Evaluation of three pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signals configurations in Quebec City (Canada): an exploratory study of blind or visually impaired persons' sense of safety, preferences, and expectations

PURPOSE

This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the preferences, expectations, and sense of safety of blind or visually impaired persons regarding three types of pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signals configurations that exist in Quebec City (Canada). These include: 1) exclusive phasing with non-directional audible pedestrian signals; 2) exclusive phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals; and 3) concurrent phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals.

METHODS

Thirty-two blind or visually impaired persons were asked to complete a survey. Their preferences and expectations regarding audible pedestrian signals were documented through a series of simulations. Their sense of safety regarding the three existing configurations were also documented. Subsequently, semi-directed, individual interviews with 11 of the individuals who had completed the survey were conducted to build off the collected information.

RESULTS

No formal consensus regarding many of the issues discussed were established as participants' responses varied too significantly. However, findings suggest that the exclusive phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals configuration is perceived to be the safest option by the participants.

CONCLUSION

This study may have practical implications on the design of intersections (e.g., selection of a type of pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signal) and the training of blind or visually impaired pedestrians.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe addition of audible pedestrian signals to pedestrian signals heightens the sense of safety of blind or visually impaired persons.This study may have practical implications on the design of intersections with audible pedestrian signals and the selection of a type of audible pedestrian signals based on intersection characteristics.Since many participants reported a lower sense of safety when faced with concurrent phasing, it is recommended that more intensive orientation and mobility interventions be provided to blind or visually impaired pedestrians who use this type of traffic signals.Educating road users about blind or visually impaired pedestrians appears also essential.

Usability of a navigation application for travel in Quebec City with wheeled mobility device and, further validation of the Evaluation of satisfaction with geospatial assistive technology

PURPOSE

Knowledge of route accessibility is indispensable for "wheeled mobility device" users to travel safely and efficiently; however, current navigation technologies hardly provide adapted information for this population. Aims of the study were to collect data on the usability of a navigation application and to propose a version 1.0 of the Evaluation of satisfaction with geospatial assistive technology (ESGAT), by addressing the criterion, construct and cross-cultural validities.

METHOD

A filmed field trial and a methodological study were conducted in parallel. Thirty wheeled mobility device users were filmed planning and making a 10-minute known journey using the HERE WeGo app. The ESGAT, ÉSTGA (French version) and the Computer System Usability Questionnaire were administered. A video observation grid addressed the effectiveness and efficiency during the journey. Descriptive, correlation and multiple match analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Fourteen men and 16 women averaging 45.9 years old tried out HERE WeGo; 14 were powered wheelchair users. Usability of the app was moderate (good effectiveness, moderate efficiency and quite satisfied). The criterion validity of the ÉSTGA was good (r = 0.598; p < 0.001). The construct validity was average considering the results for factor 1 (α = 0.789, acceptable), factor 2 (α = 0,586, low) and factor 3 (α = 0.409, unacceptable). The cross-cultural validity (French vs English) was moderate (r = 0.861; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

ESGAT and ÉSTGA 1.0 questionnaires are now available in English and French with a total mean score (11 items), an informatics subscore (mean of 5 items) and a geomatic subscore (mean of 6 items). Their validation should be pursued with new navigation applications. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONClinicians should ask their clients using a wheeled mobility device to test navigation applications to ensure their safety and complete the Evaluation of satisfaction with geospatial assistive technology (ESGAT 1.0), also available in French.Clinicians should inquire about satisfaction for items addressing informatics (Ease of access, Learnability, Hands-free function, Ease of use, Transportability and Appearance) and items addressing geomatic (Content, Geographic information, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Real-time navigation assistance, Aspect of security).Rehabilitation clinicians should inquire about the efficiency of the navigation app, considering avoiding or announcing potential obstacles such as: travelling on the street for a long portion of the trip and not on the sidewalk; verbal indication too soon or too late; incorrect indication; damaged, and congested sidewalk.

