Aira App for blind bus users expands to eight new Surrey areas – BBC

Report on the Expansion of an Accessible Transport Initiative in Surrey

Introduction and Project Overview

A report on the initiative by Surrey County Council to expand a trial program aimed at enhancing independent travel for blind and partially-sighted residents. The program utilizes the Aira application, a technology that connects users with trained visual interpreters via their smartphone camera. This service provides real-time guidance, directly contributing to the creation of inclusive public spaces and aligning with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project’s expansion demonstrates a commitment to achieving global sustainability targets on a local level, with a significant emphasis on the following SDGs:

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The initiative directly addresses the accessibility barriers faced by persons with visual impairments, promoting their full and effective participation in society by ensuring equitable access to public transport.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By making public transport networks more accessible, the council is actively working towards Target 11.2, which calls for safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The service enhances user safety and reduces the stress and anxiety associated with navigating public spaces, thereby promoting mental and physical well-being.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is a model of effective collaboration between a local authority (Surrey County Council), a private transport operator (Govia Thameslink Railway), and a charitable organization (Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey), showcasing a multi-stakeholder approach to achieving the SDGs.

Scope of Expansion and Implementation Details

The trial, which was initially successful in four key transport hubs, has now been extended to cover additional bus stops and rail interchanges. This expansion is critical for creating a more integrated and accessible transport network, furthering the objectives of SDG 11.

1. Initial Trial Locations: Guildford, Staines, Redhill, and Woking.
2. Newly Added Locations: Caterham, Dorking, Oxted, Leatherhead, Epsom (Station and Clocktower), Reigate, and Horley.

A key component of this initiative’s contribution to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) is that the council has ensured all app usage at these designated locations is provided free of charge to the user, removing potential economic barriers to access.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Impact Assessment

Statements from key partners highlight the project’s success in advancing sustainability and inclusivity objectives:

• Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council: Emphasized the goal of creating “better and joined-up journeys,” a core principle for developing the sustainable and accessible transport infrastructure mandated by SDG 11.
• Carl Martin, Govia Thameslink Railway: Noted that the expansion allows passengers to travel with “greater confidence between rail and bus services,” which supports the development of integrated and sustainable multimodal transport systems.
• Clare Burgess, Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey: Confirmed that the application makes independent travel “so much easier and less stressful,” directly attesting to the project’s positive impact on user well-being (SDG 3) and independence (SDG 10).

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article directly addresses the inequality faced by blind and partially-sighted individuals in accessing public services and navigating public spaces. The Aira app trial is an initiative designed to reduce these barriers, promoting greater independence and inclusion for people with disabilities.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus of the initiative is on improving public transport infrastructure (bus stops and railway stations) within several Surrey towns. By making these transport systems more accessible, the local authority is working towards creating a more inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban environment for all residents, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article details a specific program aimed at empowering visually impaired residents. By providing a tool that makes “independent travel so much easier and less stressful,” the council is actively promoting the social inclusion of people with disabilities, allowing them to participate more fully in community life.
   • Target 11.2: “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all… with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations… persons with disabilities…” The article is entirely focused on this target. The expansion of the Aira app trial to more “bus stops and rail interchanges” is a direct action to provide accessible transport systems for persons with disabilities. The council’s statement about creating “better and joined-up journeys for people who are visually impaired” explicitly aligns with this goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Implied Indicator for Target 10.2: While no official indicator is named, the article provides data that can be used to measure progress. The primary indicator is the implementation and expansion of policies and services that promote inclusion. The article shows progress by stating the trial, which was already offered in four locations (Guildford, Staines, Redhill, Woking), has now been expanded to seven more (Caterham, Dorking, Oxted, Leatherhead, Epsom, Reigate, Horley). This expansion serves as a clear measure of the council’s growing commitment to inclusion.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 11.2: A key measure for this target is the accessibility of public transport. The article implies an indicator related to the “proportion of public transport hubs that are accessible to persons with disabilities.” The progress is demonstrated by the increase in the number of locations where the Aira service is available. The article quantifies this by listing the specific bus and rail interchanges added to the trial, providing a concrete measure of improved accessibility. The fact that the “app usage at the available locations would be free of charge” also serves as an indicator of affordability for this vulnerable group.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… disability…	The implementation and expansion of the Aira app trial, a service designed to promote the inclusion of visually impaired residents. Progress is shown by the increase in covered locations.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all… with special attention to the needs of… persons with disabilities…	The number of public transport hubs (bus stops and rail interchanges) made accessible through the Aira service. The article notes an expansion from four initial locations to include seven more, and specifies that the service is free of charge.

Source: bbc.com