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Transit Communications Accessibility Gaps

This project funded by the US Department of Education aims to research communication gaps in transit agencies that can lead to inaccessible information. It explores methods such as cell phones, laptops, specialized devices, and real-time information systems. This initiative is driven by a team from WGBH and Oregon State University, led by experts in accessible media and transportation. They examine standards like APTA/TCIP, Google's GTFS, CEN's SIRI, and Nextbus to improve accessibility and user experience. The project also focuses on app accessibility, with a survey to understand industry practices and policies. While many transit apps exist, their accessibility varies, highlighting the need for uniform standards and monitoring by agencies.

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Transit Communications Accessibility Gaps

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  1. Transit Communications Accessibility Gaps Madeleine Rothberg Trisha O'Connell Marcia Brooks Geoff Freed WGBH National Center for Accessible Media Katharine Hunter-Zaworski, Ph.D. P.E. National Center for Accessible Transportation, Oregon State University

  2. Context Changing world demographics: aging population Increase in mobility by all Increased use of personal communication devices Increased deployment of real-time information systems Funded by the US Department of Education, National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research Researching the chain of communication from inside a transit agency all the way to the traveler Documenting the gaps that can result in inaccessible information

  3. Cell phone receiving text Laptop viewing web page Information screen in an airport Specialized handheld accessible train schedule Seat-back display on a train Real time information

  4. Standards: APTA/TCIP American Public Transportation Association’sTransit Communications Interface Profiles Common Public Transport Scheduling Passenger Information Transit Signal Priority Control Center Onboard Systems Spatial Referencing Fare Collection Stores data in text Has Customer Profiles for device preferences Large, complex data format

  5. Standards: Google’s GTFS General Transit Feed Specification Routes and schedules Integrated with Google Maps or used for other feeds Suitable for use in mobile apps for checking schedules and route planning No real-time data

  6. Standards: CEN’s SIRI Service Interface for Real Time Information For exchanging information about the planned, current or projected performance of real-time public transport operations between different computer systems Used in UK and Europe Beginning to show up in the U.S.

  7. Standards: Nextbus Nextbus Private company which contracts with transit systems Uses GPS data and proprietary prediction software Provides predictions for next 3 buses in XML for use by apps and websites Has their own accessible Web interface Nearly 60 transit systems and universities

  8. Apps for Transit Info Many apps now available, widgets, Web pages, etc. Many developed by freelancers or for contests Accessibility varies We tested some apps for iPhone with VoiceOver Some use maps as primary UI, don’t work with screen readers Some have unlabeled buttons Others are somewhat accessible but can be inefficient Regions that constantly update

  9. Research NCAM and NCAT are creating a survey for transit industry professionals Determine which standards are in use What accessibility policies exist for communication? For developing or outsourcing apps? Are different information sources updated from the same data source? At the same time? Signs in terminal/station, signs on bus/train, audio announcements, Web site, app data, Twitter…

  10. Research Do agencies monitor, test, or otherwise keep track of the apps that use their data? Pluses include: Rapid deployment Little/no cost to transit agency 100s of apps on iTunes Possible problems could include: Data errors Delays in updating to new schedules “Orphaned" apps Lack of accessibility in the apps

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