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Human Wayfinding
Principal Investigator:
Amy Parker, Portland State University
Summary:
The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District Of Oregon (TriMet) is in need of specialized support to improve and promote effective resources in human wayfinding and navigation at its transit centers. Areas of need include, but are not limited to:
1. Tactile Maps: Providing tactile spatial information accessible to people who are blind or low vision.
2. Written descriptions of stations...
The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District Of Oregon (TriMet) is in need of specialized support to improve and promote effective resources in human wayfinding and navigation at its transit centers. Areas of need include, but are not limited to:
1. Tactile Maps: Providing tactile spatial information accessible to people who are blind or low vision.
2. Written descriptions of stations and routes: information needed by people who are blind or low vision, to allow independent mobility through TriMet transit centers and light rail platforms.
3. Familiarization Events: A pre-opening event held at a TriMet public facility to provide people with disabilities with an opportunity to explore the accessibility features implemented in the design of the facility so that they can effectively use these features.
4. Design improvements to enhance accessibility: Suggestions made during TriMet project meetings or during site walks of transit centers currently constructed as well as those under design to improve their use by people who are blind or have low vision.
5. Design improvements to establish a template for accessibility recommendations for future transit center, light rail platform, or frequent bus stop locations.
TriMet will engage the services of both the faculty and the student body within the Department of Orientation and Mobility Program at Portland State University to provide solutions to the problem description. This work will benefit both parties and is reflected in the use of both volunteer hours to support learning and scholarships.
1. PSU students enrolled in the Orientation and Mobility program will have exposure to real-world applications of orientation and mobility concepts as they apply to independent travel in public transit.
2. PSU students will have the opportunity to practice and build skills for interacting with public transit staff and people who are blind, have low vision, or are Deafblind.
3. PSU students will have the opportunity to build skills around creating tactile maps, writing travel instructions, pilot testing products, participating in public events, and providing constructive feedback to transit staff on improving accessibility for passengers who are blind, have low vision, or are Deafblind.
4. TriMet will gain needed expertise for improving the transit experience for passengers who are blind or who have low vision.
5. TriMet will have an effective process for developing useful tactile maps and written travel instructions that can be vetted with the public and become standard tools to be used by the agency going forward.
6. TriMet will have the use of volunteers to staff public events in which specific guidance and instructions are needed to assist passengers who are blind.
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Project Details
| Project Type: | Research |
|---|---|
| Project Status: | In Progress |
| End Date: | June 30, 2026 |
| UTC Funding: | $100,000 |