[MN-at-Large] Metro Transit's Aira Project

[David Andrews]

>
>Forwarding this to those who may be interested.
>
>
>
>From: Cook, Douglas <Douglas.Cook at metrotransit.org>
>Subject: Metro Transit's Aira Project
>
>
>
>
>
>Hello
>
>
>
>Metro Transit is unveiling a pilot program to 
>help blind and low-vision residents navigate the 
>transit network, 24-hours a day, seven days a 
>week. The application, called Aira, connects 
>customers with a live agent via audio and video 
>who can provide live instructions on navigating 
>Metro Transit, and will be free to use for customers.
>
>
>This technology will not only help customers 
>navigate the system in real time but may also 
>help transit improve ADA accessibility. In 
>addition to being helpful for scheduled, 
>day-to-day travel, the service is also important 
>for unexpected challenges and detours, like 
>during summer’s construction season, where 
>travel plans are sometimes changed on the spot. 
>The use of this app is part of Metro Transit’s 
>commitment to investigate tools and services for 
>improving accessibility for customers.
>
>
>    * A customer can use the app on a smartphone 
> or smart glasses throughout a trip or simply 
> one leg of the journey, which connects them to 
> an agent using real-time information and GPS.
>    * Customers can access it in seconds. The 
> service reports a 10-second response time for 
> 99.5% of calls in other regions where it’s been adopted. 
>    * Customers participating in the pilot will 
> provide information about usage that will help 
> Metro Transit improve its ADA offerings and 
> understand where other forms of support might be needed.
>    *
>
>The pilot period will run from June 7th to 
>December 7th. During that time, anyone 
>interested can use the app for free during their 
>Metro Transit trip. Following the pilot, Metro 
>Transit will gather user feedback to help 
>evaluate this program, examine its 
>effectiveness, and determine whether to pursue using this service longer-term.
>
>
>
>Please see the attached documents and forward 
>these to those that will be able to utilize this service.
>
>
>
>Regards,
>
>
>
>Doug Cook
>
>Outreach Coordinator
>
>Metro Transit
>
><mailto:douglas.cook at metrotransit.org>douglas.cook at metrotransit.org
>
>P. 651-231-8435
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