The Ultimate Guide to Pedestrian Wayfinding: Understand the Needs and Take Action in Your City

The Ultimate Guide to Pedestrian Wayfinding: Understand the Needs and Take Action in Your City

The Ultimate Guide to Pedestrian Wayfinding: Understand the Needs and Take Action in Your City

 

Have you ever got lost in the city or in a complex building? With the densification of urban areas good wayfinding systems are a major step to empower pedestrians. To boost the population’s walkability, best practices wayfinding solutions encourage and enable people to walk more often to more destinations.

This article brings together all the information you must know to meet the needs of all populations, the existing solutions and how to implement them in your city. You will then have all the keys to take action and help all the citizens to get their bearings, regardless of their disability, age and knowledge of the area.

Let’s empower all the pedestrians!

Why pedestrian wayfinding is important in a city?

 

Wayfinding systems for pedestrians are essential in cities as they give information about the environment and enable a smooth and coherent walk. They provide accurate, clear and quality information allowing to streamline the flow and make citizens as autonomous as possible.

According to SEGD, Wayfinding refers to “information systems that guide people through a physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the space”.

Wayfinding solutions give the right information at the right time and enable people to easily build a mental map of an area. They make the environment readable and navigable. Using wayfinding systems also help improving the user experience and pleasure for pedestrian visitors.

Wayfinding systems also encourage the walk. In cities walking is crucial as it helps reduce pollution and climate change. It also improves personal health. In addition, a pedestrian will be more likely to consume than a person by car, thus directly impacting the economy of a city. From a social point of view, walking promotes equality and strengthens social bonds between inhabitants. Finally, walking in the city makes it easier for people to use bicycles and public transport.

In other words, the information provided by wayfinding systems has a major impact on the economic, social and well-being of all.

 

What are pedestrian wayfinding needs?

 

The basic need in terms of pedestrian wayfinding is to be able to navigate in the public and private space to reach a destination. Go from point A to point B without encountering any difficulty in finding one’s way and without getting lost.

When a person moves on foot, all his senses are awake. A pedestrian wayfinding system delivers sensory cues. It can solicit sight thanks to visual signage, audition by the transmission of sound information, olfaction with the orientation by the smells etc.

A conventional pedestrian wayfinding system therefore meets the primary need for orientation and safety using sensory information.

We will now review the needs of users according to their situation. Please click on the situation that better suits you:

 

Residents of a city that doesn’t have any disbility need occasional help in case of uncertainty. Wayfinding solutions then fills a grey area for example when the person doesn’t know the neighborhood well or if roadworks change the usual walking route.

A resident doesn’t need to be guided step by step but rather have a glimpse of the global journey to reassure himself in the choice of the walking itinerary. He will rely on familiar landmarks to get his way round.

Non-resident persons without disability are little familiar with their environment and therefore need help to find their way round the city. Business travelers need to find their hotel and their place of work. Tourists need to know the location of touristic places to visit, to discover the city and to know where they are. They all need to be guided step by step for the duration of their stay.

In addition to the needs of sighted people, blind pedestrians have specific needs due to their disability.

First of all, they need to appeal to a different sense than sight to find their way. Blind people necessitate non-visual cues such as tactile or auditory cues.

Another need is to feel safe while walking. Without sight, the danger is more difficult to apprehend. Wayfinding systems make it possible to overcome the visual deficit by providing clues soliciting other senses.

A blind person also needs to be able to preview his itinerary step by step before departure. Knowing the key steps is essential to anticipate changes of directions, pedestrian crossings, number of bus stations etc.

The need for reassurance and comfort in moving is also essential. A person who does not see wants to know if the path he is taking is the right one.

Finally, the need for autonomy is also essential to take into account. A blind or visually impaired person wants to be able to move alone without having to seek the help of a third person.

People with physical disabilities need to go to a destination based on their motor skills. They need to know where to go to find accessible sidewalks, elevators, slopes, etc. The importance of having a path adapted to their disability is essential.

Wheelchair users have low visibility due to their height. They need information within reach. They also have the desire to be empowered and to be completely sure that the route is accessible before following a path.

Deaf people need visual information to walk safely. Visual guidance is indeed important to meet their needs. Allowing them to get a view of their destination point is very helpful.

media

The information provided by wayfinding systems has a major impact on the economic, social and well-being of all.

writer

Zoe Gervais

Zoe Gervais

Content Manager

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

Complex built environment and city managers are looking for lower guided assistance costs. The economic challenge also lies in welcoming tourists. A city that informs its tourists favors its economy.