A Novel Geospatial Assistive Navigation Technology for Seamless Multimodal Mobility of Wheelchair Users

Mobility is fundamental for social participation of people with disabilities. Unfortunately, traditional design of urban environments, including infrastructure and services are developed based largely on a standard perception of an independent, fully functional citizen without disability which limits the mobility social participation of PWD. This paper presents the design and development of a novel geospatial assistive navigation technology to support multimodal mobility of people with disabilities, especially those using manual wheelchair in urban areas.

Providing Accessible ReCreation Outdoors-User-driven Research on Standards: Mobile and virtual interviews for winter assessments (Preprint)

Background

Although there have been recent efforts to improve access to Canadian national parks, many remain not fully accessible to people with disabilities. Winter conditions, in particular, present challenges that limit their participation in outdoor activities.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a novel method to assess park access during winter, which will inform recommendations for national park standards to meet the needs of all park visitors (regardless of ability) during winter conditions.

Methods

A larger participatory mixed methods research project exploring park access was adapted. A 3-phase approach has already been proposed to achieve the study objectives. In the first phase, a scoping review of the existing accessibility standards will be conducted. In the second phase, objective audits of trails and features in 6 parks, 3 in western Canada and 3 in eastern Canada, will be conducted, as well as mobile interviews with 24 various participants in each region regarding their experiences of and recommendations for improving the park’s accessibility. In the final phase, a Delphi participatory consensus development process will be used, based on the data gathered in the first 2 phases, to prioritize recommendations for standards. This paper will focus on the second phase of the study, specifically on whether the in-person winter mobile interviews (ie, walking and wheeling interviews) with people who have a wide range of disabilities while visiting 3 parks in 2 provinces were modified. Changes were made to accommodate the extreme winter weather conditions in Quebec while using safe and informative data collection methods.

Results

In Quebec, one park, where winter conditions are safer, has been assessed in person (n=4). Web-based interviews were used to facilitate the assessment of other winter and summer conditions in two other parks (n=8). Winter and web-based interviews were completed in April 2022. Data are currently being collected and analyzed, and results will be completed by December 2022.

Conclusions

We expect that adapting the protocol to gather further information on winter conditions and access to parks will provide high-quality and rich data to better inform park access standards. This participatory mixed methods research will inform the development of park standards that consider the accessibility needs of all people.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/38715

Providing Accessible Recreation Outdoors—User-Driven Research on Standards (PARCOURS): Protocol for a Multiphase Study

Background

Canada’s national parks are world-renowned. However, despite recent attempts to improve access, many are not accessible to people with disabilities. With the advent of provincial and federal legislation, standards are being developed to assist with the design and management of parks.

Objective

The overarching objective of this study is to inform accessibility standards for federal parks that meet the needs of all park visitors, regardless of ability. The specific objectives of this study are to identify park accessibility standards that exist internationally, identify the accessibility challenges that people with disabilities face in park environments, and prioritize and recommend accessibility standards for national parks.

Methods

A 3-phase approach will be used to achieve the study objectives. In the first phase, a scoping review of the existing accessibility standards will be conducted. The second phase will include objective audits of trails and features in 6 parks, 3 in western Canada and 3 in eastern Canada, as well as mobile interviews with 24 diverse participants in each region regarding their experiences of and recommendations for improving the park’s accessibility. In the final phase, a Delphi participatory consensus development process will be used, based on the data gathered in the first 2 phases, to prioritize recommendations for standards.

Results

We expect to find gaps in existing standards that do not account for the diverse range of accessibility requirements that people with disabilities have for visiting parks. We also expect to find that existing standards, on their own, may not be enough to ensure equitable access to all the experiences and amenities that parks have to offer. Development of subsequent guidelines and best practices may be necessary to address complex scenarios for which standards may not be the best approach to ensuring accessibility.

