New NIRPC online map helps transit riders, especially disabled
- Date: 05/20/2021
Many transit riders take their access to public transportation for granted. For riders with disabilities, small challenges, like the size…
The UW Transportation Data Equity Initiative, made up of entities including UW Taskar Center for Accessible Technology, UW’s Washington State Transportation Center, companies like Microsoft and Google, and the Washington State Department of Transportation, was recently awarded an $11.45 million grant.
The initiative’s goal is to make information on things like sidewalk conditions and transit paths more accessible to underserved populations.
To create accessibility to this data, the initiative is developing two applications: a multimodal access map tailored to the user and a 3D simulation that will provide a pre-trip experience. In addition, the initiative will expand an existing Microsoft application, Soundscape, which allows people who are visually impaired to explore their surroundings.
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