Navilens the accessible digital tagging and wayfinding technology designed for blind and partially sighted people, is being trialled on ten bus stops in Southampton.
Southampton City Council have added these large colourful QR type codes to locations across the City Centre; Albion Place Bus Hub, Vincent’s Walk, Above Bar Street, Civic Centre Road, Art Gallery and Central Station.
When a code is scanned on a smart device, the app will show live bus departures from that bus stop. The codes have been designed so they can be scanned from a distance and do not need perfect focus. These codes are also used in other public spaces nationally and on some products to provide accessible information. The app can be downloaded for free and does not require an account.
The Southampton bus stop trial will last a year and then a decision will be made whether to continue and expand the scheme.
Maini Image description: shows the Civic Centre AN bus stop. There are people walking by. The NaviLens QR code can be seen on the end of the bus stop.
Image 2: shows an example of the NaviLens sign which will be on each bus stop.
Image 3: shows a mock-up of a phone screen displaying the NaviLens app, listing upcoming buses. This is over-layed on a close up of a NaviLens QR code in a bus stop.
