Background and Challenges

Public transport is becoming increasingly popular. Among the main reasons passengers give for choosing public transport over private cars are rising fuel prices, the opportunity to work while travelling, increasingly fast connections, and technological innovations that have made public transport more convenient. These improvements serve many people well, but those with disabilities do not benefit in the same way. They face physical barriers such as broken or missing elevators, have to navigate without tactile guidance systems, and encounter stops and stations that are not designed to meet their needs.

There are sensory barriers as well. The absence of audio announcements, information provided exclusively visually, or displays with insufficient contrast can create additional hurdles for people with different accessibility needs. In addition, neurodivergent people may face cognitive and psychological barriers, particularly when navigating complex transfer procedures or situations that can cause sensory overload.

Aims and Approach

The aim of the current project is to make public transport more attractive and accessible for people with special needs. To achieve this, we make use of Home Assistant, a widely adopted open-source platform for device automation and smart home applications. It is capable of processing real-time data from different sources at home in tandem with publicly available information such as departure data, railway network disruptions, elevator outages, and weather information.

Building on Home Assistant’s core functionalities, we develop a proactive auditory and visual mobility assistant and evaluate it in a pilot study. The assistant is designed to be adaptable to individual needs. For instance, different notification modalities can be used, such as light- or text-based notifications for people with hearing impairments and voice output for people with visual impairments. This allows users to receive the information they need in advance, helping them prepare for their journey and travel more safely, with less stress and fewer barriers.

Methods

A review, in-depth research into the current state of knowledge, and a needs assessment are conducted to hone the team’s expertise in accessibility. Similarly, the functionalities of Home Assistant are explored. Based on the knowledge acquired, a prototype mobility assistant is designed, developed, tested, and fed with data provided by Mobility Partners Austria (MVO). Future users are invited to give their impressions of the prototype’s usability and suitability for everyday use. Finally, the project results are presented to the public.

Results

We develop a prototype tool that enhances the accessibility of public transport services. The tool opens up new avenues, particularly for people with special needs, while also setting an example of how the mobility transition can become more inclusive and user-centered. Moreover, it is intended to inspire mobility providers to further expand and improve their services.