Using Technology to Make Public Transportation More Accessible

Published July 16, 2022

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act enforces the standards requiring public transportation systems to provide accessible services but unfortunately, not all people actually have equal access to public transportation. Just like everyone else, people with disabilities need to be able to access services, workplaces, school and community, and public transportation plays a major role in making that possible for many people. Despite the enforcement of regulations, however, many people still face barriers using these services.

Current challenges

The public transportation landscape can be complex and diverse, and the barriers faced by those with disabilities differ from person to person, resulting in a wide range of potential challenges that any one individual could face.

Physical barriers are one of the most immediately obvious problems. While ramps, elevators and escalators may be commonplace in most transportation stations and hubs, people with disabilities that affect their mobility may still face challenges. Poorly maintained floors, gaps between platforms, and vehicles and long distances between key points could all diminish one’s ability to navigate the environment independently.

One’s ability to navigate could also be affected by how clearly information is presented, how easy it is to understand, and how efficiently and effectively changes and delays that could disrupt one’s planned route are announced.

How technology can help

Though there are many potential barriers one could encounter while using public transportation, technology offers several potential solutions for providing more accessible services.

First and foremost, the existing technologies and equipment that are in common use should be properly monitored, maintained and improved as advancements are made. Elevators, escalators, handrails and ramps should be well implemented, well maintained and installed in enough places to actually help improve accessibility. Beacons and geofencing can also be used to help passengers navigate safely through spaces.

Ticket gates and turnstiles should also be designed to provide ample time and space for someone to pass through them whether they’re on foot or using an assistive device such as a wheelchair. Additional technologies such as contactless validation systems and sensors that detect someone attempting to pass through could help reduce barriers even further. Many New York area stations, for example, make use of an automated entry-and-exit system called AutoGate that can be accessed by those with certain disabilities, wheelchairs, or service animals.

Most people are likely to rely on signage at some point when using public transportation, and signage systems that present information in more than one format will be the most accessible. Combining visual, audio and tactile information will allow a wide range of people to perceive it, and making use of simple language and, where possible, universal symbols will help make information easier to understand.

When signage or the guidance from other technologies alone isn’t enough, or when someone might need other assistance, easy-to-identify intercom systems that allow passengers to quickly contact staff members can help prevent someone from being unable to overcome a barrier they may encounter.

While public transportation systems should take full responsibility for providing accessible services, mobile apps are also providing passengers with additional tools to help themselves get around. In addition to transit information apps, there are applications making use of artificial intelligence to help users identify things in their environments, convert text to audio and contact volunteers who can provide real-time assistance. Tools such as these serve as a good example of the potential ways public transportation systems can make use of artificial intelligence, mobile applications, and other technologies to provide more robust assistance to passengers.

Technology is undergoing constant, rapid advancements, and the possibilities for using technology to improve accessibility and the experiences of passengers are also constantly expanding. As we work on reducing barriers to transportation and ensuring all people have access to the places they need to get to, we should be constantly reevaluating existing solutions and ways technology can be used to ensure continued progress.

 

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