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Cities Unlocked

Be inspired

We estimate that 4 million people will be living with sight loss in the UK by 2050. We need to better understand the problem from the individuals' perspective and identify integrated solutions to make cities enjoyable for everyone.

Challenge

Watch our short films and find out more about the everyday challenges of people with sight loss and the remarkable ways which they are forced to overcome them.

Demonstrator

Discover how we developed, trialled and tested our 3D soundscape technology on a route from Reading to London.

Opportunities

Learn about the emerging opportunities for city planners, architects, technologists and policy makers the world over.

11 results

Topics: Overall
Research state: Opportunity

Finding opportunities; horizon scans and visioning workshops

We have endeavoured to understand the opportunities for Future Cities to be better designed for people with sight loss. We have undertaken…

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Topics: Overall
Research state: Challenge

Understanding the challenge

Many people with sight loss are too anxious to leave home alone Getting around cities is a nerve-wracking experience for too many people,…

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Topics: Overall
Research state: Demonstrator

3D soundscape technology enabled journey - results

Based on the research you can explore in ‘Challenges’, and equipped with a model of well being developed by Guide Dogs we…

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Topics: Overall, Planning
Research state: Challenge

Navigating with a mental map relies on things being where they are expected to be. When they are not significant difficulties can arise

Above almost anything else people with sight loss rely on predictability in their environment. Carefully constructed routes only work when…

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Topics: Overall, People Power
Research state: Challenge

Certain behaviors by members of the public can have a significant negative impact people with sight loss when travelling

From cycling on the pavement to pushing in front of them, there is a perception amongst some people with sight loss that members of the…

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Topics: Interchange, On Transport
Research state: Challenge

Finding the right person to help

Asking for help from a passer by is often the best way to deal with a complicated or unknown step in a journey. However not all passers by…

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Topics: Find, On Transport
Research state: Challenge

Many people with sight loss find it difficult to identify unoccupied seats which makes travel on busses and trains more difficult

Moving through a potentially crowded train carriage or bus and finding an unoccupied seat can be present huge problems for people with…

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Topics: Find, Interchange, On Transport
Research state: Challenge

Finding and opening the doors, dealing with the gap between the train and platform and getting aboard can all be challenges for people with sight loss

Once someone has reached the correct platform and identified the train they must find the doors and get on. Predicting where the doors will…

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Topics: Interchange, On Transport
Research state: Challenge

Different layouts of bus stops have a bearing on how easy they are to locate

The first step to catching a bus is locating the stop. Bus stops that have a distinctive tactile profile and are positioned on the kerb…

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Topics: Hear, Overall
Research state: Opportunity

Visioning workshop, opportunity: Hearing the City

Many partially sighted people suffer from a lack of information about their surroundings or situation. Often they rely on the descriptions…

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Topics: On Transport
Research state: Demonstrator

On the bus

Boarding the bus, Kate using the technology to find her seat. She’s told the journey to the station will take about 20 minutes. The…

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