Award-winning Solutions for the Blind and Partially Sighted

VIA Rail was issued a challenge by the International Union of Railways to develop a solution for blind and partially sighted passengers to assist them in their station journey from curb to platform. And we are always up for a great challenge!

We began by partnering with the Canadian Council of the Blind and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, through which we gained a better understanding of the lived experience of blind and partially sighted passengers. Using this deeper knowledge, VIA Rail launched the Clear Station pilot project to increase accessibility. We installed beacons to improve situational awareness and provided sonar wristbands to detect obstacles. The feedback was very positive, and we are working on an action plan to further advance the technology.

Great news! On June 18, during the Grands Prix d'excellence en transports de l'Association québecoise des transports gala, VIA Rail won the Prix du Public 2019 for Clear Station! And that’s not all! VIA Rail also received the Prix Ambassadeur recognizing a stand-out transportation project for its innovation and technical realisation aligned with sustainable mobility objectives.