By: Mary Ann Bent
Navigating construction zones can be challenging for anyone, but unexpected sidewalk closures and detours can create hazards and barriers to safe and independent travel for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision.
A new Toronto pilot project is exploring how accessible navigation technology can help. Developed through a partnership between the City of Toronto, CNIB, BlindSquare, Transnomis Solutions, and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), the City of Toronto Accessible Sidewalk Construction Work Zones pilot project provides pedestrians with timely, location-specific information about construction-related disruptions.
The project combines municipal construction data with accessible navigation technology. Here’s how it works: Using the BlindSquare EVENT navigation app, pedestrians approaching a construction zone receive location-specific audio alerts, describing construction information such as sidewalk and crosswalk closures, and detours.
As part of the pilot, CNIB created the template for the work zone alerts and engaged people with lived experience to test the technology in real-world environments. Their feedback has provided valuable insights into how the technology works in practice and helped identify opportunities to improve the user experience.
The technology is currently being tested at select construction sites across Toronto, and the response has been very positive, with overwhelming support for expanding the pilot citywide.
Interest has also extended beyond Toronto. Demonstrations at the Intelligent Transportation Society of Canada (ITS Canada) conference generated interest from other municipalities across Canada.
The project received the 2026 ITS Canada Mobility Award for Social Responsibility and Accessibility, recognizing its innovative approach to making urban mobility more inclusive.
You can read about this project and the other award winners on the 2026 ITS Canada Mobility Award webpage.