Canadian National Institute for the Blind | WSP Complete Streets, Active Transportation
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Creating Bus Stops Usable by All Canadians

WSP works with CNIB to identify and eliminate barriers for people living with sight loss.

WSP’s Complete Streets and Active Transportation team has completed research for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) that looks at the impact of elevated transit platforms on people living with sight loss.

Dave McLaughlin

“Communities across Canada are investing in building active transportation networks, allowing people to have easier access to key areas around the city without the use of a car. As we integrate these networks into the community’s transportation structure, it’s important for us to understand how we do so in the most inclusive way possible.”

Dave McLaughlin
National Active Transportation Practice Lead

The focus of the team’s research, led by Justin Jones, Matt Pinder, and Yousteena Bocktor, was on island platform transit stops, an emerging design where a separated cycling facility diverts around a bus stop, routing cyclists between the bus stop and the sidewalk. These designs can pose challenges for people living with sight loss, making it difficult to safely navigate a transit service that many people rely on for day-to-day activities.


Canadian National Institute for the Blind | WSP Complete Streets, Active Transportation


The pioneering research included structured site visits to five sites across Canada with paid participants who live with sight loss. WSP utilized its international expertise in behavioural science to inform the research methodology, and leveraged its Canada-wide presence to execute the testing simultaneously in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, London, and Montreal.

Chris Tyrrell 432

“Utilizing the national and international resources available to us, we were able to produce comprehensive research on the issue itself, quantify the impact it has on people with vision loss, and understand the best possible solutions. Thanks to this cooperation, we were able to truly appreciate just how much of an impact the island platforms have, and worked with the CNIB to propose solutions for governments to adopt to make these stops more accessible for everyone.”

Chris Tyrrell
Vice-President, Planning

To learn more about the study and read its final recommendations, visit the CNIB’s Clearing Our Path website: clearingourpath.ca

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