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Assessing technology for improving the accessibility of intercity buses for travellers with sensory disabilities

Transportation Development Centre

Objective
To determine the difficulties experienced by persons with sensory disabilities when they travel by intercity bus; and to assess the effectiveness of selected technologies in overcoming these difficulties.

Description
The researchers gathered data on accessibility problems through:

  • a literature review
  • interviews with bus travellers with sensory impairments, mobility professionals, manufacturers, designers, and bus operators
  • first-hand observation

They then selected technologies with potential for alleviating the difficulties discovered.

Fourteen high- and low-tech solutions to these communication difficulties were assessed in a specially equipped MCI DL3 accessible bus at Toronto's bus terminal. A mixed group of persons with disabilities, mobility training specialists, bus industry personnel, and project staff tried out the aids and provided feedback in structured interviews after the trials. The aids tested ranged from a pad and pencil at the driver station and raised letters for seat numbers to infrared broadcast systems.

Results
All technologies proved of value. Among the most successful were:

  • a homing device that helps guide those with visual impairments to the loading bay and bus entrance
  • an interactive paging device
  • a portable, folding seat that extends a regular bus seat to provide safe and comfortable accommodation for a guide dog

Thirty-five passengers with sensory disabilities will evaluate the technologies during in-service trials to be held in Eastern and Western Canada.

Pad and pencil at the driver station
Pad and pencil at the driver station

Concept design of a portable communications pod
Concept design of a portable communications pod to assist travellers with hearing or sight impairments



TDC Contact:
tdccdt@tc.gc.ca
Contractor:
Behavioural Team, Toronto, Ontario
Contractor Contact:
B. Barkow
Contractor:
Rutenberg Design Inc., Stittsville, Ontario
Contractor Contact:
U. Rutenberg
Schedule:
December 1998 – March 2000
Funding:
Transport Canada, R&D
$80 000
Project number:
9210
Report:
Internal report only
Date modified:
2010-08-11