Smart Accessibility: How Technology Is Changing the Way We Navigate Cities
In today’s fast-paced world, building inclusive cities means thinking beyond ramps and elevators. Thanks to technology, urban spaces like Singapore are becoming smarter and more accessible for everyone, from seniors and people with disabilities to families with young children.
Let’s explore how smart tech is shaping accessibility in Singapore — and how it’s redefining the way we move through the city.
Smart Traffic Signals for Safer Crossings
Crossing busy intersections can be stressful for seniors and people with mobility challenges. To address this, Singapore introduced the Green Man+ initiative — a brilliant example of inclusive urban technology.
Source: greenMe
At participating pedestrian crossings, seniors and individuals with disabilities can tap their Senior Citizen Concession Card or PAssion Silver Card on the card reader. In response, the green man light extends by 3 to 13 seconds, giving them more time to cross safely.
This small change makes a big difference, promoting independence while enhancing safety.
What’s more impressive is the scale of this rollout. According to the LTA Annual Report, as of 2022, over 1,000 pedestrian crossings across Singapore were equipped with Green Man+ technology, primarily near healthcare institutions, senior activity centres, and public transport hubs. This shows how accessibility considerations are being woven directly into urban planning, rather than being treated as afterthoughts.
The smart card integration also means that this solution is seamless, non-intrusive, and preserves user dignity — a key principle in designing for accessibility. Instead of needing to "ask for help," individuals simply tap and go, just like everyone else.
Booking Platforms with Accessibility Filters
Planning a trip around the city? Apps like Grab and Gojek now offer options to filter for vehicles that accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Meanwhile, accommodation booking platforms like Agoda and Booking.com have integrated accessibility filters, letting users select hotels with wheelchair-accessible rooms, step-free entry, and accessible bathrooms.
Additionally, you can refer to accessible-singapore.com/accommodations. This is Your All-in-One Travel Platform, where you’ll find useful information regarding the accessible accommodations in Singapore if this is your first visit to the Lion City.
Source: accessible-singapore.com
These options empower travelers to make informed choices and enjoy their adventures with peace of mind.
Even ride-hailing companies have started piloting programs for on-demand wheelchair-accessible vehicles, with subsidies to encourage more drivers to retrofit their cars. These steps ensure that accessible travel isn’t limited to government-run services but is a shared responsibility across the public and private sectors.
Beyond Transport: Smart Public Spaces
Accessibility isn’t just about getting from one place to another — it’s also about comfort once you arrive.
Many public spaces in Singapore, including Gardens by the Bay and Jewel Changi Airport, now use sensor-activated doors, touchless bathrooms, and real-time navigation maps that highlight accessible routes and amenities.
These advancements reduce physical barriers and allow everyone to enjoy iconic locations effortlessly.
Moreover, programs like the Happy Toilet Programme ensure that public toilets meet high accessibility and cleanliness standards, making the everyday experience smoother for all.
Source: Restroom Association (Singapore)
Launched by the Restroom Association (Singapore), the Happy Toilet Programme uses a star-rating system and emphasizes features such as grab bars, anti-slip flooring, and easy-to-reach soap dispensers. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about dignity. Clean, safe, and accessible toilets are a basic human right, and Singapore is among the few cities to institutionalize this in its sanitation policy.
Another underappreciated innovation is the use of beacon technology in spaces like Changi Airport, which helps visually impaired users navigate indoor environments through Bluetooth-enabled guidance systems linked to mobile apps. As cities around the world explore similar solutions, Singapore is already laying the groundwork for inclusive smart spaces.
Smart Cities Are Inclusive Cities
Singapore’s vision for a smart city is not just about efficiency — it’s about inclusivity.
By using technology to enhance accessibility, the city is creating a future where navigating urban spaces becomes easier, safer, and more empowering for everyone.
It’s also a reflection of national values: an inclusive society that leaves no one behind. The Enabling Masterplans, public-private partnerships, and community feedback loops all point toward a city that listens and evolves. Technology is not just about automation — in Singapore, it’s about connection, care, and human-centered design.
As cities around the world look toward smarter futures, Singapore’s approach offers an inspiring blueprint: a city that’s connected not just by wires and signals, but by care, empathy, and innovation.