Passengers head to gates at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in early June 2024. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
Travelers with disabilities or unfamiliar with Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport now have a new app to guide them through the terminal — the first venue in the state to offer such a program.
Airport officials last month announced the deployment of GoodMaps, an indoor navigation and interactive digital mapping system designed to help people who are blind, deaf, hard of hearing, neurodivergent or non-native language speakers.
Travelers who use the smartphone app can receive audio and visual directions to locations in the terminal, including restrooms, food options, stores, water fountains, baggage claim, and places to charge their phones.
Maps are made with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, which uses laser pulses to measure distance.
“Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport recognizes that every passenger deserves an exceptional travel experience,” airport spokesperson John Goodman said in a statement.
The airport’s contract with GoodMaps, which was signed Sept. 19, totals $31,000 over two years, covering the creation of the indoor navigation system, app development, and ongoing support. The service was activated just ahead of holiday travel.
T.F. Green officials plan to hold a community demonstration at the Warwick airport at 10 a.m. on Jan. 29.
GoodMaps is also used at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, Deer Lake Airport in Canada, Newark Liberty Airport, and Portland International Airport in Oregon.
“We also have Calgary Airport, Bradley Airport, and a pilot at Heathrow Airport going live before the end of the quarter,” said Evelyn Tichenor, vice president of sales and marketing for GoodMaps.
Boston’s Logan International Airport went live with its own interactive indoor map made by the U.K.-based startup Pointr in November 2023.
Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council Director Kevin Nerney said he believes the new service will be a positive experience for travelers at T.F. Green.
“Anything that makes places more accessible, we support 100%,” he said in an interview. “It could really help people map out a whole host of things.”
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.