Key details
Date
- 14 June 2023
Author
- RCA
Read time
- 3 minutes
Responding to a growing need for transport options that are safe, affordable, sustainable and desirable for the ageing population, in January 2023 the RCA’s Design Age Institute launched a call-out for innovative transport-focused proposals as part of a new Transport Pathfinder Innovation Programme.
We’re now excited to introduce the Awardees of the Transport Pathfinder, who will receive support and funding of up to £120k per team, from Design Age Institute, made possible with the generous support of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Healthy Ageing Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency.
Key details
Date
- 14 June 2023
Author
- RCA
Read time
- 3 minutes
Inclusive Wayfinding Toolkit by Applied Information Group UK Limited
Applied Information, the global multidisciplinary wayfinding consultancy who worked with Transport for London to develop ‘Legible London’ - the international standard for city wayfinding - have secured support to develop a prototype for a new Inclusive Wayfinding Toolkit.
The Toolkit will propose an improved system of wayfinding for walking and cycling throughout the UK that specifically addresses the needs and aspirations of a diverse ageing marketplace. The Toolkit seeks to improve mobility, socialisation, and access to local services, while also generating connection, safety and confidence in the public who use it.
The team will work with local authorities to develop the prototype, which they’ll co-create and test with members of the public from a range of backgrounds, ages, genders, ethnicities, and disabilities, with an expected completion date of January of next year.
“The award from Design Age Institute is crucial to generate momentum in establishing a new standard in wayfinding in this country. Our Inclusive Wayfinding Toolkit will propose a vision, allowing local authorities to make best use of behaviour change techniques and apply a coherent system consistently everywhere. By working with older people on its development, this project will be designed for everyone's abilities from the very beginning.”
BriteWay-XR by Briteyellow Limited
With the support of the funding, Fredi Nonyelu, Founder/CEO of Briteyellow, and Michael Davies, Insight and Innovation Manager from Transport for Wales, will further develop BriteWay-XR - a connected guidance app and web portal that enables safer, and more accessible journeys for all.
BriteWay-XR allows older people and those with reduced mobility, to plan their journeys more effectively, and travel independently with confidence. Using virtual reality and augmented reality navigation with indoor position tracking, BriteWay-XR provides individuals with the assurance of real-time support from staff or family and friends. Real-time accessibility information and intelligent routing is used to reassure and route people in a way that avoids overcrowding and provides guidance through complex interchanges.
“We're thrilled to join the Transport Pathfinder Innovation Programme, which will enable us to access design expertise and carry out research with user groups. This support will allow us to push forward our goal of providing tailored wayfinding solutions to older communities, helping them to navigate their environments with confidence and independence.”
Waymap Newcastle by Waymap
Waymap aims to ‘make every city in the world accessible to anyone, anywhere’ through their accessible navigation tools. Their design process includes intense research and consultation with blind and low-vision people to ensure users' needs and wants are reflected alongside comprehensive accessibility.
Waymap has been awarded support to develop Waymap Newcastle – an accessible navigation app specifically for the north-eastern city, that works outside, inside and underground to within one metre of the desired location, regardless of your GPS signal. The user follows audio instructions to find their way, helping to increase confidence to travel independently.
“We are very excited to be awarded a grant from Design Age Institute to extend the functionality of our app. We will help older people have their independence for longer, reducing the uncertainties of wayfinding that can create barriers to mobility. This often leads to increased isolation and reduced social activities, but at Waymap we just don’t believe that should be the norm.”
Innovative Cable Improving Charging Limitations Excluding Older Users from Electric by Hangar 19
Hangar19 is an engineering solutions company enabling the development and delivery of electric vehicle services, equipment and associated energy infrastructure. After noticing that some users of their Park and Recharge electric vehicle charging service were experiencing challenges in connecting the cable to the car, they decided they needed to develop a solution.
Hangar19 will receive support to develop Innovative Cable Improving Charging Limitations Excluding Seniors from EVs (ICICLES-EV) - a new electric vehicle charging cable and gun targeted at those with mobility impairments.
Through a new innovative design that reduces the amount of force required to successfully plug in a vehicle, ICICLES-EV aims to simplify the process of moving and connecting the cable.
“We are delighted that the Transport Pathfinder funding gives us the chance to turn our concepts into a reality, complete with detailed insight from the target user groups. It provides an opportunity to help more people convert to electric vehicles without the worry about issues of using public charging infrastructure.”