ACCESSIBILITY: The TOC Ability consortium has published a report into the use of digital technology to improve the accessibility of the UK rail network by enabling disabled passengers to share their journey requirements with train operators while protecting their privacy.

The consortium comprises Atkins, Arriva, Enable iD, Goss Consultancy, Loughborough University, Transport for London and the University of Surrey, and was backed with funding from the UK’s Rail Safety & Standards Board.

TOC Ability aims to provide a scalable framework for sharing requirements between train operators, while protecting personally identifiable information. A unique consent management system would be integrated within booking and passenger relationship management systems. This is designed to meet international governance standards for data protection, including the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation.

The trials found that TOC Ability offers a ‘cost-effective and flexible way of improving accessibility and inclusivity’, according to Zoe Shute, Project Manager at Atkins.  ‘Using digital technology in this way means that we don’t need to wait for long-term planned infrastructure enhancements to provide a better service to all passengers now.’