Giving access to bus travel information
On 21 August 2007, Brighton and Hove Council and RNIB launched the innovative talking sign system, RNIB React.
The Mayor, Councillor Carol Theobald, launched the newly developed real-time information system, unique to Brighton and Hove, at Brighton Town Hall.
The launch was a great success, with council members and individuals (who had been engaged by the council to trial the system) all turning up to show their support for the launch.
How does RNIB React help?
Sighted bus passengers have become familiar with real time bus information boards that show the exact time of buses arriving at their bus stop.
Now blind and partially sighted people can take advantage of the same system.
By simply carrying a small trigger fob they are able to get audible announcements telling them which bus stop they are at. When they press a button on the fob they will also hear which buses are coming and when they are due to arrive.
The audible announcements are installed at 20 bus stops in Brighton and two in East Sussex.
Feedback so far…
Chairman of the city council's environment committee Geoffrey Theobald said:
"The idea for the scheme came from Councillor Brian Pidgeon, whose wife has a visual impairment, so we are thrilled that it is now up and running.
"It will mean that bus passengers with a visual impairment won't have to ask their fellow passengers where they are and which bus is coming - they'll be able to access that information themselves.
"Measures like this give people more confidence about using public transport - and we're the first in the country to do it with orientation messages as well as providing real time information."
Who was involved?
Brighton & Hove City Council has worked in partnership with RNIB, Siemens VDO, Siemens Traffic Controls, SFX Technologies and Atkins Consultancy to provide the technology and ensure equal access to the bus stop signs for blind and partially sighted people.
Considerable development work was required by all to pull together the innovative technology to present a system that can give orientation information and up to date bus information in audio.
And the future?
Brighton and Hove Council are looking to extend the system. Feedback from users is key to encouraging councils, like Brighton and Hove, to do more.
To ensure that a consistent service is provided throughout the UK the RNIB intends to continue to develop the RNIB React system as part of a national standard. This will enable other councils that install real-time information systems to use the same technology throughout the UK.
What is RNIB React?
RNIB React is the talking sign system that helps people who are blind and partially sighted find their way around town centres, safely and independently. When linked to real time information signs, it can also help people decide which bus or train they want to catch.
Contact us
Business Development Team
RNIB Innovation and Development
Phone 01733 37 53 45
Email
busdev@rnib.org.uk