Inclusive Design Strategies to Enhance Inclusivity for All in Public Transportation - A Case Study on a Railway Station

Abstract

The way traffic information is presented is not optimal for all travellers despite that, transportation systems should be accessible to everyone. The purpose of this study was to investigate how people with various disabilities perceive, experience and need audible and visible traffic information when travelling, especially at railway stations. The goal was to propose ideas on how to improve the accessibility of traffic information. Elderly and people with hearing or visual impairment were studied using online surveys. Observations were also made at the central railway station in Gothenburg, Sweden. The results showed various user demands on how traffic information should be presented to be available and suitable. Visual information screens, mobile phones and spoken information were the mostly used information sources. In general, there are too few information screens and the applications on mobile phones are updated too slowly. During traffic disturbances there are too many announcements and the quality is perceived as poor. The background noise is noticed as too loud. To conclude, it is outmost important to include user experience in the design decisions regarding information flow. The following strategies are proposed for improvement: The number and placement of visual screens should be increased, the content, length and formulations of the audial announcements should be revised, implementation of attention signals should be introduced to alert travellers of new information, and mobile applications should achieve better coherence with the visual and spoken information sources. Quiet zones should be investigated to offer reduced background noise.