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Electronic Wayfinding for Visually Impaired Travelers: Limitations and Opportunities
TREC Project Briefs
  • Martin Swobodzinski, Portland State University
  • Amy T. Parker, Portland State University
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
8-1-2019
Subjects
  • Blind -- Travel -- Technological innovations,
  • Smartphones,
  • Blind -- Orientation and mobility -- Technological innovations
Abstract

In this project, we distilled an inventory of smartphone-based electronic travel aid technology for the wayfinding of visually impaired travelers in an urban environment based on a thorough review of software marketplaces and the academic literature. Subsequently, we solicited structured input from domain experts and visually impaired individuals on their experiences and evaluations pertaining to personal telecommunication technology for safe and efficient wayfinding. The insights gained from this project are instrumental for the conceptualization and development of integrated route planning and guidance application that address the distinct information needs and expectations of individuals with a vision-related functional impairment. The very objective of our project is to provide pathways for improving the quality of life of people who experience disproportionate impediments to their mobility through inclusive pedestrian navigation in an urban environment.

Description

This is a summary of TREC research project NITC-RR-1177, which can be found online at:

https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/research/project/1177

The Final Report NITC-RR-1177 can be found at: https://doi.org/10.15760/trec.227

Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/29376
Citation Information
Swobodzinski, Martin. & Parker, Amy T. Electronic Wayfinding for Visually Impaired Travelers: Limitations and Opportunities. Project Brief. NITC-RR-1177. Portland, OR: Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC), 2019.