Commuting via trains presents significant navigation challenges for blind and visually impaired users

Building on the success of the BlindWays Beacon Project for Bus Stops, I partnered with MBTA to explore how we could improve the accessibility of Boston's train stations. The project leveraged MBTA's Schedule API and Outfront Media's beacon-embedded digital screens already installed throughout the transit system to create our final solution.

I led comprehensive user research with blind and visually impaired commuters and Orientation & Mobility specialists to map the complete user journey and identify critical pain points. This research revealed that users navigate through complex multi-sensory cues and fall into distinct confidence categories based on their training and experience levels. These insights directly informed the development of the Access MBTA app—a proof-of-concept mobile application that provides real-time, accessible information and location-based guidance through strategically placed beacons.

The solution addressed key information gaps throughout the commuting experience, from pre-trip preparation to platform navigation and train boarding. Access MBTA was recognized by Mobile World Congress as a finalist for Social Good, Best Use of Mobile for Accessibility & Inclusion, validating both the user-centered design approach and the potential impact of beacon-enabled accessibility solutions in transit environments.

My role

Product Management

UX Research

Beacon Installation & Testing

Team

Lillian Krieger (UX Research & Design) · Conner Neville (Developer)

User research & usability testing

To understand the complex navigation challenges faced by blind and visually impaired commuters, my colleague and I conducted in-depth interviews with 7 visually impaired users and 2 Orientation & Mobility specialists. We also shadowed users with varying confidence levels as they navigated train stations, observing firsthand how they used multi-sensory cues and problem-solving strategies to reach their destinations. This research revealed distinct user archetypes and critical pain points throughout the complete commuting journey. We maintained continuous user engagement throughout the project, conducting iterative usability testing sessions that directly informed design decisions and feature refinements.

Ideation & concept validation
Product strategy
UX design & accessibility
Beacon installation & testing
Proof-of-concept development
User research & usability testing

To understand the complex navigation challenges faced by blind and visually impaired commuters, my colleague and I conducted in-depth interviews with 7 visually impaired users and 2 Orientation & Mobility specialists. We also shadowed users with varying confidence levels as they navigated train stations, observing firsthand how they used multi-sensory cues and problem-solving strategies to reach their destinations. This research revealed distinct user archetypes and critical pain points throughout the complete commuting journey. We maintained continuous user engagement throughout the project, conducting iterative usability testing sessions that directly informed design decisions and feature refinements.

Ideation & concept validation
Product strategy
UX design & accessibility
Beacon installation & testing
Proof-of-concept development
User research & usability testing

To understand the complex navigation challenges faced by blind and visually impaired commuters, my colleague and I conducted in-depth interviews with 7 visually impaired users and 2 Orientation & Mobility specialists. We also shadowed users with varying confidence levels as they navigated train stations, observing firsthand how they used multi-sensory cues and problem-solving strategies to reach their destinations. This research revealed distinct user archetypes and critical pain points throughout the complete commuting journey. We maintained continuous user engagement throughout the project, conducting iterative usability testing sessions that directly informed design decisions and feature refinements.

Ideation & concept validation
Product strategy
UX design & accessibility
Beacon installation & testing
Proof-of-concept development
Designing for accessibility

Through extensive research with blind and visually impaired users, I discovered that accessibility needs aren't one-size-fits-all. Users fall into distinct confidence categories—Moderate, Expert, and Extreme—based on complex factors like the age at which they lost their sight, past experiences, and their level of orientation and mobility training. This project taught me that effective accessibility solutions require understanding the complete user journey, from pre-trip preparation and training through every step of station navigation to platform exit. I also learned that B/VI users navigate through a rich tapestry of multi-sensory cues, relying on landmarks, sounds, smells, airflow patterns, and light variations in ways that sighted users rarely consider.

Technical implementation
Design process & iteration
Systems thinking
Designing for accessibility

Through extensive research with blind and visually impaired users, I discovered that accessibility needs aren't one-size-fits-all. Users fall into distinct confidence categories—Moderate, Expert, and Extreme—based on complex factors like the age at which they lost their sight, past experiences, and their level of orientation and mobility training. This project taught me that effective accessibility solutions require understanding the complete user journey, from pre-trip preparation and training through every step of station navigation to platform exit. I also learned that B/VI users navigate through a rich tapestry of multi-sensory cues, relying on landmarks, sounds, smells, airflow patterns, and light variations in ways that sighted users rarely consider.

Technical implementation
Design process & iteration
Systems thinking
Designing for accessibility

Through extensive research with blind and visually impaired users, I discovered that accessibility needs aren't one-size-fits-all. Users fall into distinct confidence categories—Moderate, Expert, and Extreme—based on complex factors like the age at which they lost their sight, past experiences, and their level of orientation and mobility training. This project taught me that effective accessibility solutions require understanding the complete user journey, from pre-trip preparation and training through every step of station navigation to platform exit. I also learned that B/VI users navigate through a rich tapestry of multi-sensory cues, relying on landmarks, sounds, smells, airflow patterns, and light variations in ways that sighted users rarely consider.

Technical implementation
Design process & iteration
Systems thinking
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Ready to build something great? Let's connect.

If you're wrestling with an idea or a tough challenge, don't hesitate to reach out.

Image of a coach

Ready to build something great? Let's connect.

If you're wrestling with an idea or a tough challenge, don't hesitate to reach out.

Image of a coach

Ready to build something great? Let's connect.

If you're wrestling with an idea or a tough challenge, don't hesitate to reach out.