Inclusive PRM Services: Bridging Accessibility Gaps with Autonomous Wheelchairs

AI Quick Summary

Passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) and elderly travelers face distinct challenges in the current public transport system, particularly during railway transfers and mode transitions. Despite SBB’s commendable accessibility efforts, some gaps remain, including difficulty switching platforms efficiently or navigating independently to assistance points in transport hubs like Zurich or Geneva Airports.These issues cause stress, potential delays, and compromised safety, negatively affecting travel experience and reducing confidence in public transport. Addressing these challenges aligns with SBB's commitment to inclusive and seamless mobility.Our project leverages DAAV autonomous wheelchairs to close these service gaps, offering safe, timely, and efficient transportation between platforms and within hubs. This innovative approach enhances customer satisfaction, optimizes passenger flow, and promotes independence and inclusivity for PRM passengers.Check www.daav.ch Background and RationaleNavigating environments independently is fundamental to human dignity and quality of life; limitations in mobility severely impact daily experiences and overall well-being. Currently, over one billion individuals globally live with some form of disability, i.e. approximately 15% of the world’s population, many of whom experience reduced mobility. This demographic continues to expand, driven by aging populations and increased prevalence of chronic health conditions. Within public transport systems, passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) and elderly travelers frequently encounter challenges, particularly when transitioning between trains and navigating transport hubs. Although significant improvements have been made by SBB, operational gaps remain at key interchange points, such as Zurich or Geneva Airport, where multiple transportation modes and service providers intersect. These gaps manifest as stress, uncertainty, delays, and reduced independence for PRM travelers.This project leverages DAAV autonomous wheelchairs to bridge these critical service gaps, providing safe, efficient, and seamless transfers between train platforms and within transport hubs, thus creating a continuous and barrier-free travel experience from railway platforms directly to airplane gates.Proposed Pilot SiteWe suggest starting the pilot in one of the two SBB stations: Zurich or Geneva Airports. DAAV has already established business relationships with Zurich Airport and their PRM service provider.ObjectivesSignificantly enhance the passenger experience for PRM and elderly travelers.Optimize passenger flow at major transport hubs.Increase safety, confidence, and independence of PRM passengers.Strengthen SBB’s reputation as an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable mobility provider.Timeline & Action PlanMonth 1: Project Initiation and Stakeholder AlignmentIn this phase, DAAV will gather all necessary information to initiate the project, making sure all stakeholders are engaged and the roles are defined. Form a project steering committee with representatives from SBB and DAAV. Conduct initial stakeholder meetings to define expectations and project outcomes.Engage PRM advocacy groups for initial insights and requirements gathering.Month 2: Site Assessment and Detailed PlanningComplete comprehensive site assessments at the targeted train station and airport to identify optimal wheelchair routes and key interaction points.Finalize detailed project requirements and wheelchair customization specifications based on stakeholder and PRM feedback.Develop operational and logistical plans for the pilot phase.Month 3: Technology Customization and Infrastructure SetupPrepare 2 units of DAAV autonomous wheelchairs specifically for the pilot phase.Prepare the required infrastructure modifications, including elevator integration, and mapping for precise navigation routes.Brief operational and customer-service teams on the technology, protocols, and pilot expectations.Month 4-5: Pilot Deployment and Real-World Passenger TestingDeploy autonomous wheelchairs to assist approximately 100 PRM and elderly passengers under real-world operational conditions.Collect ongoing feedback through passenger surveys, observational studies, and interviews to refine operations.Monitor wheelchair performance, passenger satisfaction, operational efficiency, and proactively address issues in real-time.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Passenger Satisfaction Rate: Target > 85%Average Transition Time Reduction: Achieve at least 40% faster transitionsIncident-Free Operation: Maintain a 100% safety record during the pilotOperational Reliability: Autonomous wheelchair uptime target of ≥ 95%Staff Familiarity and Protocol Adherence: Ensure ≥ 90% staff familiarity with operational protocols prior to pilot deploymentMechanisms for Achieving KPIsRegular Passenger Surveys: Capture detailed feedback on comfort, ease of use, perceived safety, and overall satisfaction.Time and Motion Studies: Precisely measure passenger transition times to verify efficiency improvements.Operational Monitoring and Rapid Response: Constant monitoring with immediate troubleshooting to maintain high reliability.Iterative Feedback Integration: Swift incorporation of passenger and staff feedback into ongoing operational adjustments.Consistent Staff Engagement: Regular briefings to ensure continuous alignment and protocol adherence.ConclusionDAAV’s autonomous wheelchair technology reinforces SBB’s commitment to accessible, inclusive, and customer-centric innovation. This structured five-month approach promises significant practical improvements in the travel experiences for PRM and elderly passengers, enhancing operational efficiency and positioning SBB as a leader in inclusive mobility solutions.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Inclusive PRM Services: Bridging Accessibility Gaps with Autonomous Wheelchairs
• Date: 3/16/2025 4:27:21 PM
• Administrators:
  • Mohsen Falahi

