Understanding Visually Impaired Tramway Passengers Interaction with Public Transport Systems

Fuente: arXiv
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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mimra, Dominik, Kaar, Dominik, Del Re, Enrico, Certad, Novel, Varughese, Joshua Cherian, Seibt, David, Olaverri-Monreal, Cristina
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866910986539106304
author Mimra, Dominik
Kaar, Dominik
Del Re, Enrico
Certad, Novel
Varughese, Joshua Cherian
Seibt, David
Olaverri-Monreal, Cristina
author_facet Mimra, Dominik
Kaar, Dominik
Del Re, Enrico
Certad, Novel
Varughese, Joshua Cherian
Seibt, David
Olaverri-Monreal, Cristina
contents Designing inclusive public transport services is crucial to developing modern, barrier-free smart city infrastructure. This research contributes to the design of inclusive public transport by considering accessibility challenges emerging from socio-technical systems, thus demanding the integration of technological and social solutions. Using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as a theoretical framework and a mixed-method approach, including shadowing and a focus group, this study examines the socio-technical networks that shape accessibility experiences for visually impaired passengers utilizing the tram in Linz, Austria. Key dimensions that influence public transport accessibility are identified: network configuration, mobility patterns, technology integration, and warning systems. The results show that accessibility emerges from complex interactions between human actors (passengers, staff) and non-human actors (assistive devices, infrastructure) rather than being an inherent property of transport systems. Digital technologies serve multiple functions, from navigational assistance to broader social inclusion, although users comfort with technology varies. Participants emphasized the importance of the two-sense principle for warning signals, with directional audio and tactile feedback particularly valuable.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_03687
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Understanding Visually Impaired Tramway Passengers Interaction with Public Transport Systems
Mimra, Dominik
Kaar, Dominik
Del Re, Enrico
Certad, Novel
Varughese, Joshua Cherian
Seibt, David
Olaverri-Monreal, Cristina
Human-Computer Interaction
Designing inclusive public transport services is crucial to developing modern, barrier-free smart city infrastructure. This research contributes to the design of inclusive public transport by considering accessibility challenges emerging from socio-technical systems, thus demanding the integration of technological and social solutions. Using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as a theoretical framework and a mixed-method approach, including shadowing and a focus group, this study examines the socio-technical networks that shape accessibility experiences for visually impaired passengers utilizing the tram in Linz, Austria. Key dimensions that influence public transport accessibility are identified: network configuration, mobility patterns, technology integration, and warning systems. The results show that accessibility emerges from complex interactions between human actors (passengers, staff) and non-human actors (assistive devices, infrastructure) rather than being an inherent property of transport systems. Digital technologies serve multiple functions, from navigational assistance to broader social inclusion, although users comfort with technology varies. Participants emphasized the importance of the two-sense principle for warning signals, with directional audio and tactile feedback particularly valuable.
title Understanding Visually Impaired Tramway Passengers Interaction with Public Transport Systems
topic Human-Computer Interaction
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.03687