Combining verbal information and a tactile guidance surface: the most efficient way to guide people with visual impairment in transport stations?

Abstract

This article reports on an experiment conducted in a complex underground station with 33 participants (13 blind and 20 partially sighted) who used an infrared verbal guidance system in combination with a tactile guidance surface system and 32 participants (14 blind and 18 partially sighted) who used an infrared verbal guidance system alone. Performance of the participants was assessed by the time taken to complete the trip and the number of pauses they made. Feedback from the participants was also recorded. The results showed that the use of the two guidance devices together led to a decrease in the time needed to complete the trip and reduced the difficulties of using the verbal guidance system. The participants reported their satisfaction when using the two devices and highlighted the necessity of avoiding cognitive overload in the design of orientation systems.