Research on Travel Preferences of Wheelchair Users in Barrier-Free Environments and Improvement Strategies for Adaptive Urban Roads

Highlights

	● Uses self-developed intelligent sensing devices for life log surveys of mobility disadvantaged groups
	● Mobility disadvantaged groups preferred non-motor lanes to sidewalks
	● Travel barriers are mainly caused by improper traffic behaviors and inadequate construction of road facilities
	● The bumpiness of asphalt is lower than that of permeable brick, granite, limestone, and marble; and the bumpiness of brick is lower than that of asphalt, with a smaller variation

Abstract

The construction of a barrier-free environment is an important measure that guarantees the safety, right-of-way, and interests of the disabled, the elderly, and other mobility disadvantaged groups. It is also an indispensable part of the low-carbon urban transportation and a necessary way to protect the rights of mobility disadvantaged groups in green travel. In this paper, the researchers conducted life log surveys on the travels of 10 wheelchair users residing in Beijing with IoT Inspector, a self-developed, wheelchair-mountable intelligent sensing device. Wheelchair users' travel preferences and reasons were then analyzed using the image and textual data from the surveys. Combined with a mapping workshop, a comparative analysis was performed on the bumpiness of sidewalk paving materials. The study found that wheelchair travelers' preferred non-motor lanes over sidewalks; substandard curb ramps, unleveled tree pools, limited access widths, and bumpy pavement were the main problems faced by wheelchair users in sidewalk accessibility. In addition, the study explores the inclusive needs and challenges of non-motorized right-of-way for new transportation means at urban planning and traffic management levels. Based on multi-sourced data, this paper discusses the possibility of assessing urban barrier-free environment and representing a narrative of the needs of mobility disadvantaged groups, so as to provide practical experience and technical support to the improvement strategies of adaptive roads.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Inclusive Landscapes / Barrier-free Environment / Mobility Disadvantaged Group / Multi-sourced Data / Spatial Data / Wheelchair Users / Mapping / Right-of-Way

References

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Acknowledgements

Project of "The Research on the Accessibility of Wheelchair Travel in Beijing From the Perspective of Low-Carbon Transportation, " Energy Foundation (No. G-2211-34307)

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