In addition, conveying a strong image by taking into account all types of disabilities is often challenging for decision makers.

Decision-makers and site managers therefore have an economic and image need to meet.

For signage installers, the set-up and the maintenance must be easy and accessible. Power connection must be minimal. They also need solutions that respect the standards of the public space: high, hygiene, solidity etc.

For digital solution designers, mapping updates must be made on a regular basis.

What are the existing wayfinding solutions?

 

After reviewing and understanding the needs of different groups of the population, let’s talk about existing wayfinding solutions from around the world.

Please click on the solution to access the information:

• Human solutions

Help of passersby

Benefit for end-user: human contact

Drawbacks for end-users : not reliable, not always easy to go up to a stranger in the street, impossible when there isn’t any one to ask

Wheelchair and guided assistance

Benefits for end-user: human contact, reliable, reassuring, less stressing

Drawbacks for end-users : less autonomy, need to book ahead, less spontaneity

Benefits for site managers: gives a positive image, complies with the law

Drawbacks for site managers: expensive, resource-intensive, takes time, misuse and abuse from people

• Visual solutions

Classic or connected signage

Benefits for end-user: allows to find one’s bearings with ease

Drawbacks for end-users: possible contrasts problems, too high, not multilingual, impossible to understand when illiterate, hard to update, can be poorly positioned, no audio information, infrequent

 

Benefits for decision-maker: streamlines human flows, attracts tourists

Drawback for decision-makers: costly maintenance, vandalism, update

• Audio solutions

Audio beacons

Navigueo+ HIFI…

Benefits for end-user: guidance and vocalization of the information, variety of audio messages, most efficient solution for blind people to walk independently and to find landmarks

Drawbacks for end-users: beacons need to be named well by the site manager, the triggering application is energy consuming

Benefits for decision-makers: accessibility of the place, attracts more visitors, proven effectiveness, connected device

 

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS)

aBeacon

Benefits for end-users: pedestrian safety, customizable, some Accessible Pedestrian Signals indicate the name of the streets, autonomy

Drawbacks for end-users: Accessible Pedestrian Signals that don’t require a remote control or a smartphone activation are noisy

Benefits for decision-makers: easy to install as they are compliant with all pedestrian signals, affordable, reduces noise pollution, ready for standards laws and needs, provides urban connectivity

• Digital solutions

Outdoor journey planner

Google maps, Apple maps, Bing maps, Here WeGo, Maps.me, Qwant Maps, Osmand

Benefits for end-users: allows to know its location in real time, preferred features

Drawbacks for end-users: mapping is not always intuitive, doesn’t work indoor

Drawbacks for designers: needs to be updated on a regular basis

 

Indoor mapping

Evelity, MapWise, MazeMap

Benefits for end-users: ability to get information about an indoor location, step by step or from points of interests guidance, connection using other technologies than outdoor navigation app, customizable information according to personal preferences

Benefits for decision-makers: long-term savings over wheelchair/guided assistance and signage

Other digital pedestrian wayfinding solutions

How to Implement a Wayfinding Solution? 10 Steps to Take Action!

 

  1. Understand the needs and expectations from users: start from analyzing the needs of people with disabilities who have specific needs to expand to all audiences. Understand the needs of the users according to the people who visit the place (daily users, occasional, punctual). For each type of person arise different needs and problems,
  2. Analyse the environment: strengths and weaknesses of the environment. Take into account the constraints of the place,
  3. Consult with users: interview the end-users to confirm their needs, take time to get to know them, follow them in their journeys etc. This will allow to understand the mobility chain and solve all the problems encountered in their journeys,
  4. Choose the wayfinding solution that best fits the needs of the audience: human, visual, audio or digital,
  5. Choose the guiding solution: for digital solutions, the choice of guiding solution is important. It can be a step-by-step or strategic landmarks guidance,
  6. Prototype the solution,
  7. Test the solution with end users: use the Agile method in order to keep all the stakeholders involved in the development cycle. Have the solution tested at several stages of creation process,
  8. Produce the solution: use designers to create the best wayfinding solution possible,
  9. Develop the solution: this step requires technical skills inherent to the choice of guidance system,
  10. Install the solution: even for most digital solutions, on-site installation is required. It can range from beacon installation as landmarks to the installation of signage.

You now have all the keys to set up pedestrian wayfinding solutions in your city. Keep in mind that an accessible system for blind people will also be accessible for everyone. So, design for the most vulnerable people and you will reach everyone.

