SPR-2325: Implementation and Evaluation of Aira Access Pilot Run in Connecticut

The goal of this project is to implement Aira, one of the fastest-growing assistive technology options used for blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals, across the entire State of Connecticut, to be used for navigation, wayfinding, riding public transportation, and to ensure proper social distancing for BLV individuals. In this regard, the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center (CTSRC) at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) project team will be responsible for surveying BLV individuals to understand travel patterns and barriers faced by visually impaired individuals in Connecticut. The survey results can provide an overview of the needs and barriers faced by people who are blind or have low vision while using public transportation or conducting daily chores such as shopping for groceries, medicine, etc. Aira pilot service will then be implemented across Connecticut to assist BLV individuals. The Aira Corporation will be responsible for the pilot run of the Aira Services. The BLV participants for the pilot implementation will be selected from the Blind Registry maintained by the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) within the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) in Connecticut (Connecticut ADS-BESB). The final list of participants will be decided based on the agreement between Aira, UCONN, Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), and Connecticut ADS-BESB. Multiple follow-up user surveys will be conducted to understand how the service provided by Aira can help BLV individuals in using public transportation and access to essential services. Aira also provides a real-time dashboard with qualitative and quantitative information regarding the service provided by Aira. An evaluation of the Aira provided real-time dashboard along with qualitative and quantitative data will be conducted by the CTSRC project team to generate performance matrices and to provide a summary of their services to the stakeholders.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $394,288
• Contract Numbers:

  SPR-2325

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Connecticut Department of Transportation

  2800 Berlin Turnpike
  P. O. Box 317546
  Newington, CT  United States  06131-7546
• Managing Organizations:

  Connecticut Department of Transportation

  2800 Berlin Turnpike
  P. O. Box 317546
  Newington, CT  United States  06131-7546
• Project Managers:

  Zimyeski, Melanie

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Connecticut, Storrs

  Connecticut Transportation Institute
  270 Middle Turnpike, Unit 5202
  Storrs, CT  United States  06269-5202
• Principal Investigators:

  Shaon, Mohammad Razaur Rahman

• Start Date: 20210521
• Expected Completion Date: 20230121
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Assistive technology; Pilot studies; Public transit; Surveys; Visually impaired persons
• Geographic Terms: Connecticut
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01853901
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: SPR-2325
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 4 2022 1:22AM