Conclusions

The participatory and mixed methods approaches used in this study will provide rich insights for developing accessible park standards that consider the diverse needs of people with disabilities. The findings will also support the development or enhancement of park standards at all levels of government.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/33611

A Local 3D Voronoi-Based Optimization Method for Sensor Network Deployment in Complex Indoor Environments

Optimal sensor network deployment in built environments for tracking, surveillance, and monitoring of dynamic phenomena is one of the most challenging issues in sensor network design and applications (e.g., people movement). Most of the current methods for sensor network deployment and optimization are empirical and they often result in important coverage gaps in the monitored areas. To overcome these limitations, several optimization methods have been proposed in the recent years. However, most of these methods oversimplify the environment and do not consider the complexity of 3D architectural nature of the built environments specially for indoor applications (e.g., indoor navigation, evacuation, etc.). In this paper, we propose a novel local optimization algorithm based on a 3D Voronoi diagram, which allows a clear definition of the proximity relations between sensors in 3D indoor environments. This proposed structure is integrated with an IndoorGML model to efficiently manage indoor environment components and their relations as well as the sensors in the network. To evaluate the proposed method, we compared our results with the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES) algorithms. The results show that the proposed method achieved 98.86% coverage which is comparable to GA and CMA-ES algorithms, while also being about six times more efficient.

A Decentralized Fuzzy Rule-Based Approach for Computing Topological Relations between Spatial Dynamic Continuous Phenomena with Vague Boundaries Using Sensor Data

Sensor networks (SN) are increasingly used for the observation and monitoring of spatiotemporal phenomena and their dynamics such as pollution, noise and forest fires. In multisensory systems, a sensor node may be equipped with different sensing units to observe and detect several spatiotemporal phenomena at the same time. Simultaneous detection of different phenomena can be used to infer their spatial interactions over space and time. For this purpose, decentralized spatial computing approaches have shown their potential for effective reasoning on spatial phenomena within a sensor network. However, in most cases, spatial extents of continuous dynamic phenomena are uncertain, and their relations and interactions cannot be inferred by the existing approaches at the sensor node level. To address this limitation, in this paper, we propose and develop a decentralized fuzzy rule-based spatial reasoning approach to depict the spatial relations that hold between two evolving spatial phenomena with fuzzy boundaries. The proposed method benefits from a more adapted fuzzy-crisp representation of dynamic phenomena observed by SN where each vague phenomenon is composed of five distinguished zones including the kernel, conjecture and exterior zone and their boundaries. For each detected phenomenon, a sensor node will report one of these zones based on its location. Aggregation of the information reported from the sensor nodes allows reasoning on spatial relations between the observed phenomena and their evolution. Such spatial information provides users with more valuable near real-time information on the state of different phenomena that can be used for informed decision-making.

Evaluation of satisfaction with geospatial assistive technology (ESGAT): a methodological and usability study

Purpose: Manual wheelchair users are more vulnerable, in situations such as road crossings, hazardous sidewalks or curbs and crossing of buildings and facilities threshold. Geospatial assistive technology (GAT) can help with route planning. However, it is important to ensure the usability of such products, as well as the satisfaction of persons with reduced mobility. The study's aim was (1) to develop and validate a questionnaire on the satisfaction of GAT, in English and French, and to (2) assess satisfaction, efficacy and efficiency of a GAT with manual wheelchair users following a filmed trial in a dense urban area.Method: A methodological study was conducted (development of the questionnaire, assessment of its content validity, feasibility and practicability) followed by a trial and post-observations with the videos. Two questionnaires (English, French) were concurrently validated by two groups of experts (n = 8), and then field-tested by wheelchair users (n = 8), using Google Maps Pedestrian routeing tool.Results: The Evaluation of satisfaction with geospatial assistive technology (ESGAT) consists in a user profile and their experience with the technology, followed by 12 satisfaction criteria rated from 1-not satisfied to 5-very satisfied. Both questionnaires were rated as feasible and practicable to complete. The usability of Google Maps Pedestrian routeing tool was measured as "moderate" by manual wheelchairs since the total satisfaction score at the ESGAT was 3.9/5 (quite satisfied). The items with the lowest score were navigation assistance, hands-free function and security. The GAT was effective (87.5% have completed their destination) but not efficient (37.5% needed help).IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONFor manual wheelchair users paired with geospatial assistive technology:• A 10 minutes questionnaire was developed and validated to assess their satisfaction after testing aid in an urban area.• Satisfaction criteria to address are ease of access (service), learnability, hands-free function, ease of use for planning as well for navigating, transportability/ appearance, content, geographic information, effectiveness, efficiency, navigation assistance and security• A field test is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the technology in avoiding or announcing potential obstacles such as sidewalk crossing ramp, damaged and congested sidewalk; sidewalk tilt (side slopes); thresholds at destination; verbal indication too soon or too late; incorrect indication; the arrow does not indicate the right direction; readjustment of the route needed; a lack of indication; and human intervention needed.

