UK: The Rail Delivery Group is planning to develop a centralised British Sign Language real-time information system to make the national railway network more inclusive for deaf passengers.
Pre-market engagement is underway to determine the viability and potential cost of meeting RDG’s requirements for a scalable and hardware and software agnostic system that can be integrated into industry-approved digital channels, stations screens and onboard trains.
It is envisaged that tenders could be called in April 2026. The contract could run from October 2026 to the end of September 2029, with a possible three-year extension.
Previous projects
A number of train operators have previously taken steps to improve accessibility for deaf users, who might not have learned to read text and instead use BSL, which is a separate language rather than a form of signed English.
LNER worked with the Doncaster Deaf Trust on the introduction of British Sign Language to station departure boards. Northern is introducing BSL announcements on its services using technology developed by InfoTec and Signapse, TransPennine Express conducted a voice to screen text trial for conductor announcements and is training staff to support deaf and hard of hearing customers. Southeastern is using the SignLive app to enable station staff to speak with a live interpreter who can sign back to customers.
London Overground has tested an app that translates digital passenger information into BSL using the Luna platform supplied by GoMedia, with translation technology from Signapse. BSL users can contact East Midlands Railway via the InterpretersLive! service provided by Sign Solutions.
Visual Disruption Map short videos from National Rail Enquiries also include subtitles and BSL.
