Being able to travel independently and confidently by bus or train is essential for many blind and partially sighted people. If you can't drive, then you often need to rely on public transport to get you to work, health appointments, shops or to visit family and friends.
RNIB React can help with supporting people in getting out and about. It's only part of a wider solution though, so do get in touch if you need help with your online timetables, journey maps, customer letters or promotion of your existing services.
At the bus stop
Finding out if you are at the right bus stop or when your next bus is due has caused problems for many people who are unable to read the signs at bus stops. But the new display signs that are fed by GPS or central databases have offered an opportunity for improved information provision.
Some signs at bus stops have audio output but it may be pre-recorded. Or you need to find the post and press a button to hear it. RNIB React takes this development a step further. With RNIB React you get the same information that is on the display and the system is set off by a trigger fob so you don't need to press any buttons.
It's ideal for giving information around the bus station, on bus stops or shelters to tell people which stop they are standing at, and to give the RTI information about the next buses to arrive.
For systems where you don't have speakers built into the sign, we can link a full RNIB React unit in, as we did in Brighton and Hove. But if you have speakers already then we can talk to you about our new RNIB React trigger board. This is a lower cost option, which is a great for installations requiring large numbers of talking signs and maximises your existing RTI installation.
The RNIB React trigger board was developed with the leading RTI/RTPI display manufacturers across Europe and is already included in some procurement tenders.
Call 01733 37 53 45 or email busdev@rnib.org.uk to find out more about how RNIB React can work with your display signs, or to enable more people with print disabilities to use your buses.
At the train station
Most train stations provide audio announcements for the next trains to arrive. But getting to the right platform and finding the help button, or avoiding the platform edge can still be problematic for blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB React can help to overcome these problems by giving audio announcements specific to the location of the speaker unit. It's been used to advise customers on routes to take around the s
tation, which platform they are on, and where the help points are. Although it's helpful in stations that have staff, we've also heard that it can help people to use unstaffed stations in more rural areas.
It's currently in a number of First ScotRail stations and we're fully supporting the roll out to more stations in the UK.
We've also noticed that "silent stations" are being created around the UK. In these stations, there are no announcements other than essential emergency ones. But that means that anyone travelling needs to be able to read the screens to find out which platform they need to get to, and to find out about any delays or platform changes. This has obvious problems for blind and partially sighted people. RNIB React can help in silent stations by providing audio announcements but only on-demand and localised to the speaker unit that has been triggered.
Call 01733 37 53 45 or email busdev@rnib.org.uk to find out more about how RNIB React can benefit your train station.
Airports and ports...
So far we've focused on RNIB React solutions for buses and trains, because they have a daily impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted people. But RNIB React can be used in other transport settings, including airports and ports. So if you work in these areas and want to discuss how it could work for you, please call 01733 37 53 45 or email busdev@rnib.org.uk