Over the past 50 years, most wayfindings systems were orientated for drivers. People on foot have been forgotten. The 21st century stakes have evolved especially because of climate change, fuel prices, personal health, obesity and urban livability. Pedestrian wayfinding is one of the solutions that answers to all of these major issues.

As a decision-maker, help make your city more walkable, legible and liveable for everyone!

If you like this article, you will also like this one: Making Public Transport Information Accessible to Disabled People

Evelity, the first wayfinding solution for all types of disabilities in public and private facilities

more articles

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal Accessibility

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal Accessibility

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal AccessibilityWith 1.36 million passengers per day, the Montreal metro is the first network in Canada and the third in North America behind New York City and Mexico City. The network, which was inaugurated on October 14, 1966...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

Obstacles in Public Transport: What Solutions for Physical Disability?

Obstacles in Public Transport: What Solutions for Physical Disability?

Obstacles in Public Transport: What Solutions for People with Physical Disabilities?

 

Wheelchair, crutches, bad balance, but also heavy luggage, strollers, young children… 30 to 40% of public transport users are in a situation of reduced mobility and 6.6% of the U.S. population is living with an ambulatory disability. The removal of physical barriers is a prerequisite for their access to the transportation network, but also a huge challenge for transport network operators, especially when the infrastructure is old.

Let’s have a look at existing solutions and services. Get inspired by the transport networks that get it right!

What are the physical obstacles encountered in public transport?

Imagine yourself in front of a 15-inch step using a wheelchair, lengthening your trip by half an hour because of a broken down elevator, passing the safety gates with a large and heavy suitcase, going down 3 floors with your stroller and your baby in your arms, etc.

Reducing physical barriers in public transport is a real need for people with reduced mobility and physical disability.

Here are some examples of physical barriers that can be found in public transportation:

⊗ Unsuitable steps,

⊗ Significant differences in height between floors,

⊗ Long distances,

⊗ Slippery floors,

⊗ Excessive space between the platform and the vehicle,

⊗ Access heights too important.

These difficulties mainly concern people with ambulatory disabilities but can be extended to all people with reduced mobility.

What are the solutions to reduce obstacles in public transport for people with a physical disability? 

Planning ahead: tips and tricks to travel serenely

To save time and avoid unpleasant surprises (elevator down, stairs at the entrance…), planning ahead is a key step.

Many websites and mobile applications, often unknown to users, allow to locate accessible places and to be informed in real time of the level of accessibility of infrastructures. Among the best known are: wheelmap and access earth.

In addition, most cities like Chicago, Toronto and London provide users with a journey planner taking into account the network’s accessibility.

Facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility

In the United States for exemple, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is the landmark civil rights law that deals with the rights of persons with disabilities. Title II of the ADA “prohibits discrimination based on disability in public transport such as city buses and public railways”. The regulation imposes certain standards on transport networks, such as the requirement to provide disability access in new vehicles and paratransit services to those who cannot use public transportation.

In fact, what you need to focus on is ensuring a seamless mobility chain for users with a physical disability at your public transport.

Some transport network operators go beyond legal obligations and address custom-made arrangements to people with motor disabilities.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the different accessibility solutions dedicated to people with reduced mobility all over the world:

⊗ In Lyon, France, all metro stations are equipped with lifts and dedicated gates,

⊗ The subway of New York City is equipped with AutoGate: an automatic entry/exit gate,

⊗ In Montreal, all metros and buses are accessible for wheelchair users (elevators, front-door access ramps…)

⊗ In Barcelona, ​​a stop request button and a request button of the ramp has been set up in the buses to simplify the wheelchair exit,

⊗ Several metro lines in the world have a retractable threshold in order to fill the space between the platform and the vehicule,

⊗ Throughout Spain, a dedicated spot in buses is equipped with a belt and a grab bar that secures people in wheelchairs,

⊗ Many European buses have a validation terminal located in front of the access ramp preventing wheelchair users from having to move to the back of the bus,

⊗ The city of Toulouse in France has implemented a lowered card transport validation in buses.

We can also mention the indoor navigation app Evelity. It meets the needs of all users with disabilities. The app is currently deployed at the Jay Street-MetroTech station in New York City subway. Every user can set up the app according to their profile and consequently, their capabilities. The app provides optimized routes with elevators or escalators to people with reduced mobility.

Services adapted for people with reduced mobility

Reducing barriers in public transport also means providing services to people with motor disabilities.

