An interactive wireless communication system for visually impaired people using city bus transport.

Hsiao-Lan Wang,Chi-Lun Rau,Chung-Huang Yu,Ya-Ping Chen

doi:10.3390/ijerph110504560

Abstract

Visually impaired people have difficulty accessing information about public transportation systems. Several systems have been developed for assisting visually impaired and blind people to use the city bus. Most systems provide only one-way communication and require high-cost and complex equipment. The purpose of this study is to reduce the difficulties faced by visually impaired people when taking city buses, using an interactive wireless communication system. The system comprised a user module and a bus module to establish a direct one-to-one connection. When the user inputs 4-digit numbers, the user module immediately sends out the information. If the bus module receives the matched bus number, it buzzes and the warning LED flashes to notify the bus driver that someone is waiting to board on the bus. User tests were conducted by two visually impaired people in a simulated vehicle and a city bus. The success rate of interactive wireless communication, recognizing the arrival of the bus and boarding the correct bus reached 100% in all of the tests. The interactive wireless communication aid system is a valid and low-cost device for assisting visually impaired people to use city buses.

Highlights

The use of public transport is vital to the productivity and independence of visually impaired people.Helping visually impaired people use public transport can increase their chances of education and employment and reduce the financial burden on their families [1,2]
The purpose of the present study is to reduce the difficulties faced by visually impaired people when taking buses with interactive wireless communication design
The maximum wireless communication distances of these tests were below 100 meters

Summary

Introduction

The use of public transport is vital to the productivity and independence of visually impaired people. Helping visually impaired people use public transport can increase their chances of education and employment and reduce the financial burden on their families [1,2]. The survey results showed that only 14% of visually impaired people used public transport (city bus, mass rapid transit, train, etc.). Knowing the location of the bus stop and the time when the bus arrives are two common difficulties faced by the visually impaired. Advanced public transportation services (APTS), including bus dynamic information display systems with the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, have been developed by many countries. APTS can be equipped with the bus-stop voice reporting systems to provide more information to visually impaired people on the arrival of the bus they want to board.

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Conclusion