Quantitative visualization of physical barriers for vulnerable pedestrians based on photogrammetry

Purpose The purpose of this study is to propose a method for vulnerable pedestrians to visualize potential obstacles on sidewalks. In recent years, the number of vulnerable pedestrians has been increasing as Japanese society has aged. The number of wheelchair users is also expected to increase in the future. Currently, barrier-free maps and street-view applications can be used by wheelchair users to check possible routes and the surroundings of their destinations in advance. However, identifying physical barriers that pose a threat to vulnerable pedestrians en route is often difficult. Design/methodology/approach This study uses photogrammetry to create a digital twin of the three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the existing walking space by collecting photographic images taken on sidewalks. This approach allows for the creation of high-resolution digital elevation models of the entire physical sidewalk surface from which physical barriers such as local gradients and height differences can be detected by uniform image filtering. The method can be used with a Web-based data visualization tool in a geographical information system, permitting first-person views of the ground and accurate geolocation of the barriers on the map. Findings The findings of this study showed that capturing the road surface with a small wide-angle camera while walking is sufficient for recording subtle 3D undulations in the road surface. The method used for capturing data and the precision of the 3D restoration results are described. Originality/value The proposed approach demonstrates the significant benefits of creating a digital twin of walking space using photogrammetry as a cost-effective means of balancing the acquisition of 3D data that is sufficiently accurate to show the detailed geometric features needed to navigate a walking space safely. Further, the findings showed how information can be provided directly to users through two-dimensional (2D) and 3D Web-based visualizations.

Alarm System and Emergency Message from Wheelchair User Emergency Condition

When someone uses a wheelchair, there is still the possibility of an accident to the user, such as when the user suddenly falls down from the wheelchair or the user falls down along with the wheelchair. For notification of emergency conditions for wheelchair users, an alarm system is designed that can send messages to the intended mobile number. The system is designed using Wemos D1 mini, Ultrasonic, MPU-6050 and Proximity E18-D80NK sensors. The conclusion from the measurement and test results are: the value read by the MPU-6050 sensor is taken one axis for each direction when the wheelchair was falling down, Y≤180o for left falling down, X≤50o for right falling down, Z≤65o for forward falling and Z≥140o for backwards falling down. The Ultrasonic sensor works well for detecting the presence of user’s legs and the E18-D80NK proximity sensor works well for detecting the position of the user who is sitting in a wheelchair. Receiving notifications through the BLYNK server works well, not affected by distance provided there is an internet connection connected to the device.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN BUILT ENVIRONMENT OF URBAN AREA: CASE STUDY OF GEORGE TOWN, PENANG

Persons with Disabilities (PwD) confront several challenges that hinder them from fully exercising their rights and participating in social, professional, and cultural activities when it comes to accessing built environment. This paper is to investigate the accessibility challenges that PwD face in George Town, Penang. The questionnaire survey techniques employed was to obtain data from a group of PwD. The questionnaire was conducted on wheelchair users, the walking impaired, the visually impaired, and the hearing impaired in George Town areas. Most PwD three key challenges, such as narrow sidewalks, uneven sidewalk surfaces, barriers on sidewalks and dangerous drop curbs. Accessibility facilities in George Town still need to be improved to make it easier for PwD to get around. The findings and recommendations in this study would assist in improving current access to a built environment so that PwD may visit the George Town areas easily and safely.

The Integration of Wheelchair Users in Team Handball

Thus far, there are only a few sports activities in which people with and without intellectual disabilities can participate together and on an equal footing. The situation is even more complicated when people who are dependent on a wheelchair want to take part. The sports project Freiwurf Hamburg aims to make team handball playable for everyone. This case study documents how this can be achieved with a modified version of the handball game for runners and wheelchair users. Qualitative and quantitative data are collected and evaluated. The results show that players tend to distinguish between the roles of runner and wheelchair user rather than between disabled and non-disabled.

A Novel Mobile Device-Based Approach to Quantitative Mobility Measurements for Power Wheelchair Users

This study is motivated by the fact that there are currently no widely used applications available to quantitatively measure a power wheelchair user’s mobility, which is an important indicator of quality of life. To address this issue, we propose an approach that allows power wheelchair users to use their own mobile devices, e.g., a smartphone or smartwatch, to non-intrusively collect mobility data in their daily life. However, the convenience of data collection brings substantial challenges in data analysis because the data patterns associated with wheelchair maneuvers are not as strong as other activities, e.g., walking, running, etc. In addition, the built-in sensors in different mobile devices create significant heterogeneity in terms of sensitivity, noise patterns, sampling settings, etc. To address the aforementioned challenges, we developed a novel approach composed of algorithms that work collaboratively to reduce noise, identify patterns intrinsic to wheelchair maneuvers, and finalize mobility analysis by removing spikes and dips caused by abrupt maneuver changes. We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the proposed approach. Experimental results showed that our approach could accurately determine wheelchair maneuvers regardless of the models and placements of the mobile devices.

