Research Article
Enhancing Public Transit Accessibility for the Visually Impaired Using IoT and Open Data Infrastructures
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/icst.urb-iot.2014.257263, author={Jee-Eun Kim and Masahiro Bessho and Noboru Koshizuka and Ken Sakamura}, title={Enhancing Public Transit Accessibility for the Visually Impaired Using IoT and Open Data Infrastructures}, proceedings={The First International Conference on IoT in Urban Space}, publisher={ACM}, proceedings_a={URB-IOT}, year={2014}, month={11}, keywords={accessibility smartphone visual impairments public transit location-based services iot open data}, doi={10.4108/icst.urb-iot.2014.257263} }- Jee-Eun Kim
Masahiro Bessho
Noboru Koshizuka
Ken Sakamura
Year: 2014
Enhancing Public Transit Accessibility for the Visually Impaired Using IoT and Open Data Infrastructures
URB-IOT
ICST
DOI: 10.4108/icst.urb-iot.2014.257263
Abstract
In urban areas, public transit plays a significant role by offering mobility, but visually impaired passengers are faced with challenges due to poor access to transit information such as timetables and real-time service status. In this paper, we propose a public transit information system for the visually impaired integrating the concepts of IoT and Open Data infrastructures. We developed TalkingTransit (TT) – a location-aware system that enables users to obtain real-time service status and timetables of public transit in Tokyo that has more than 1200 stations and 1500 bus stops. Unlike existing systems, our system can be used from off-the-shelf smartphones without requiring any dedicated hardware. It also provides in-station information using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology to help users identify a right platform or exit. The system was iteratively co-designed with blind users to develop interfaces specialized for their needs. A user study shows that our interaction design was well accepted and provided improved access to massive public transit information.