Transport for London launches competition to create accessibility apps
Transport for London (TfL) is launching a competition to create new 'Accessibility Apps'.
TfL has a great track record of helping passengers with different needs get the right information
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL
This marks the first of a series of initiatives to improve the variety of accessibility apps on offer.
As part of the competition developers are being invited to apply with ideas for a new travel app which will make Transport for London (TfL) realtime data more accessible to a far wider audience than mainstream Apple/Android apps.
The winning entries will receive development support from TfL.
Making the transport network accessible to all is a key focus for both the Mayor and TfL, and lots of work has taken place over recent years to deliver a range of accessibility improvements.
Passengers have benefited from recent technological innovations including on-bus audio/visual announcements, Countdown bus arrival information, Wi-Fi in many Tube and Overground stations and an online resource showing stations with step-free access and giving advice on avoiding stairs and the best ways to navigate the transport network.
New lifts have been installed on the Tube, many more bus stops have been made accessible and wide aisle gates, raised platform sections and manual boarding ramps have been introduced to make getting around easier.
Many people used these to successfully plan and undertake their journeys during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Open data
Increasing public access to information is another priority area, with TfL's open data policy allowing developers to use its published dynamic data (known as 'APIs') free of charge.
Most recently TfL launched its latest API with supported access to London's live bus arrival information.
TfL is looking for applications from developers which will make it easier for disabled and older people to travel around the transport network.
The proposed apps should look at:
- Physical ease of use (including making it easy to use the touchscreen and 'dynamic' elements)
- Clarity of information (to help people who are unfamiliar with technology, or have difficulty understanding apps or travel information)
- Integration with other assistive technology features (for example using text to speech, zoom facilities, voice control)
- Compatibility with a wide range of devices
The judging panel will choose three applications that are considered to be innovative and offer value of use in one or more areas of accessibility to receive support to turn them into a live product.
Winners will be announced in autumn 2013 and the new accessibility apps will be released into the market at this time.
This competition is the first stage of an engagement plan with developers to produce new accessible journey planning tools.
The next stage will see the Step-Free Tube Guide data made available digitally for the first time in summer 2013.
Different needs
TfL is aware that planning a step-free journey on the Tube can sometimes be confusing and this initiative will enable developers to produce more user-friendly versions of this information in order to make step-free journeys simpler for disabled and older people.
The OneVoice ICT Coalition 'the voice for ICT accessibility and usability' is promoting the competition with TfL.
OneVoice has developed guidelines for accessibly applications and will specify the principles and governance behind this project.
Support and advice has also been given by a number of organisations, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Guide Dogs and Transport for All.
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: 'TfL has a great track record of helping passengers with different needs get the right information.
'We have audio and visual announcements on all Tubes, trains and buses.
'Now we want to go even further - using the most imaginative solutions and the latest technology to take the accessibility of London's transport network to the next level.
'This new initiative should enable real time service arrivals and disruption information to reach a much wider group of people in a shorter time with partners tuned to passengers' individual needs.'
Innovative technology
Peter Abrahams, OneVoice ICT, said: 'This is a great challenge for app developers to show how existing data can be provided to disabled people so that it is easy to request and provide the most relevant information.
'The developers may wish to consider what other data feeds, or particular functions of the mobile device may enhance the user experience for people with specific disabilities.
'OneVoice look forward to seeing some innovative users of the technology.'
For more information about the competition, details of how to enter and a full list of terms and conditions, please see theDeveloper's Area of the TfL website.
Entrants will have the opportunity to submit designs until 30 August 2013 and the winners will be announced at the end of September.
Notes to editors:
- TfL is committed to continuing to make transport in the Capital accessible to all. The network currently includes:
- A fleet of 8,500 accessible buses fitted with automatic wheelchair ramps
- The iBus audio-visual system to help those with impaired vision or hearing travel more easily
- A total of 136 step-free stations including an entirely step-free Docklands Light Railway network
- Seventy per cent of the Capital's bus stops are now fully accessible (with 95 per cent to be completed by 2016)
- Every taxi is fitted with a wheelchair ramp
- In addition there are a variety of individually tailored travel options to help passengers get around - including the accessible Dial-a-Ride door to door service and an extensive travel mentoring scheme
- Entries should offer users the richest possible experience of real time information in London, focusing on users with accessibility issues using the growing library of data sources from TfL and other transport agencies
- TfL and OneVoice ICT will be inviting representatives from disability organisations, and the GLA to join the judging panel
- TfL will produce a press release and other marketing and press material about the winning designs but will not endorse third party applications