ACCESS
Madrid
…AND TRANSPORT FOR ALL
Rendering public transport more accessible than ever before, a wayfinding application in Madrid is making multi-modal transfers easier through step-free mobility lines, as José F Papí and Friederike L Kühl explain
Madrid’s public transport network is often dubbed a jungle – it connects one of the largest European metropolitan areas through large fleets of buses, trains, metros, taxis, cars and bicycles. Such a complex system requires continuous and tailored information to its users as to not overwhelm them, while keeping them up-to-date with relevant information.
Many travellers use common navigation and wayfinding services, such as GoogleMaps or local public transport apps. These applications work well for daily mobility needs, but they reach their limit when anyone is faced with carrying a heavy suitcase to the airport or accessing the transport system with a pushchair.
Apertum helps users that fit this description, but also people with permanent mobility constraints like the elderly or wheelchair users to find the easiest route, as it removes all metro/rail stations and bus stops that are non-accessible. Therefore, it guarantees a smooth journey without unpleasant surprises such as endless staircases or non-adapted ticket machines.
Apertum web interface
Changing the game
An award-winning platform developed by tech SME Etelätär Innovation (www.etelatar.com), the application can be used free of charge and is available in any app store as well as in form of a web application, which can be accessed without the need to download yet another app on your smartphone. It holds the potential to change the way we use trip planning and navigation services.
Following on-site inspections, the stations and stops are classified according to the criteria such as:
1.
Is the station accessible from street-level access to the waiting area underground directly via elevator? Where is it located?
2.
Is reserved disabled parking available close to the station and is the way from the parking to the station entrance accessible?
3.
Are any obstacles present in the station? Are there any black spots, which should be avoided by users?
4.
Is the platform to be used accessible?
Apertum allows for the selection of solely partially accessible or non-accessible routes, so that beyond representing the interest of disabled or elderly users, it can be used also by travellers without any mobility constraints instead of other conventional routing algorithms. The philosophy behind the service is that instead of converting transport networks to be accessible, selected information helps users to find the most accessible routes. Eventually, the default should be accessible city infrastructure from the first design stage – which would make accessible design the standard and therefore being inclusive also to those without constant mobility constraints. A step-free transport system is more comfortable for all users in the end.
Eventually, the default should be accessible city infrastructure from the first design stage, making accessible design the standard and therefore being inclusive to those without constant mobility constraints
According to a recent survey of 236 Apertum testers within the EU-funded PAsCAL research project, 90.3% of the respondents said that travelling independently is important or very important to them. Also, the most important feature of the application for them is the station information (for e.g. accessibility level, elevator status and location, distance to lane, adapted infrastructure such as wheelchair accessible gates and ticket machines), followed by accessible routes inside the stations (especially inside complex multi-level stations underground).
Applicable to Everyone
The application can also help users who don’t have a so-called permanent mobility constraint. Everyone has temporary mobility constraints from time to time – no matter if it is a suitcase, heavy shopping bags, a baby stroller or an injury – climbing up stairs under such conditions is difficult and uncomfortable. Apertum is not only there for disabled persons but seeks in offering a more comfortable alternative from regular public transport navigation for all of us.
Elderly public transport users are able to travel more comfortably
So what happens when the accessibility of the station changes?
The Apertum community works on a collaborative basis, meaning that users can signal and warn each other of obstacles or changes within stations. This keeps the maintenance of the application low and the relevance of the available data high in a simple and hassle-free way. This information is further complimented by an algorithm, which transfers information on construction works and incidences in the app to make sure all users are up to date.
Currently, the accessibility of the application itself is under development to add also text-to-speech features for blind persons. Another enhancement will be more precise guidance inside and outside of stations to guide users directly to elevator entrances, tracks or other services surrounding the stops. This is based on the BEEHIVE technology also developed by Etelätär Innovation, consisting of low-cost sensor networks, which can offer ultra-high geo-location precision indoors and outdoors without any dependence on inaccurate GPS signals.
Tactile pavement for blind people could soon become obsolete with smart beacon-based navigation
Increasing Accessibility
Further deployments of the system are cost-effective and quick and represent a simple way to increase the accessibility of any size of transport system across Europe. Rendering transport accessible in a low-cost and viable way is becoming more relevant than ever and Apertum could offer the perfect alternative to costly infrastructure adaptations. This rings especially true for smaller towns or even rural areas, where investments into accessible infrastructures is often not a realistic short-term strategy.
Further deployments of the system are cost-effective and quick and represent a simple way to increase the accessibility of any size of transport system across Europe
The leading team behind Apertum seeks to expand the service beyond Madrid and is looking forward to making European city mobility more comfortable to navigate than ever before. The initial financial support received for the platform’s early development stage from the EU and Innovate UK, and the subsequent recognitions received from the Smart Transportation Alliance (2018 STA Best Innovation Solution Award), the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi (finalist in the Innovation Challenge) and Madrid City’s EMT Transport Agency (2021 “Muévete Verde” Award), show that Apertum’s scalability across the world is just around the corner.
Apertum video
The Apertum vision for a public transport system that is accessible for all has been made into a video that tells a compelling story, please click the play button opposite.
José F. Papí is Founder & CEO at Etelätär Innovation
Friederike L. Kühl is COO at Etelätär Innovation
You can contact them, respectively at: j.papi@etelatar.com and f.kuhl@etelatar.com