Geospatial assistive technologies: potential usability criteria identified from manual wheelchair users

Purpose: To advance knowledge of specific usability criteria for Geospatial Assistive Technologies (GATs) and manual wheelchair users, and to develop a profile and expectations for potential future users.Method: A face-to-face cross-sectional study was conducted with 17 community-dwelling manual wheelchair users (aged 18-45 years) who use a mobile device. A semi-structured interview was conducted as follows: (1) four video clips presenting technologies related to GATs (applications on a smartphone or smart watch, augmented reality glasses, virtual reality helmet) were shown; (2) questions were asked about the perceived advantages and disadvantages of route planning prior to travel and navigation while receiving guidance in urban areas; and (3) an activity to rank fifteen defined usability criteria by importance was conducted. Two questionnaires were also self-administered: the Temple University Community Participation Measure and the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual Wheelchair Users (WheelCon).Results: This study defines a comprehensive sample profile of manual wheelchair users with GAT and 19 distinctive usability criteria for GATs specifically suited to manual wheelchair users. Fifteen criteria were identified as the most important (actual use, appearance, Bluetooth, comfort, dimensions, ease of use, efficiency, familiarity, features, hands-free operation, information content, quality of information and transportability). Information content and transportability demand higher expectations while the emerging Bluetooth and free-hands criteria are associated with transportability.Conclusion: The results obtained using a user-centric approach yielded useful data to improve GATs and broaden the concept of compatibility among users and specific-use situations to ensure usability.Implications for rehabilitation For manual wheelchair users paired with a geospatial assistance technology:• The smart phone is preferred (compared to the smart watch, augmented reality glasses or virtual reality helmet) for both plan and navigation tasks. Actual use, comfort, ease of use, familiarity, features and informative content are important criteria and the smart phone as mobile device for GATs is perceived favourably to meet the requirements coming up with these criteria.• Especially suitable for guidance and manual wheelchair navigation (double-task), two emergent criteria emerge regarding the usability of GATs: hands-free and Bluetooth. Hands-free is associated with potential usability issues regarding smart phone transportability and to the relevance of augmented reality glasses or smart watches as mobile device for GATs. The Bluetooth connexion appears as being part of the solution for increasing the transportability of any of these mobile devices.• Appearance and dimension of GATs, their efficiency for planning and navigating, and the quality of the delivered information are other important usability criteria.• Since information content and transportability are targeted as the two most important criteria, we should pay special attention in the future to the availability of information about accessibility of destinations and also, to appropriate fixation and Bluetooth systems ensuring, partially or completely, hands-free operation in order to meet user needs.

Geospatial assistive technologies for wheelchair users: a scoping review of usability measures and criteria for mobile user interfaces and their potential applicability

