Promoting Regular Physical Activity for Older Adults through "Wayfinding" Technology

Physical vulnerability, visual impairment, mobility limitations, and cognitive disorders can make selecting a safe & accessible walking route very challenging for many older adults. Familiar online mapping & wayfinding services can be helpful, but they do not answer important questions about the built environment that older & disabled adult face on a daily basis. What are the sidewalks like along each route? Are they smooth enough for a walker or wheelchair? do they extend the entire way? Are there curb ramps at every intersection? Is the neighborhood safe and well-lighted? Are there places to rest along the way? The proposed research will create transformative new wayfinding tools that will take barriers to mobility, comfort, and safety into the modeling process & automatically customize walking & multi-model transportation routes for each user based on individual needs, capabilities, & preferences. The "Neighborhood Navigator" will provide an optimal viewing experience on multiple platforms, including web browsers & mobile & tabled devices, with minimal resizing, scrolling, or panning needed by the user. An intuitive workflow & compelling visualizations will engage older adults in the wayfinding process & encourage healthy physical activity.