Inclusive Mobility in Kuopio, Finland: Safer Streets for All
In Kuopio, Finland, SWARCO has launched an innovative pilot project aimed at improving road safety for visually impaired pedestrians. The project integrates smart traffic technology with the self-voicing Blindsquare navigation app (developed by Mipsoft), allowing users to request green lights via smartphone, receive voice guidance at crossings, and benefit from adaptive signal durations that ensure safe and confident crossing. The system also informs users in real time about signal status changes, enhancing mobility without needing to physically interact with street infrastructure.
Designed With and For the Visually Impaired
This solution was developed through close collaboration with the visually impaired community to address real-world challenges—like difficulty hearing audio signals in noisy city environments or identifying push buttons. Feedback from users highlighted how much safer and more independent they feel using the system. Smartwatches and voice prompts remove the need to locate physical buttons, and extended green lights provide the time and assurance needed to cross intersections comfortably, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Driving Equitable Mobility Forward
The Kuopio pilot marks an important step toward inclusive mobility by using accessible technology to remove barriers and empower vulnerable road users. SWARCO’s integration of self-voicing apps and real-time traffic data not only supports safe navigation but also reflects a broader commitment to equitable, intelligent transportation systems. This initiative offers a scalable model for inclusive infrastructure that can be replicated globally, ensuring safer, smarter streets—“The Better Way. Every Day. For Everyone.”
Read more on the swarco website about the self-voicing Blindsquare navigation app
Photo is from the same article.
