OnBoard:
Bus Identification Device, Pilot Trials on BEST Mumbai, February – April 2015
Device to
help visually impaired persons board buses
We invite you for a demonstration of OnBoard -- a bus identification device in
the presence of Dr Jagdish Patil, General Manager, BEST, and other dignitaries
Venue: Electric House (BEST headquarters), Near Regal Cinema, Colaba, Mumbai
(Conference Room, 1st Floor). Entry from Gate Number 9.Date: April 17, 2015Time
11 am to 12 noon
OnBoard is globally a
first-of-its-kind device developed by ASSISTECH Group, IIT Delhi that
facilitates boarding of public buses by visually impaired persons. The device
helps users to not only identify the route number but also to locate the door
of the bus, thus addressing their needs comprehensively.
The Device
The device works on radio frequency
and consists of a very affordable, small user module and a bus module with a
speaker fitted next to the front door of the bus. The system has a very simple
user interface.
Partners
Apart from BEST, both Xavier’s
Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), Mumbai and Mumbai First
have played a key role, taking the initiative to organize the trials in Mumbai.
XRCVC has not only organized the users including their training and feedback
but also provided all logistical support to the team from IIT Delhi to conduct
the trials. XRCVC has undertaken this initiative as part of Project Access
along with Sightsavers. Mumbai First has helped in setting up meetings with key
BEST officials to ensure a seamless coordination of the operation.
Background
The device was first tested with a
small number of users on cluster buses operated by DIMTS in Delhi. The Mumbai
trials was the first instance when a full scale real life unsupervised testing
of the system has been undertaken. The trials have been conducted for more than
two months starting 31st Jan 2015 and concluding on 8th
April 2015. During this period two phases of testing were undertaken. The first
phase saw OnBoard units fixed on 16 buses on route numbers 121 and 134 which
led to over 100 supervised boardings by visually impaired persons.
The second full scale phase of the
trials saw the units fixed on all of the 24 BEST buses covering route numbers
121 and 134 operated from BEST Backbay depot. Nearly 20 visually impaired users
conducted nearly 350 unsupervised boardings during this phase, establishing the
utility of the device in real settings. The pilot trials of the project were
largely funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST) under their TIDE
(Technology Interventions for the Disabled and Elderly) scheme. The balance
funding was routed through the Project Access – an XRCVC-Sightsavers
Initiative. The project now aims at approaching both government as well as
corporate houses for funding the next round of trials.
Preliminary
Trial Results
The initial trends from the Mumbai
trials have reflected the following:
§ Users have shown an overall
increased independence in boarding public transport buses.
§ As a result of independence in
travel, users have exhibited great levels of satisfaction about the experience
and are looking forward to speedy real time deployment of the system, as there
has been a near unanimous agreement on the need and use of such a system for
independent travel by the blind and low vision commuters.
§ Through the trials, there has been
increased awareness and sensitization of the BEST drivers and conductors on the
said routes as also the Backbay depot staff, who have also shown great
satisfaction with the system and keenness on the BEST being able to take this
up to facilitate independence for the blind and low vision commuters.
§ The trials have reflected very good
quality feedback both in terms of the users as also BEST staff on real life
modifications necessary in the device that will go a long way in improving the
system for the next phase.
§ Along with testing for this system
which helps in independent boarding, two clear needs have been highlighted in a
lot of user feedback to make the entire travel experience holistically
independent and accessible.
i.
The
user’s ability to independently identify the bus stop on the ground when
reaching the stop for boarding and access to data of which routes come on the
bus stop.
ii.
The
need to make the deboarding experience accessible (in terms of the user being
able to identify the approaching bus stops.
Follow
Up on Trials
The report based on the analysis of
the trial data is expected to be ready by July 2015. This period would also be
used to
improve the design by incorporating the feedback obtained in these trials. The
logical next step would be to scale up the trials with a larger number of buses
as well as users.
Here is some feedback from users
Vivekanand Manthalkar, an aviation sector employee
from Navi Mumbai, said, “Hats off to everybody involved. This would make life
much easier while commuting.”
Trupti Vazirani, a banking professional from Kandivali, Mumbai, said,
“This device has added advantages. Conductors hear the device and come right to
the front of the bus to make sure
we have bought our tickets. The driver too waits for us to board the buses.”
Deepak Kumar Jaiswal, a student of St Xavier’s
College, Mumbai, said, “It is a wonderful initiative and will definitely bring
a great
change in our lives.”
Ekinath Khedekar, a management professional from Kopar Khairane, Navi
Mumbai,said, “I felt the sense of independence and enjoyed waiting at the bus
stop for
a change.”
And here's what the developers and partners said about the project
Prof. M. Balakrishnan, Principal Investigator and Mentor, ASSISTECH, IIT Delhi:
It was due to the initiative of Mumbai First, efforts of XRCVC in user
engagement, the facilitation provided by BEST and sponsorship provided by DST
under their TIDE program, that has made this pilot trial possible. Nearly 350
unsupervised boardings by around 20 users over the last two months have given
us immense confidence as well as feedback to take the project forward. We do
hope this partnership would continue till we are able to successfully meet this
key mobility challenge of visually impaired.Dr. Sam Taraporevala, Director,
XRCVC: The XRCVC is committed to promoting independent living for the visually
challenged. This collaborative report we hope will actively contribute towards
ensuring that the commuting experience will soon become pleasanter for the
visually challenged.Dr. Jagdish Patil, General Manager, BEST: The BEST is
committed for safe and comfortable travel experience to all our commuters. We
are very happy to collaborate with ASSISTECH Group (IIT Delhi), Xavier’s
Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) and Mumbai First to
promote ‘On board’, a first-of-its kind device that facilitates boarding of
public buses by Visually Impaired persons.Shishir Joshi, CEO, Mumbai First:
Convenience of travel, or the lack of it, is arguably the single largest
contributor to the stress levels of the Mumbai commuter. It is important that
every segment should deservedly have ease of commute. At Mumbai First, we are
glad we are contributing in our way to make Mumbai a better place for its
citizens to live and travel better.
Ketan Kothari, Manager (Advocacy) Sightsavers India: This trial will go a long
way in ensuring accessibility of the most trusted road public transport system
in the city of Mumbai.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Sam Taraporevala
XRCVC, St. Xavier’s College,
5, Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai- 400001
Tel : 022-22623298/22626329/
9967028769
Email: [email protected] Website: www.xrcvc.org
Prof. M. Balakrishnan,
Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering,
Room no. 503, 4th floor, Block II A, Department of
Computer Science and Engineering,Bharti School of IT, IIT Delhi, Indian
Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
Tel: 011 -2659 6080
Email: [email protected] Website:
http://assistech.iitd.ernet.in/index.php
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