Technological and design interventions for independent public transport use by people with visual impairments

Introduction: Blind and low-vision individuals continue to encounter substantial barriers when accessing public transportation. Although technological solutions and design strategies have been developed to improve accessibility, their effectiveness has not been comprehensively synthesized. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and findings were integrated through a narrative synthesis structured according to the outcome hierarchy. Results: Of 912 records identified, 703 underwent screening, and 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. For the primary outcome, encompassing wayfinding and environmental detection, vehicle and route identification accuracy ranged from 96.89% to 100%, while in-station sign detection reached 0.97. An electronic travel aid also reduced cane use and collisions among 13 participants. Regarding secondary outcomes, perceived accessibility of a transit plaza ranged from 72% to 89%, while interface redesign improved task completion in simulated scenarios and reduced errors. Conclusions: Technological interventions demonstrate high levels of technical accuracy; however, only six studies included individuals with visual impairments in outcome assessments. Consequently, confidence in their effectiveness for supporting independent public transport use remains limited. Future research should prioritize direct assessments of users' travel behaviour and functional performance in real-world mobility settings.