Alternative modes of transport at the public transport rate is often offered in the event of a hazard and to those who cannot use public transport. In some cities, a free accompaniment service by qualified members of staff is offered. Other cities have also developed an ambulatory ambassador service. Disabled users advise and accompany those in need to better understand their difficulties and overcome them. Uber and Lyft both provide handicap-accessible transportation. Depending on the area, you may need to plan and pay more than a traditional ride. However, those private rideshare services can fill occasional needs.

 

If leaving the house is often an expedition for people with a physical disability, this is not inevitable. As an accessibility actor of your public transport network, you have the power to improve the situation of at least 30% of your users. Lifts, access ramps, adapted furniture, real-time information on network accessibility, paperless ticketing, assistance services…, many solutions have proved successfully. Before setting up one or the other, we recommend that you look for feedback and organize a consultation with users of your network with disabilities to identify their difficulties, because what works well somewhere may need to be adapted elsewhere.

If you like this article you will also like this one: Making Public Transport Information Accessible to Disabled People

Updated on December 27th, 2021 / Published on June 14th 2019

media

Of the nearly 2 million people with disabilities who never leave their homes, 560,000 never leave home because of transportation difficulties.

writer

Zoe Gervais

Zoe Gervais

Content Manager

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

more articles

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal Accessibility

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal Accessibility

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal AccessibilityWith 1.36 million passengers per day, the Montreal metro is the first network in Canada and the third in North America behind New York City and Mexico City. The network, which was inaugurated on October 14, 1966...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

Making Public Transport Information Accessible to Disabled People?

Making Public Transport Information Accessible to Disabled People?

Making Public Transport Information Accessible to Disabled People

 

Planning a journey, knowing the waiting times at bus stops, knowing where to get off, taking correct action in the case of disruption—using public transport requires having access to information at every step along the way. The task, of course, is far more complicated for people living with a disability, whether motor, sensory or intellectual. This article offers a list of solutions that can be used to provide accessible public transport information to all types of passengers.

The Needs of Disabled Passengers Regarding Accessible Public Transport Information

“Passenger information” encompasses all information transmitted to transport network passengers at every stage of their journey. Passenger information can be provided in different paper or digital formats and can be checked remotely or at stations and stops or even on board vehicles. Even though such information is for all travelers, providing it to those living with a disability is far trickier.


Disabled travelers need to receive the information in real time and in an appropriate format in order to:

⊗ Prepare their itinerary according to their mobility (location of stops, transportation network accessibility);

⊗ Know in real time the operating condition of adapted equipment (elevators, escalators, etc.);

⊗ Be informed about the next step in their journey (checklist);

⊗ Know what to do in the case of a service disruption.

Their specific needs are complicated during irregular occurrences (breakdowns, strikes, detours, stops not served, etc.). People with hearing loss can rarely get information on disruptions since it is usually announced orally. Those with visual impairment lose their bearings and find it difficult to find an alternative itinerary. People with a motor disability may find themselves unable to take an alternative means of transportation because of physical obstacles.

Finally, people with an intellectual disability will also have difficulty understanding the information, making a decision and finding new reference points. Another significant aspect is that the stress caused by disruptions to all travelers is far more burdensome on disabled passengers due to their particular difficulties and their sometimes heightened sensitivity (psychiatric disability, autism).

Trip Preparation with Easy-to-Use Trip Planners

For a person with a disability, preparation is key to a successful trip. Some years ago, trip planning relied on maps and schedules jotted down on paper, and they still are essential to some people, but the digital alternatives available today have made planning far more efficient. Transportation operators usually provide a trip planner on their website, supplemented by a mobile app.

However, these trip planners should fulfill the following conditions if they are to be usable by a disabled person and respond to their needs:

⊗ The web or phone interface must conform to digital accessibility standards (usable with a screen reader, adaptable to the user’s display settings, etc.).

⊗ The options for the trip planner must include accessibility criteria: elevators, escalators, level access, etc.;

⊗ Stations and stops must be possible to locate on a map and by their actual address, which must be fully written out (for those who cannot read the map and so that it can be entered into a GPS).

To facilitate the mobility of everyone, all information on the transportation networks should be made public so that it can be integrated into multi-modal trip planners. In fact, the use of apps or trip planners that are specific to single cities is often an obstacle.

Written or Audio Materials Designed for Different Disabilities

Despite the development of digital technologies, physical materials can still be of great service to many transportation passengers. This is why it’s important to make simple maps or large-font timetables available to passengers. London, for example, has a wide variety of subway maps; they come in contrasted colors and audio format. Some maps only show the above-ground network for those with claustrophobia. Another example is Toulouse (France), which offers an audio description of its subway stations.

