DLR tests ideas to help blind and partially sighted customers use the trains

Transport for London (TfL) and KeolisAmey Docklands, operator of the DLR, have partnered with GoMedia and The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to trial NaviLens, an app designed to help blind or partially-sighted customers navigate stations.

The trial will take place at Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Woolwich Arsenal, and Tower Gateway DLR stations for six months.

Screenshot of the new app (c) TfL

NaviLens is designed to enable blind and partially-sighted people to access and locate information and interact with their environment, particularly in busy areas like train stations, and has seen previous deployments in New York Metro, Barcelona, and Los Angeles

NaviLens technology is based on image recognition using augmented smart codes, placed along designated customer itineraries, and a smartphone app that provides voice guidance for visually impaired passengers. Once the smart codes have been scanned using the NaviLens app, users can benefit from the help of the app’s voice assistant to continue their journey, the voice assistant having told them practical information including description of a physical element, guidance indications and real-time DLR arrivals and departures.

The trial of NaviLens will be supported by audio announcements at stations, members of staff at Woolwich Arsenal DLR station and Passenger Service Agents that are onboard all DLR trains to assist passengers.

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport said: “Encouraging greater use of public transport is a top priority for the Mayor, and the NaviLens app should make a real difference for partially-sighted customers and help make London’s transport network accessible to all. The DLR is one of the most accessible modes of transport on our network and this new technology will go even further to help customers with access needs travel with ease, building a better, safer and fairer London for all.”

QR code at Canary Wharf station (c) TfL