An excerpt on the Benefits of VIC System

Benefits of VIC System

1. Reduce Cost of Manufacturing Tokens

As compared to other current implementations such as those in India and the United Kingdom, instead of a RFID tag or token, our proposed solution provides a cheaper alternative as we utilize an ez-link card. The cost of manufacturing an ez-link card is much lower than a RFID tag or token. The cost to manufacture an ez-link card is $10 as compared to the manufacturing cost of a RFID tag or token of $120.  

2. Self-Reliance

With the implementation of our system, the visually impaired can now have better access to public buses and also have a burden lifted off their shoulders. They can now have another option of assistance when boarding the buses instead of having to constantly ask for help nearby. This might help them feel better about themselves seeing that at least they can try to board buses by themselves without having to trouble others.

An excerpt on the Proposed Visually Impaired Communications (VIC) System

Proposed Solution - VIC System

The solution that the team proposed is a system which involves the installation of a kiosk at every bus stop in Singapore. This system is called the Visually Impaired Communications (VIC) system of which the visually impaired is required to have a customised ez-link card to use the kiosk.

Tactile flooring is strategically placed at both side entrance into the bus stop and leading up to the kiosk.

Figure 2: An example of tactile flooring implementation

The VIC system begins with the visually impaired interacting with the kiosk. The visually impaired is required to tap the customised ez-link card to use the kiosk. This customised ez-link card will be designed specially for the visually impaired and they can register for one at various ticketing offices located islandwide.

The visually impaired has the luxury of having two options when using the kiosk. The first option is for the visually impaired who are well familiarised with their surroundings and knows which bus to take to his desired destination. The visually impaired can then proceed to press the buttons fitted with braille which represents the bus numbers that are available at the bus stop and wait for the bus to arrive. The second option is for the visually impaired who require further information on the buses available or bus routes. They can proceed to locate and use the kiosk to communicate with a transport staff to request for more information. The transport staff will then proceed to inform the nearest desired bus driver.

Figure 3: A close view of the kiosk

The bus will then be required to stop at the head of the bus stop. Upon arrival, announcements will be made via speakers on the outside of the bus to notify the visually impaired. The bus driver will disembark and provide assistance for the visually impaired if they require additional assistance.

Figure 4: Process Flow of the VIC System

An excerpt on the Current Implementations for the Visually Impaired to board buses

Current Implementations for the Visually Impaired to board buses

As Singapore is currently lacking in facilities that help aid the visually impaired navigate and board buses, my team decided to look overseas and research on how other countries cope with such issues. Mentioned below are a few examples of systems being used in other countries.

1. ‘Passenger Bus Alert’ System

According to a research conducted in India by Gholap (2015), the Passenger Bus Alert System begins with the visually impaired approaching the bus stop with an RFID tag. Upon arrival, the RF unit at the bus stop will recognize the signals sent by the RFID tag and proceed to communicate with any nearby buses. It also mentioned that when the bus reaches, the Light Emitting Diode (LED) on board will be switched on, indicating to the driver of the presence of a visually impaired at the bus stop. Thereafter, the buzzer on the bus will be activated to alert the visually impaired that the bus has arrived. Furthermore, the bus routes will be also announced via speaker to the visually impaired. (Sen, 2015)

2. ‘Talking Bus Stop’ System

According to SPD (2014), persons with visual impairment can make use of the ‘Talking Bus Stop’ system to access real time bus information, such as which bus stop they are at, which buses are coming and when the buses are due to arrive. Speakers installed at the bus stops will be triggered to announce the appropriate bus information when a visually impaired approaches with a key fob.

 

Figure 1: United Kingdom’s Talking Bus Stop system