Fantastic news! UK's London Euston station goes live with British Sign Language screens to deliver up-to-date passenger information.
Developed by Nottingham-based screen manufacturer LB Foster and a Leicester-based British Sign Language company, the screens provide BSL information for sign language users. Messages are converted into British Sign Language in an hour and uploaded to the screens via 4G.
LB Foster technical operations manager Graham Kett said: “Adding British Sign Language interpretation into the system is a huge step forward in making operational information more accessible. This is functionality we want to roll out to more stations and in more use cases; simply put, all key messages being put out in written text or audio can fall into the scope of this system, which will make using the rail network more inclusive for more people.”
Loraine Martins, Network Rail’s director of diversity and inclusion, said: “We understand that rail travel can be daunting for anyone with specific needs and we’re always looking at ways we can improve accessibility so everyone can travel with confidence.
We’re really excited to have these screens installed and in action, to see the real difference they will make for passengers who use British Sign Language. Euston station is proud to be leading the way, and I look forward to a time in the not too distant future when screens like these will be the norm on the railway and not an exception.”
£1.1m have been invested by Network Rail in ten passenger information touchscreens, and a large screen will be installed near the arrival and departure boards on the main concourse.
The touchscreens have a library of standard messages but can provide more information when unexpected disruption occurs.
This is an amazing step forward, and hopefully, more screens will be rolled out across the country at other Network Rail managed stations.
