Austrian Post Wins Design Award for Pickup Stations

To make their self-service offerings accessible to blind and visually impaired people, Austrian Post has worked together with the Austrian Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired (BSVÖ) and the manufacturer Keba on a further development of the pickup stations. These have now been awarded two International Design Awards, recognizing the Post’s commitment in this area.

(Vienna) The “Design for All Foundation” awarded the new pickup stations in the “Best Practice” category. Additionally, the solution received the bronze award from the IAUD (International Association for Universal Design) based in Tokyo.

Austrian Post has been in contact with the Austrian Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired for several years. The goal was to make self-service offerings available to blind and visually impaired people as well. In this context, adjustments were made to the user guidance at the pickup stations for blind and visually impaired individuals through audio guidance. Furthermore, the challenge was to make the compartment where the package is stored identifiable for blind and visually impaired people. Finding the correct compartment can be particularly challenging in large pickup stations, which can have up to 400 compartments.

Tests with Test Users

To this end, a constant clicking sound is emitted from the lock after the compartment is opened. Customers are now guided in the audio instructions in the right direction – left or right of the control module – and asked to follow the clicking sound. The noise stops as soon as the package is removed and the compartment door is closed again.

The solution was implemented in collaboration with the Linz automation specialist Keba and after numerous tests with various test users in cooperation with the Austrian Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and has already been rolled out across all 460 pickup stations throughout Austria. In the next step, the franking machines and shipping boxes will be adapted for accessibility. The rollout is set to begin this summer and is expected to be finalized by 2023.

Photo: © Austrian Post