Advancing Wheelchair Accessible Navigation through Crowd-Sourced Data: Development of the MyPath System and A Computational Model for Accessibility

Abstract

Accessible navigation for individuals with mobility challenges in urban environments is crucial for ensuring equal access to public spaces. Various systems have been proposed to facilitate efficient travel for individuals with restricted mobility. There is no existing system that usages wheelchair data directly from the users to provide accessible navigation. Our way of leveraging crowd-sourced data, and updating the accessible information in real-time presents a promising way to enhance navigation experiences. This research explores the potential of crowd-sourced data directly collected from real wheelchair users in facilitating accessible navigation for individuals with mobility impairments. Through a review of existing literature, case studies, and interviews with numerous wheelchair users regarding their path preferences, we explore the utilization of crowd-sourced data in mapping mobility barriers, identifying accessible routes, and enhancing navigation assistance. We analyze the challenges and opportunities associated with crowd-sourced data, including efficiency, comprehensiveness, and inclusivity. We propose and demonstrate strategies to optimize the data collection, processing, and utilization of crowd-sourced data to create more inclusive and accessible navigation solutions. Our developed crowd-sourced data collection system, MyPath, can collect trip data directly from the user's smartphone and classify the type of surface with other accessible information. Considering all user preferences, demographic information, weather conditions, time of day, and the classified surface type from the vibration data, we can provide a better accessible path to navigate. We incorporated the feedback from real users into every phase of the design and development process. By developing a system for collecting crowd-sourced information considering all the factors related to accessibility, we can advance the development of accessible navigation technologies, ultimately providing greater independence and mobility for individuals with disabilities in urban environments.