NCCB Transportation Committee Reports

Transportation Committee Reports

2022-102-12NCCB Transportation Committee Report NCCB Board Meeting

2022-102-12NCCB Transportation Committee Report NCCB Board Meeting

February 12th, 2022

NCCB Transportation Committee Report

Goal and Background:

One of the goals of the transportation committee is to get the Town of

Chapel Hill to undertake a pilot project to use NaviLens “codes” to make 

it easier for blind/low-vision bus riders (but really everyone) to find 

bus stops, identify the bus routes serving it, get “real-time” bus 

arrival information, and read signs posted in the bus (in multiple 

languages depending on the preferred language of the rider).  The 

experience gained by such a project could potentially lead to the 

adoption of this new technology throughout the state.

See https://www.navilens.com/en/ for much information and examples of 

the codes

Several other bus systems nationwide are running such pilot projects 

using NaviLens.  One city that is well into the pilot is San Antonio, 

Texas.  See the article “App Will Help Blind, Visually Impaired Navigate 

San Antonio” at

https://texasnewstoday.com/the-new-app-should-help-blind-via-bus-sliders-navigate-routes/433253/

The committee is looking at ways to help the pilot project which 

should help Chapel Hill to decide to proceed with a pilot. The funds 

would be used to help pay for the necessary NaviLens “codes” and 

technical expertise to implement the pilot.

One of the goals of the transportation committee is to get the Town of

Chapel Hill to undertake a pilot project to use NaviLens “codes” to make 

it easier for blind/low-vision bus riders (but really everyone) to find 

bus stops, identify the bus routes serving it, get “real-time” bus 

arrival information, and read signs posted in the bus (in multiple 

languages depending on the preferred language of the rider).  The 

experience gained by such a project could potentially lead to the 

adoption of this new technology throughout the state.

See https://www.navilens.com/en/ for much information and examples of 

the codes

Several other bus systems nationwide are running such pilot projects 

using NaviLens.  One city that is well into the pilot is San Antonio, 

Texas.  See the article “App Will Help Blind, Visually Impaired Navigate 

San Antonio” at

https://texasnewstoday.com/the-new-app-should-help-blind-via-bus-sliders-navigate-routes/433253/

Budget Request:

The committee is requesting $5000 to help fund the pilot project which

should help Chapel Hill to decide to proceed with a pilot. This would help to acquire  the necessary NaviLens “codes” and 

technical expertise to implement the pilot.