[MLIT] Study Group on Safety Measures for People with visual impairment at Station Platforms Released an Interim Report

On July 2, 2021, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) released an interim report compiled by the Study Group on Safety Measures for People with Visual Impairment at Station Platforms Using New Technologies, etc.

The study group, established by organization of people with visual impairment and their support associations, academic experts, railroad operators, etc., has explored alternative safety measures to installing platform edge doors since October 2020.

Based on interviews with 34 people with visual impairment who have fallen from platforms in the past, the interim report proposes the following measures to prevent falls.

  1. Measures to ensure smooth assistance by station attendants, etc.
  • To use Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras
  • To use smartphone applications
  1. Detection and alerting methods of people with visual impairment approaching the edge of the platform

To use AI to reliably identify people with visual impairment who are at risk of falling from the platform edge, in conjunction with train presence and their walking routes

  1. Appropriate methods to indicate safe walking routes on platforms in the longitudinal direction

Ideas include installing markers (e.g., linear tactile blocks surfaces) in the center of platforms to guide walking routes or using the point tactile blocks with internal lines.

For more information, please visit the following websites (in Japanese only) https://www.mlit.go.jp/tetudo/tetudo_fr7_000032.html

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