visually impaired people to get information at stops and on the tracks. Together with S-Bahn Hamburg, we want to make information more accessible and travel on public transport easier. To this end, we have addressed one of the most basic passenger problems faced by blind and visually impaired people: the lack of information about the next arriving trains on the track.

The challenge

Process

Result

The challenge

Existing information media in public transport are only of limited use for visually impaired passengers. Visual impairments exist in a variety of forms, each of which is accompanied by individual requirements regarding colors and sizes and the arrangement of information. No single medium or layout can cover all these requirements at once.

Process

As part of this project, we worked very closely with people with various visual impairments (blind, with residual vision). Using qualitative research modules, we investigated the everyday (mobility) lives of visually impaired people and analyzed their needs.

We used the findings to develop a digital, interactive application. With the constant involvement of people with visual impairments, we continuously developed the app in terms of user experience.

Result

We have developed an MVP based on beacon technology that is able to locate the blind or visually impaired passenger on the platform. Based on the localization, relevant information is provided in real time in a weighty form and size. Passengers can determine their individual settings and the form of information output according to their impairments (including audio description).

As a result, the app provides blind and visually impaired passengers with the same information on the platform as passengers without visual impairments.

The right information at the right time. In visual and acoustic form.

Bluetooth beacons installed in the train destination displays locate passengers on the platform.

In testings with the target group, the prototypes were developed iteratively and thus step by step from a simple paper prototype to a functional application.

The interface can be adapted to individual requirements.

Users are localized and notified when information is available.