Barrier-free lift operation on the Wiener Linien

The Wiener Linien has implemented a comprehensive package of measures on barrier freedom in cooperation with Schaefer. At the heart of this is the Schaefer "LiftBoy" system, which permits contact-free lift operation per smartphone.

Challenge and goal

Thousands of people with restricted mobility or impaired vision make use of public transport daily. However, many passengers reported that lift buttons were placed too high or were difficult to operate. Moreover, during the Corona pandemic the aim was to reduce the necessity of touching surfaces. The goal was creating a solution that reduced barriers and at the same time modernised existing lifts without interfering with the controller.

Technical concept and implementation

Photo: © Maximilian Döringer / Wiener Linien

The LiftBoy enables lifts to be retrofitted without changing the controller, according to Schaefer. It consists of Bluetooth low energy (BLE) modules, which are connected in parallel to the lift buttons. Operation occurs via a barrier-free app that is available both under iOS as well as Android. Users can call lifts and select target floors without having to actuate physical buttons. The app is completely compatible for blind and visually-handicapped people with screen readers such as VoiceOver. Touching the display causes button designations and supplementary information (e.g. "Level 0 – exit to tram") to be issued acoustically.

An optionally activatable barrier-freedom mode extends the door opening time to give wheelchair users or people with walking aids more time to get in or out. Up to mid-2025, 46 lifts have already been equipped with LiftBoy. The goal is to equip all lifts in the route network of the Wiener Linien with app control by the end of the year.

Supplementary measures

The "two-sense principle" was also implemented as part of the project. For example, multilingual announcements provide information in the landing fixtures in German and English if a lift is out-of-order. In addition, high-contrast large surface buttons of the Schaefer B 50 type were used, which the Wiener Linien had been using for decades as standard, according to the press release of Schaefer. They were easy to feel and see.

Practical benefits and response

"We developed the app for practical reasons," reported Hans-Jürgen Groß, Group officer for barrier-freedom at the Wiener Stadtwerken and a wheelchair user himself. "Some buttons were placed too high. In addition, we wanted to create a hygienically safe system. For me personally, the extended door opening time in particular is a great gain since it makes relaxed entry possible."

The feedback from the community had been entirely positive, according to Schaefer. The new solution for the first time had facilitated independent and self-determined use of lifts without being dependent on assistance. The success of the project had been one of the factors which had contributed to the City of Vienna being honoured with the Access City Award by the European Commission in 2025.

Schaefer Online Follow this link to the web-presence of Schaefer.