Real-Time Communication Onboard Vehicles for Sensory Impaired Passengers
By Rutenberg, Uwe; Hunter-Zaworski, Kate; TRANSED 2007 - 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons,Publication Date: 2007
Project investigating current technologies used onboard transport vehicles to facilitate real-time communication for passengers with sensory impairments, including the growing population of the elderly. The study outlines the communication barriers these passengers face onboard aircraft, intercity trains and Over The Road Buses (OTRBs), and discusses technologies to overcome them. Technical barriers mentioned are insufficient bandwith onboard aircraft to permit the use of wireless communication devices; monitors, video screens and LED or LCD displays of onboard communication systems offering no text or hard-to-read text simultaneously with audio; and travel information onboard trains and OTRBs delivered over PA systems with no alternative in text mode. Human-factor barriers discussed are hard- and software interfaces: Most PDAs have keys, displays and controls too small for many sensory-impaired to handle. Solutions offered include captioning of audio messages, increased bandwith onboard aircraft to permit the use of wireless devices, and PDAs designed for persons with agility and sensory impairments, e.g. a cell phone with speech-to-text input, large-display PDAs and an accessible PC for use of the blind. Technology is needed to enable the display of onboard information on passengers’ PDAs and laptops. Onboard communication technologies in development are briefly discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: MAESTRO
SAMSUNG PUSH TO TALK CELL PHONE (MODEL SGH-D357)
Published by: Transport Canada (Website:http://www.tc.gc.ca)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O16933
