New virtual assistant to make bus-stops more accessible

The new virtual assistant service at bus-stops sends information by mobile to people with disabilities who need it, providing them with more autonomy. The roll-out of the NaviLens smart tag system is also under way across the whole public transport network to help guide users by identifying stops.

16/09/2020 15:00 h

Ajuntament de Barcelona

The virtual assistant works at the city’s 2,600 bus-stops and provides information on:

  • Services which stop there.
  • Which service the next vehicle belongs to.
  • How close the next bus is.
  • If the bus has stopped and its doors are open.

Users can also alert bus drivers so they know a person with disabilities will be getting on board.

How does the assistant system work?

Electronic beacons at bus-stops send a voice notification by mobile phone to people using the TMB app with the ‘bus-stop guidance options’ function activated.

NaviLens around the whole bus network

The NaviLens smart tag system is also available around the entire bus network and a substantial part of the metro network.

Mobile phones with the app installed detect the tags at bus-stops from a distance, without having located them previously.

What information do they transmit?

  • At bus-stops: bus-stop codes, services stopping there, destinations, estimated waiting times and disruptions to services.
  • At metro-stops: access, sales points, stairs, lifts, platforms, intercoms and access points for trains.

You can find more information on active public transport apps to improve accessibility for people with disabilities at TMB and NaviLens.

 

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