In an industry first, South Western Railway (SWR) has embarked on a trial of new, cutting-edge technology which enables people with sight loss to navigate train stations with greater ease. The train company is trialling the myEyes app, which uses Near Field Technology, the same technology that allows contactless payment by mobile phone, to provide audio directions. These directions guide customers from the station entrance to the SWR Assisted Boarding Points on platforms, where they can get help to board their train with as little as 10 minutes notice.
How does the app work?
Once a customer activates the app, Bluetooth beacons installed across the station will ‘track’ the device in question. By identifying exactly where the customer is in the station, the app passes them from beacon to beacon, telling them which direction stairs or lifts are and other useful information such as where the ticket office is in.
How long is the trial?
The trial, which started on 1 August, will run for three months at Vauxhall and Putney stations before potentially being rolled out at other stations across the SWR network.
Is the app getting support from the blindness community?
RNIB, the UK’s leading sight loss charity, is supporting SWR’s drive to make it easier for blind and partially sighted people to find their way around stations.
The myEyes technology has been installed by Self Energy Ltd as the second project of their Sustainability Development Goals programme to extend their sustainability focus to include inclusion and accessibility.
A video on the SWR trial can be found below.
