Accessibility

How can we make New York’s public transit system more accessible?

As reflected by the 2020-2024 Capital Program, the MTA is committed to improving accessibility for all.

New York’s transit system can be challenging for disabled customers: Only 25% of subway stations are wheelchair accessible and information is often communicated exclusively via visual signage or audio announcements.

With this 2020 challenge, the MTA sought technology that could enhance accessibility to better serve customers with special needs, including those with auditory, visual, mobility and mental impairments, the elderly and child caregivers. 

Challenge Finalists

Acoustic Protocol

Acoustic Protocol

PARTNER AGENCY
Metro-North Railroad
PARTNER AGENCY
Metro-North Railroad

Converts audio announcements into personalized, text-based messages to improve public transit accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing customers

Converts audio announcements into personalized, text-based messages to improve public transit accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing customers

Knaq

Knaq

PARTNER AGENCY
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
PARTNER AGENCY
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Provides predictive elevator and escalator maintenance tools that enable any elevator or escalator to be digitized and its status instantly updated online

Provides predictive elevator and escalator maintenance tools that enable any elevator or escalator to be digitized and its status instantly updated online

Navilens

Navilens

PARTNER AGENCY
New York City Transit
PARTNER AGENCY
New York City Transit

Uses computer vision algorithm to provide navigation guidance in any space without use of GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi or cell coverage

Uses computer vision algorithm to provide navigation guidance in any space without use of GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi or cell coverage

Okeena

Okeena

PARTNER AGENCY
New York City Transit
PARTNER AGENCY
New York City Transit

Smartphone app that provides transit system navigation for customers who are disabled

Smartphone app that provides transit system navigation for customers who are disabled

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© 2024 Transit Tech Lab and New York City Partnership Foundation

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© 2024 Transit Tech Lab and New York City Partnership Foundation