Project Idea Description

Background and Rationale

Navigating environments independently is fundamental to human dignity and quality of life; limitations in mobility severely impact daily experiences and overall well-being. Currently, over one billion individuals globally live with some form of disability, i.e. approximately 15% of the world’s population, many of whom experience reduced mobility. This demographic continues to expand, driven by aging populations and increased prevalence of chronic health conditions. Within public transport systems, passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) and elderly travelers frequently encounter challenges, particularly when transitioning between trains and navigating transport hubs. Although significant improvements have been made by SBB, operational gaps remain at key interchange points, such as Zurich or Geneva Airport, where multiple transportation modes and service providers intersect. These gaps manifest as stress, uncertainty, delays, and reduced independence for PRM travelers.

This project leverages DAAV autonomous wheelchairs to bridge these critical service gaps, providing safe, efficient, and seamless transfers between train platforms and within transport hubs, thus creating a continuous and barrier-free travel experience from railway platforms directly to airplane gates.

Proposed Pilot Site

We suggest starting the pilot in one of the two SBB stations: Zurich or Geneva Airports. DAAV has already established business relationships with Zurich Airport and their PRM service provider.

Objectives

• Significantly enhance the passenger experience for PRM and elderly travelers.
• Optimize passenger flow at major transport hubs.
• Increase safety, confidence, and independence of PRM passengers.
• Strengthen SBB’s reputation as an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable mobility provider.

Timeline & Action Plan

Month 1: Project Initiation and Stakeholder Alignment

In this phase, DAAV will gather all necessary information to initiate the project, making sure all stakeholders are engaged and the roles are defined.

• Form a project steering committee with representatives from SBB and DAAV.
• Conduct initial stakeholder meetings to define expectations and project outcomes.
• Engage PRM advocacy groups for initial insights and requirements gathering.

Month 2: Site Assessment and Detailed Planning

• Complete comprehensive site assessments at the targeted train station and airport to identify optimal wheelchair routes and key interaction points.
• Finalize detailed project requirements and wheelchair customization specifications based on stakeholder and PRM feedback.
• Develop operational and logistical plans for the pilot phase.

Month 3: Technology Customization and Infrastructure Setup

• Prepare 2 units of DAAV autonomous wheelchairs specifically for the pilot phase.
• Prepare the required infrastructure modifications, including elevator integration, and mapping for precise navigation routes.
• Brief operational and customer-service teams on the technology, protocols, and pilot expectations.

Month 4-5: Pilot Deployment and Real-World Passenger Testing

• Deploy autonomous wheelchairs to assist approximately 100 PRM and elderly passengers under real-world operational conditions.
• Collect ongoing feedback through passenger surveys, observational studies, and interviews to refine operations.
• Monitor wheelchair performance, passenger satisfaction, operational efficiency, and proactively address issues in real-time.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Passenger Satisfaction Rate: Target > 85%
• Average Transition Time Reduction: Achieve at least 40% faster transitions
• Incident-Free Operation: Maintain a 100% safety record during the pilot
• Operational Reliability: Autonomous wheelchair uptime target of ≥ 95%
• Staff Familiarity and Protocol Adherence: Ensure ≥ 90% staff familiarity with operational protocols prior to pilot deployment

Mechanisms for Achieving KPIs

• Regular Passenger Surveys: Capture detailed feedback on comfort, ease of use, perceived safety, and overall satisfaction.
• Time and Motion Studies: Precisely measure passenger transition times to verify efficiency improvements.
• Operational Monitoring and Rapid Response: Constant monitoring with immediate troubleshooting to maintain high reliability.
• Iterative Feedback Integration: Swift incorporation of passenger and staff feedback into ongoing operational adjustments.
• Consistent Staff Engagement: Regular briefings to ensure continuous alignment and protocol adherence.

Conclusion

DAAV’s autonomous wheelchair technology reinforces SBB’s commitment to accessible, inclusive, and customer-centric innovation. This structured five-month approach promises significant practical improvements in the travel experiences for PRM and elderly passengers, enhancing operational efficiency and positioning SBB as a leader in inclusive mobility solutions.

Passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) and elderly travelers face distinct challenges in the current public transport system, particularly during railway transfers and mode transitions.

Despite SBB’s commendable accessibility efforts, some gaps remain, including difficulty switching platforms efficiently or navigating independently to assistance points in transport hubs like Zurich or Geneva Airports.

These issues cause stress, potential delays, and compromised safety, negatively affecting travel experience and reducing confidence in public transport. Addressing these challenges aligns with SBB's commitment to inclusive and seamless mobility.

Our project leverages DAAV autonomous wheelchairs to close these service gaps, offering safe, timely, and efficient transportation between platforms and within hubs. This innovative approach

• enhances customer satisfaction,
• optimizes passenger flow, and
• promotes independence and inclusivity for PRM passengers.

Check www.daav.ch