Background:
Getting around the city by public transport is relatively simple for many people. For some, however, it can be more challenging. They may need to check for obstacles and barriers they will encounter before and during their journey, and consider how to resolve these problems. For example, those with lower literacy levels may find travelling by public transport more challenging because they cannot read signs and therefore struggle to find their way. Another example could be people with walking difficulties or wheelchair users who need information about accessibility at various points of their journey.
At the moment, people from these groups may choose to use separate or private forms of transport – such as by taxi, transport specifically for their target group, or they are driven by an acquaintance. Alternatively, they may opt to not travel at all. The Transport Authority Amsterdam aims to encourage and assist these groups to make use of public space and public transport, as these aspects of our daily life should be accessible to everyone.
We want a startup to devise a system to simulate a public transport journey via the internet. Passengers can use this system to learn about what they might encounter during a trip and to consider how they will handle any obstacles or barriers before they travel. Different types of journey simulations should be available for different user groups.
The assignment for startups:
Devise a journey simulator – a ‘virtual public transport experience’ – for the Amsterdam Area’s mobility network. It must focus on (possible) accessibility issues encountered during journeys. The information used by the simulator needs to be kept up to date. And passengers must be able to deliver feedback.
Criteria:
The startup needs to be or become fully aware of users’ wishes about accessibility issues that can be encountered during planned journeys. The journey simulator should be developed in collaboration with user groups.
For more inspiration: openresearch.amsterdam/nl/page/72961/mobieler-worden-met-je-mobiele-telefoon (in Dutch)
Issued by:
Vervoerregio Amsterdam / Transport Authority Amsterdam