The Time Has Come, the Walrus Said, to Talk of Many Things: Wheelchair Securement Spaces on Commercial Airlines

Air travel poses special problems for people who use wheelchairs either periodically or consistently (wheelchair users). The wheelchair is, to some extent, an extension of the wheelchair user’s bodily autonomy. Personal dignity would be enhanced, and injury and discomfort would be reduced, if a traveling wheelchair user were allowed to remain in his or her own wheelchair for the duration of the flight. Although no law or regulation currently requires that option, groundwork has been laid in both case law and statutes that could lead to such a result. To be sure, safety and cost are paramount issues and must be adequately addressed. Some technological concerns have already been resolved and others are the subject of promising developments. Lobbyist groups are actively campaigning and, as a result, some airlines have shown interest in the proposal. The goal of in-cabin use of personal wheelchairs is achievable, but the process is likely to be incremental. During this period of COVID-19 pandemic-related disruption in the airline industry, both mainline and regional carriers should benefit from the Schumpeterian notion of creative destruction resulting in technical and business innovations. The catalyst needed to move the research and development process along at a faster pace might be a contest with some sort of reward such as has been used to foster other aeronautical innovations.

Diet Quality Assessment in Wheelchair Users with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Diet quality has not been distinctively examined in wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) III and the Automated Self-Administered 24-h (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool in 128 wheelchair users with MS. Participants were prompted to complete the DHQ-III and 3 ASA24 recalls during a seven-day data collection period. Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores were calculated for DHQ-III and ASA24, and scores were compared with normative values. Spearman’s correlation analyses (rs) estimated the associations between DHQ-III and ASA24 HEI-2015 total and component scores with supportive paired sample t-tests. Results: HEI-2015 scores for DHQ-III and ASA24 were significantly higher than normative values for total score, total protein foods, and added sugar. Correlations between HEI-2015 scores generated using ASA24 and DHQ-III were all statistically significant (range rs = 0.23–0.69); however, significant differences between ASA24 and DHQ-III values were noted for HEI-2015 total score, total fruits, whole fruit, total vegetable, greens and beans, whole grains, seafood and plant protein, refined grains, and saturated fats. Conclusion: This study provided a novel description of diet quality in wheelchair users with MS for guiding future research promoting healthy eating in this population.

Measurement Performance of Activity Measurements with Newer Generation of Apple Watch in Wheelchair Users with Spinal Cord Injury

Background The level of physical activity (PA) of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) has an impact on long-term complications. Currently, PA is mostly assessed by interviews. Wearable activity trackers are promising tools to objectively measure PA under everyday conditions. The only off-the-shelf, wearable activity tracker with specific measures for wheelchair users is the Apple Watch. Objectives This study analyzes the measurement performance of Apple Watch Series 4 for wheelchair users and compares it with an earlier generation of the device. Methods Fifteen participants with subacute SCI during their first in-patient phase followed a test course using their wheelchair. The number of wheelchair pushes was counted manually by visual inspection and with the Apple Watch. Difference between the Apple Watch and the rater was analyzed with mean absolute percent error (MAPE) and a Bland–Altman plot. To compare the measurement error of Series 4 and an older generation of the device a t-test was calculated using data for Series 1 from a former study. Results The average of differences was 12.33 pushes (n = 15), whereas participants pushed the wheelchair 138.4 times on average (range 86–271 pushes). The range of difference and the Bland–Altman plot indicate an overestimation by Apple Watch. MAPE is 9.20% and the t-test, testing for an effect of Series 4 on the percentage of error compared with Series 1, was significant with p < 0.05. Conclusion Series 4 shows a significant improvement in measurement performance compared with Series 1. Series 4 can be considered as a promising data source to capture the number of wheelchair pushes on even grounds. Future research should analyze the long-term measurement performance during everyday conditions of Series 4.

An Exploratory Analysis of the Role of Adipose Characteristics in Fulltime Wheelchair Users’ Pressure Injury History

Aim: The goals of this study were 1) to identify the relationship between adipose (subcutaneous and intramuscular) characteristics and pressure injury (PrI) history in wheelchair users and 2) to identify subject characteristics, including biomechanical risk, that are related to adipose characteristics.Materials and Methods: The buttocks of 43 full-time wheelchair users with and without a history of pelvic PrIs were scanned in a seated posture in a FONAR UPRIGHT® MRI. Intramuscular adipose (the relative difference in intensity between adipose and gluteus maximus) and the subcutaneous adipose characteristics (the relative difference in intensity between subcutaneous adipose under and surrounding the ischium) were compared to PrI history and subject characteristics.Results: Participants with a history of PrIs had different subcutaneous fat (subQF) characteristics than participants without a history of PrIs. Specifically, they had significantly darker adipose under the ischium than surrounding the ischium (subQF effect size = 0.21) than participants without a history of PrIs (subQF effect size = 0.58). On the other hand, only when individuals with complete fat infiltration (n = 7) were excluded did individuals with PrI history have more fat infiltration than those without a PrI history. The presence of spasms (μ intramuscular adipose, 95% CI with spasms 0.642 [0.430, 0.855], without spasms 0.168 [−0.116, 0.452], p = 0.01) and fewer years using a wheelchair were associated with leaner muscle (Pearson Corr = −0.442, p = 0.003).Conclusion: The results of the study suggest the hypothesis that changes in adipose tissue under the ischial tuberosity (presenting as darker SubQF) are associated with increased biomechanical risk for pressure injury. Further investigation of this hypothesis, and the role of intramuscular fat infiltration in PrI development, may help our understanding of PrI etiology. It may also lead to clinically useful diagnostic techniques that can identify changes in adipose and biomechanical risk to inform early preventative interventions.