Enhancing the safety of visually impaired travelers in and around transit stations.

Final research reportPDFTech ReportDTRT12GUTG11Assistive technologyBlind personsMobile applicationsRail transit stationsSmartphonesUser interfaces (Computer science)Visually impaired personsPedestriansCyclistsUnited StatesCarnegie-Mellon University. Technologies for Safe and Efficient Transportation University Transportation CenterDias, BernardineTeves, ErmineHochendoner, EricSistla, PraneethaMin, Byung-CheolSteinfeld, AaronCarnegie-Mellon University. Technologies for Safe and Efficient Transportation University Transportation CenterUniversity Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)United States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThe TechBridge World research group at Carnegie Mellon University has been exploring specific needs and constraints encountered by blind or visually impaired (B/VI) adults when using transit stations. Through this work, the findings indicated a strong need for a tool that allows these travelers to annotate routes with their own notes of useful information, and to easily obtain and use relevant information from trusted sources. The authors initially prototyped an accessible Android smartphone tool that has significant potential to enhance the safety of these travelers. The authors developed two interfaces for this prototype tool: 1) for B/VI trusted sources, and 2) for sighted trusted individuals. Based on feedback received from the initial prototype, the research team focused on re-designing the NavPal app to enhance its robustness and user interface, and to allow for seamless integration of both indoor and outdoor navigation. This document describes the NavPal prototype app as well as the findings from a user study to determine the components' effectiveness and solicit feedback for improvement