Thanks to Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT), the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), descriptive maps outlining BaltimoreLink, a proposed new transit improvement plan for Baltimore, are now available for individuals who are visually-impaired.
The multi-phase plan will create an interconnected transit system that includes redesigning the entire local and express bus systems throughout Baltimore and adding 12 new high-frequency, color-coded bus routes that improve connections to jobs and other transit modes. The plan also will improve bus stop and wayfinding signage and provide additional resources and materials to make the system more user-friendly. Transit changes will be fully implemented by June 2017.
“Due to the way traditional transit maps are designed, individuals who are blind do not always have access to the same information as their sighted counterparts,” said David Bouchard, a designer on the project. “As a result, individuals with visual impairments may not know the extent of proposed service changes.”
To address the problem, CMRT, in conjunction with MTA and NFB, created a series of BaltimoreLink descriptive maps that enable individuals, regardless of visual ability, to understand the numerous changes that will impact Baltimore transit riders. This accessibility project, which was done free of charge, takes the user through a textual turn-by-turn description of where the route begins, the direction of travel throughout the route, significant stops and transfer points, and where the route ends. This descriptive method can complement visual maps and serve as a wayfinding tool for persons using screen-reading software such as JAWS or VoiceOver.
“BaltimoreLink is a transformative plan that will provide high-frequency service on an efficient, connected system to get people to jobs and enhance their quality of life,” said MTA Administrator Paul Comfort. “It’s a key component of MTA’s ongoing drive to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit with world-class customer service. World-class customer service means providing accessible, comprehensive information on this transformative plan to all our customers. So, that’s exactly what we did, in collaboration with our partners at CMRT and the National Federation of the Blind. These detailed maps and materials will help our visually-impaired customers understand how our new transit system will directly benefit them.”
NFB President Sharon Maneki said, “The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland commends the Central Maryland Regional Transit and MTA for working to make information about BaltimoreLink accessible to the blind. Since blind persons must depend on public transportation to participate fully in all aspects of community life, it is essential that we have information about the time, route and destination of buses. We look forward to future development of the BaltimoreLink system and hope that the information will continue to be available to all citizens, including the blind.”
The text-based maps are housed on the MTA's website at www.mta.maryland.gov/baltimorelink, and can be conveniently accessed on a computer or smartphone.
