Wheelchair optimal route planning for public urban and indoor spaces

Innovative Design Labs (IDL) proposes to create a system which helps guide wheelchair users along the best path through complex urban landscapes. Since the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) were established in 1990 the ability of wheelchair users to navigate has greatly improved. However, there are still many areas in which modification for accessibility was not “readily achievable” and therefore may not be conducive to wheelchair travel. Access and mobility are important dimensions of the quality of life for wheelchair users. An easy-to-use navigation and route-planning aid that can create an optimized, wheelchair specific path within urban congestion is needed. IDL will create this system, comprising of navigation electronics attached to the wheelchair and a software application providing the user with a graphical, intuitive interface into the cloud-based online routing tools. This system will greatly improve access and independence for people with limited mobility and allow wheelchair users the freedom of movement between public and commercial buildings safely and efficiently.