Carriage Way Finding Stage II

Navigation through a train station is a complex task for train passengers, especially the

passengers with visual impairment issues and other kind of disabilities. Hence, the train

operators are looking for practical, cost effective and smart Way-Finding technologies to

improve platform access, safety and the travel experience for all passengers. Such

technologies will equip the passenger operators to extend the accessibility of a comfort rail

services to the passengers with reduced mobility. Disability access to rail services is a

strategically important issue for the rail industry considering the fact that the disabled

population constitutes nearly 20% of total Australian population. In particular, it is essential to

solve the navigational issues experienced by visually impaired passengers (including

deafblind), since nearly 52% of Australian population reported having problems with

eyesight, long and short sighted issues. Similarly, the difficulties experienced by people who

cannot read/write or read/write in English (including tourists) have to be addressed.

Targeting these two kinds of passengers will significantly reduce the complexity/ size of the

navigational issues. The previous scoping study (R3.116) on this way-finding issue has

qualitatively reviewed the technologies that are currently available in the market. Hence, the

proposed project aims to conduct a comprehensive study via a quantitative approach and

identify the most appropriate technology. A methodology will be developed to analyse,

validate and select the technology. The technologies will be evaluated with reference to the

existing regulatory requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act, the exemptions

provided to the rail industry by the Australian Human Rights Commission and Accessible

Rail Services Code of Practice developed by the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board.

In addition a systematic plan for implementation of the selected technology will be

suggested. Selection and implementation of similar/same technologies will help achieve a

consistency in carriage way finding procedure/ infrastructure across the country.