Talking City: Leningrad Region Leads in Transit Accessibility

Leningrad Region is implementing smart audio systems across public transit routes to improve mobility and autonomy for elderly and visually impaired passengers.

Audio Systems for Mobility-Impaired Passengers

A new initiative called 'Talking City' has launched in Leningrad Region to enhance mobility for elderly, blind, and visually impaired citizens. Public buses and central stops are being outfitted with audio alert systems that announce vehicle arrivals, route directions, door operations, and accessibility features like low-floor entry.

The goal is to reduce barriers and increase independence for mobility-impaired passengers. The introduction of this technology marks a major step forward in building inclusive public infrastructure. If successful, the model could serve as a blueprint for other smart cities across the country.

Toward a Unified Smart Ecosystem

The program could extend to railway stations and healthcare facilities, further strengthening Leningrad’s digital and transport infrastructure. By integrating with broader Smart City systems, officials aim to build a cohesive digital ecosystem that serves a diverse population.

With rising global demand for inclusive technology, there is also strong export potential, particularly to CIS countries and parts of Europe.

Creating an accessible environment is a nationwide task that requires unified standards. A blind individual should be able to move freely across the country. So far, Talking City is the most effective system for real-time audio guidance for the visually impaired

Sergey Sokhransky

member of the Russian Ministry of Transport’s advisory board on accessible transport

Nationwide Expansion Underway

Talking City is not isolated to Leningrad. The first audio-equipped traffic lights appeared during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Since then, similar systems have been introduced in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and were widely adopted in Rostov, Perm, and Sevastopol during 2023–2024. In 2024, Lipetsk began testing the system on buses and signals, joining regions like Krasnoyarsk, Kaliningrad, and Yoshkar-Ola.

With over a decade of trials and deployments, the technology has proven itself ready for full-scale rollout.

Driving Innovation and Improving Quality of Life

Long term, Talking City can significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities by ensuring accessible and safe public transit. It aligns with national goals for inclusive infrastructure, boosts demand for adaptive technologies, and supports domestic innovation.

Technologically, the project opens doors for integrating GPS, augmented reality, transit telemetry, and behavioral analytics. However, successful scaling will require consistent infrastructure upgrades and staff training.

Officials expect the system to reach the entire Leningrad Region transit network within two years. There's also discussion around a nationwide platform featuring open APIs and BI tools for regional customization and management.