An Interactive Wireless Communication System for Visually Impaired People Using City Bus Transport

• Main Authors: Hsiao-Lan Wang, Ya-Ping Chen, Chi-Lun Rau, Chung-Huang Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014-04-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: wireless communication; visual impairment; public transportation
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/11/5/4560

Visually impaired people have difficulty accessing information about public transportation systems. Several systems have been developed for assisting visually impaired and blind people to use the city bus. Most systems provide only one-way communication and require high-cost and complex equipment. The purpose of this study is to reduce the difficulties faced by visually impaired people when taking city buses, using an interactive wireless communication system. The system comprised a user module and a bus module to establish a direct one-to-one connection. When the user inputs 4-digit numbers, the user module immediately sends out the information. If the bus module receives the matched bus number, it buzzes and the warning LED flashes to notify the bus driver that someone is waiting to board on the bus. User tests were conducted by two visually impaired people in a simulated vehicle and a city bus. The success rate of interactive wireless communication, recognizing the arrival of the bus and boarding the correct bus reached 100% in all of the tests. The interactive wireless communication aid system is a valid and low-cost device for assisting visually impaired people to use city buses.