Transport and visually impaired people

This review paper examines the relationship between disability and transport, with a particular focus on visually impaired people (VIP). Contemporary transport systems often fail to accommodate the diverse requirements associated with disability, including the range of disabilities and varied requirements, limiting independent mobility and participation in everyday life. The review synthesises literature from transport planning, disability studies, urban design, psychology, policy and assistive technology to examine how legal frameworks, the built environment and emerging technologies impact the travel experience of VIP. Drawing primarily on UK evidence, the review identifies and links legacy, persistent and contemporary problems in transport design and policy that continue to constrain mobility, including longstanding shortcomings in infrastructure, information systems, policy implementation and emerging challenges associated with evolving street design and new technologies. The review highlights major conceptual and empirical gaps, particularly concerning the psychological and emotional dimensions of travel and the interaction between environmental design, spatial cognition and participation. The conclusion proposes a research, policy and design agenda aimed at creating more inclusive streets and transport systems.