BVG has commissioned Trapeze to supply the INTROS Mobility Assistance System

Trapeze and SBV are pleased about the order from Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe for the INTROS Mobility Assistance System

Neuhausen am Rheinfall, October 22, 2024 – Trapeze is delighted to have been awarded a major contract by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG): In order to further improve accessibility in local public transport, BVG has commissioned Trapeze to supply the INTROS Mobility Assistance System for acoustic passenger information in buses and trams following a Europewide tender. The INTROS app was developed by the Swiss Federation of the Blind (sbv).

Already in 2013, Berlin was awarded the Access City Award by the European Commission as a “barrier-free city” in recognition of its comprehensive measures to improve accessibility, particularly in public transport. BVG’s commitment played a central role in this. Subway stations and stops have been and are being converted to be barrier-free, barrier-free buses and trains were purchased and passenger information was tested according to the two-senses principle.

The efforts of the city and its transport operators to reduce barriers for visually and mobility-impaired citizens and passengers as best as possible are now being continued with the procurement of an acoustic passenger information system. The contract was awarded following a detailed evaluation involving the German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV). A practical test on the BVG premises was also part of the selection process.

Barrier-free travel on public transport

For blind, visually impaired or mobility-impaired people, using public transport independently is often a challenge, especially in unfamiliar places or in crowds. Recognising where the vehicle stops and where it leaves and when, or getting help getting on and off in good time, are often difficult hurdles to overcome. The INTROS system from Trapeze and sbv provides valuable orientation in public transport and supports BVG in the inclusion of all passengers. INTROS consists of an app and a vehicle module. The INTROS app “ÖV-Radar”, which is being adapted for use in Berlin, was developed by the specialists at sbv – in other words, by those affected for those affected.

With the help of the INTROS app or a handheld transmitter that can be used anonymously, passengers are recognized by the vehicles at the stop. They identify themselves by route number and destination and then emit a clearly audible door finder tone. If the route has already been planned in the app, the correct vehicle is addressed directly, making it even easier for passengers to board the right vehicle. In the vehicle, passengers can follow the progress of the journey in the app. In good time before arriving at the destination stop, the app notifies the passenger.

INTROS – our solution for BVG

To make all this possible, Trapeze is equipping the BVG buses and trams with an acoustic box. This has sufficient computing power to establish contact with passengers even at large transfer hubs and to generate the desired voice output in the natural-sounding neural BVG voice at the right time. The integrated amplifier enables direct control of the external loudspeakers.

The INTROS app “ÖV-Radar” is being further developed by sbv. The app is specially tailored to the needs of visually impaired and blind people and is optimised for use with screen readers and smartphone assistants.

The “Speaking Vehicle” and “Speaking App” system commissioned by BVG is based on the existing INTROS solution from Trapeze, Systemtechnik and sbv, which is already being used successfully in several cities.

Further information about INTROS and the Trapeze portfolio: www.trapezegroup.de

Trapeze DACH

Trapeze DACH provides transport operators with comprehensive operations control and information systems for better punctuality, shorter travel times and more precise transfers as well as dynamic passenger information. The portfolio includes planning and dispatch systems, demand response solutions, operations control systems, on-board computers, passenger information signs at stops and in the vehicle as well as custom service solutions. For more information please visit www.trapezegroup.de

Press contact

Julia Kroll, Corporate and Marketing Communications
[email protected]
www.trapezegroup.de