Group 1 — Concept for Accessible Public Transport
This article talks about the second iteration phase of ideas which we worked in order to improve the journey map of the people with the disability while accessing public transport.
Here, we are focusing on making public transport more accessible not only for PwDs but also for the entire society. The focus is towards improving bus Transportation in Bangalore, which is run by BMTC. (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, a government agency.)
We analyzed the journey of PwD and also enacted the scenario which made us question what PwD might be going through which further gave us better insight on how to improve their experience while traveling.
Different questions which sprung up :
Scenario 1: Reached bus depot or bus stop
- Where is the information of platform number, time of my bus arrival?
Scenario 2: At the bus depot or bus stop
- Is this a correct platform, will my comes here?
Scenario 3: While boarding the bus
- Which is my bus and where does it stop?
- From which gate to board, where is my seat?
Scenario 4: Inside the bus
- How to ask for ticket?
- Is this correct ticket or not?
- What is the next stop? When do I have to de-board?
We have looked at touch points which are common in the journey and came up with 5 set of artifacts which will improve the experience of PwD while accessing public transport.
5Artefacts or touch points which, together will improve the experience of the commuters while accessing public transport are:
Accessible boards
- which are tactile — it has a common language which can be read by both able as well disabled.
Accessible Ticket booth
- Introducing ticketing booth at the bus depot and bus stop itself, which allows the PwD’s take ticket before boarding the bus. It also ensures that the bus which he or she has to board has been notified by the bus driver and conductor.
Accessible Tickets
- The design of the accessible ticket have tactile surface. The present ticket is not useful for the visually impaired person as it is just a paper with information which is not readable for him. It is also equipped with a code which can be scanned by the conductor to keep a check and help communicate easier.
Assist
- to guide people whether they are PwDs or others, to find platforms at bus depot and to help them issue tickets.
Tactile Paths
- These tactile paths will lead the PwDs to buses and different platforms at the bus depot. These paths are the dedicated path which is different from the normal surface and that helps the PwD to guide themselves towards buses or platforms.
Stakeholder Map
System Mapping
We have made system map for our proposed idea which involves accessible bus stops/depot and buses.
We have in the System Map —
- Owners & Partners:
In proposed solution, BMTC who is responsible for Bus transportation in Bangalore is the Owner. But with them Partners, for example, Non government organizations and Activists who are working for mobility of the People with Disability will keep the check and monitor the progress of making Public Transportation accessible for everyone.
- Funders:
Financial support will be given by Government of Karnataka and Private Companies to re-design the existing bus stops, bus depots and buses, to make them accessible for PwDs.
- Actors:
Assist, Driver and Conductor plays the crucial part in the proposed system. Assist are available at bus stops and bus depots who guide and help in issueing tickets to the commuters.
- Users:
Able and disables are the users who influences and use the public transportation.
Service Blueprint
Service blueprints helped us to map all the elements, features, functions and feelings with 5 different artifacts.
We believe this service design will improve the experience of the commuters and promote public transportation. This service and experience system may have few limitations and threats in practical scenarios.
As per our knowledge we have mapped few of them here and willing to discuss and improve our design in future.
