OC Transpo to debut external bus speakers for visually impaired
Posted Feb 23, 2017 07:28:21 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – OC Transpo will soon begin using external speakers to broadcast bus information to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Ottawa city council approved an amendment to the city’s noise bylaw on Wednesday.
The announcements, which will last between nine and 13 seconds, will broadcast the bus number and route at all transit stops.
“The last thing we want it for someone to end up in the wrong part of the city,” said Councillor Stephen Blais.
The buses will be equipped with sensors that will detect the noise outside the bus and will adjust the volume of the broadcasts according to the noise in the neighborhood. The buses will also reduce speaker volume after 9 p.m.
“It’s going to be set a couple decibels above the ambient noise in the area. I don’t think it will be louder than a couple people talking at a bus stop,” said Blais.
The new technology was successfully tested in the Glebe and Old Ottawa South and received no complaints.
The external bus speakers will debut in the spring.
