This paper describes how demographic tendencies in developed countries suggest that about 20% of their population will be over 65 in 2030. For those travelers access to real time travel information and communication is essential. For many of these travelers the use of wireless technologies shows the most promise. The National Center for Accessible Transportation, NCAT at Oregon State University is also the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Accessible Public Transportation, (RERC) program to investigate and develop access to public transportation for passengers with disabilities. One of the projects of the RERC is to investigate real-time passenger communication and information issues for sensory impaired passengers in airports and aircraft and to develop new concepts and a Code of Practice. Accessible information is part of the complete travel chain, from travel planning and scheduling, using transportation to the airport, accessing information in the airport, communication at check-in, security and at boarding, up to receiving safety and emergency information on board the aircraft. The advent of wireless technologies presents new opportunities for accessible passenger information and communication systems. Although many wireless technologies exist, the main challenges are twofold, one the lack of adequate user interfaces with technologies, and two the lack of alternative formats in text and audio for passengers who are sensory impaired. This paper identifies the challenges passengers face in airports and aircraft, and concludes with suggestions for improving software and hardware interfaces, and the development of personal and portable wireless devices to be used in the travel environment.
Samenvatting