Background: Wheelchair users are increasingly using route planners and navigation systems to help them get around the city. The absence of a list of usability criteria for wheelchair user-centred design and recommending geospatial assistive technologies creates uncertainty about the choices to be made by rehabilitation clinicians and geographic information systems specialists. The aim of this study was to compile such a list by identifying usability criteria from standardized questionnaires linked to user interfaces and geospatial assistive technologies (GATs).Material and methods: We conducted a scoping review in ACM Digital Library, Inspec/Compendex and PsycINFO for the period 2005-2016 using keyword strategies. From 84 articles identified, after screening and exclusion procedures, 15 articles were selected. Data were extracted from them and reported in table 1 (relevant questionnaires listed in alphabetical order, type of user interface, population studied, psychometric properties, type of measurement scale and information about the construct, number of subscales and items) and in table 2 (usability criteria up to 20 items for the questionnaires, scales or constructs, pointing criteria as gold standard in physical rehabilitation and as in geographic information).Results: We identified 87 usability criteria in 12 standardized questionnaires in 15 articles (with at least two types of psychometric properties). There are 54 usability criteria that could be used in clinical situations concerning their potential applicability to GATs for wheelchair users: 20 are familiar to rehabilitation clinicians who recommend assistive technologies, 21 are generic to GATs while 13 are specific to mobile applications or voice recognition systems. It remains 34 criteria that are not actually familiar to clinicians: actual use, content (including content-clarity, content-color, content-consistency, content-credibility, content-legibility, content-relevance, content-trustworthy, and content-understandable), control-obviousness, customer service behavior, delivery format, design-application, ease of navigation, entry-point type, everyday words, fingertip-size controls, font, functions-expected, functions-integration, gestalt, graphics, habit, hierarchy, input, network externality, speech characteristics, structure, subtle animation, time spent waiting, transition, user goal orientation and verbosity.Conclusions: More research is needed to develop a questionnaire specific to geospatial assistive technologies for wheelchair users linked with mobile applications and information content.Implications for rehabilitationFor manual wheelchair users paired with geospatial assistance technology, "effectiveness, efficiency, learnability and satisfaction" are essential criteria for route planning and navigation task.Clinicians can optimize the selection of a geospatial assistance technology considering 16 criteria: appearance, assistance-human support, comfort, ease of holding, ease of use, emotional aspect, endurance, facilitating conditions, intention to use, minimal memory load, physical effort, price value, simplicity, social influence, training and usefulness.Clinicians should have in mind that WC users want to plan a route with as few obstacles as possible. Information on the screen should be accessible to WC users (text, contrast, symbols, graphics, photos, voice, vibration, route views). Hands are occupied with the hand rims, WC users would prefer "listen to verbal" instructions to continue their route instead of looking on their electronic device. 34 criteria are specific for route planning and navigation task.

A NEW ONTOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS: DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION CONTEXT

Social dimension of environment is an important aspect that should be reflected in research works related to studying the interactions between human and the environment. However, this dimension is usually neglected when representing the environment in geographic information systems for different applications. For instance, disability as a result of the interaction between human and environment is influenced by social and physical dimensions of environment. Although, this aspect is highlighted in most conceptual disability models by defining various taxonomies of the environment, from ontological perspective justifying and connecting social dimension to the physical dimension of the environment is not clearly determined. Integrating social dimension of the environment with its physical dimension for disability studies is a challenging task, which is the main objective of the present study. Here, we review some of the disability models and their perspective about classifying the environment. Then, from ontological perspective, their limitations are discussed and a new approach for the classification of concepts form the environment is presented. This approach facilitates and simplifies integration of social dimension in ontologies for more effective assessment of disability issue in Geographic Information System.

Enhancing the mental representations of space used by blind pedestrians, based on an image schemata model

The configuration of mental representation of space plays a major role in successful navigational activities. Therefore, navigational assistance for pedestrians who are blind should help them to better configure their mental representation of the environment. In this paper, we propose and exploit a computational model for the mental representation of urban areas as an aid to orientation and navigation for visually impaired pedestrians. Our model uses image schemata to capture the spatial semantics and configural elements of urban space necessary for this purpose. These image schemata are schematic structures that are continually requested by individuals in their perception, bodily movement and interaction with surrounding objects. Our proposed model also incorporates a hierarchical structure to provide different levels of detail tied to appropriate spatial perspectives at each scale. We presume that such computational model will help us to develop an appropriate structure of spatial data used to assist the target population. At the end of the paper, we illustrate the utility of our configural model by developing a typical scenario for the navigation of a blind pedestrian in an urban area.