Press Information

L.B. Foster Success at Railway Industry Association RISE Awards  

Technology-focused infrastructure solutions provider L.B. Foster Europe is celebrating a double success at this year’s Railway Industry Supply Excellence (RISE) Awards, highlighting excellence within the sector.

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L.B. Foster was the outright winner in the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award category for its innovative British Sign Language (BSL) departures software for Network Rail. The breakthrough software and in-screen BSL interpreter provides the Deaf community with timely access to critical travel information and is currently deployed across 10 Network Rail stations. The company was also Highly Commended in the Partnership Award category for its collaborative work with Network Rail and the Deaf community.

Ian Beeley is Head of Digital Display at L.B. Foster Europe.  He says: “This is timely recognition of all the hard work behind the scenes to design, develop and deliver this unique and innovative technology that is now enhancing the journey experience for members of our Deaf community.

“Our advanced Inform Media software and Inform mobile and fixed screen technology means that we can now host in-screen BSL interpreters that provide Deaf travellers with real-time access to critical journey information. Our smart software draws on real-time Network Rail data feeds. We are now delivering timely communications using BSL that really empowers the Deaf community to make informed decisions about travel.”

L.B. Foster partnered with Network Rail to bring the UK’s first in-screen British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on fixed and mobile digital passenger information displays at London Euston station in 2021. British Sign Language is the preferred language of over 87,000 deaf people in the UK.

Adam Cousins is L.B. Foster’s Head of Business Development. He explains: “We have taken Customer Information System (CIS) feeds for stations and translated the contents into BSL. Our Inform Media  content software takes the live departures data and displays the name of the destination alongside the platform and departure time. Any changes to normal operation, such as delays, cancellations, bus replacements or platform changes are reflected on screens

“All BSL videos are hosted locally on the screens, so changes to information can be highlighted instantly, without any delays while new videos are generated. In parallel with the departure information, our Inform Messaging system allows station staff to send operational messages to screens along with BSL translations to keep everyone up-to-date with the status of the network and any incidents which could affect how it runs.”

Hosted by the Railway Industry Association (RIA),  the RISE Awards ceremony took place at the Intercontinental Park Lane, Central London, with over 400 people in attendance.

For more information on L.B. Foster’s full range of rail technology solutions visit www.lbfoster.eu

ENDS
 

For press information contact:
 Clive Purcell
 Redbrick Communications Ltd
 T 07590 051695
 E clivep@redbrickcommunications.com