Visual and Audio Traveler Information Points

Departures, connections and arrivals, every step in a journey has its stop. At every stop, people need accessible public transport information.


Traveler information points are illuminated signs at bus stops, and tram or subway stations. These signs notify passengers of the waiting time and any possible disruptions to a line serving the stop.
But what use are these to a visually impaired person? The information points have to be in audio format, possibly through the use of a remote control or a smartphone. This function has two advantages. Firstly, the on-demand audio provides illiterate people with the same information everyone else receives. Secondly, the activation of the sign by remote also allows visually impaired people to precisely locate the stop and confirm that they are where they want to be.


This solution has already been rolled out across numerous cities around the world, such as San Francisco, Auckland, Toulouse, Lyon and Prague.

Read our article: Obstacles in Public Transport: What Solutions for Physical Disability?

Disruption Announcements in Audio and Writing

In the event of disruptions (breakdowns, strikes, re-routing of lines or just a simple change of platform), the information is usually given to passengers over a PA system located in the vehicles or at the stop. Deaf people are left noticing the change in attitude of the passengers around them yet oblivious to the reason. The situation becomes more distressing for them when they soon realize there is a problem but have completely missed out on any solution that has been proposed. It is therefore essential that such information be also given on screens installed for this purpose.

SMS Alerts on Disruptions: Universal Accessibility

For disabled people, disruptions to their means of transportation can cause plenty of stress and added difficulties. That’s why such situations need to be anticipated, more so than for other travelers.
SMS alerts are already available on many urban transport networks, providing real-time information on disruptions affecting the entire network or only those lines selected beforehand by the user according to their usual routes.
This system is aimed at all transportation users. For a person living with a disability to also benefit from this technology, it should be ensured that subscription to the service does not act as an obstacle. Adherence to digital accessibility standards and a simple procedure remain crucial.
It ought to be noted that this system of SMS alerts should not replace other methods of providing information about disruptions. After all, those without a cell phone or who have not registered for the service would remain in the dark otherwise.

Visual and Audio Announcement of Next Stop

In all public transportation, the announcement of the upcoming stop is an essential piece of information for passengers, all the more so if they are not familiar with the route. This information is often available on an illuminated panel. But it must also be given orally. Obviously, this is for those with a visual impairment but, more generally, it is for anyone who cannot read whether due to illiteracy or simply because of where they are sitting.

Some smartphone apps alert users to the moment when they should request their stop.

Innovative Smartphone Apps for Connecting Passengers

The use of smartphones is widespread and has opened up new possibilities for individual travel. Some applications offer to connect a disabled person with one-off voluntary helpers, whether for a minute, an hour or more.
A good example of this type of app is BeMyEyes, which allows blind or visually impaired people to get visual help via a video-conversation with any one of a number of volunteers ready to lend their eyes for a few minutes.
As for mobility, Faciligo is a French travel buddy platform allowing people with reduced mobility to find a travel companion for any type of journey on public transportation.
The idea is to connect travelers with reduced mobility or a disability and even elderly passengers with able-bodied travelers thereby improving transportation access to people who cannot travel alone. For the support provided, the companion receives a discount on the price of their ticket.

Workshops on Transportation Networks for the Most Vulnerable Users

Help from another person is sometimes indispensable in preparing for a trip so that a disabled person to set off independently on public transportation. Some transportation operators have established workshops or courses allowing disabled people to learn and understand the network.


In Paris, the transport operator RATP organizes Mobility Workshops. These workshops were originally aimed at passengers with intellectual disabilities, but they soon expanded to schools and have received high praise from participants.

These are great examples of accessible public transport information that you can also implement in your network to help your users.

The addition of audio information to visual information and vice versa, the setting up of accessible digital services, the use of phone apps, and on-demand community support are just some of the numerous local initiatives that have sprung up to open up information access to all passengers. The main issue today remains standardizing the different sources and making the information known to everyone so that every person can reap the benefits.

media

For disabled people, disruptions to their means of transportation can cause plenty of stress and added difficulties. That’s why such situations need to be anticipated, more so than for other travelers.

writer

Lise Wagner

Lise Wagner

Accessibility Expert

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

more articles

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal Accessibility

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal Accessibility

The Montreal Metro on the Way to Universal AccessibilityWith 1.36 million passengers per day, the Montreal metro is the first network in Canada and the third in North America behind New York City and Mexico City. The network, which was inaugurated on October 14, 1966...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.