Internet-of-Things-based Smart Bus Detection Platform for the Visually Impaired

Visually impaired individuals face various commuting challenges, including limited bus accessibility and safety risks. This study proposes a smart bus detection system (SBDS), comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, beacon, cloud-computing web server, and iOS application. Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing technology, SBDS achieves real-time bus tracking. After installing and testing at multiple bus stations, the SBDS proved reliable for live bus monitoring and assisting visually impaired riders. The web server allows administrators to monitor the system and view bus arrival and departure times, with data for quality assurance. An application was created to provide information in an accessible format, including text for non-visually impaired users and voice announcements for visually impaired users. The result confirms the system’s value for visually impaired bus riders, demonstrating the feasibility of an IoT-based bus detection platform to enhance smart bus services and safety.