A Survey on Outdoor Navigation Applications for People With Visual Impairments

Abstract

Outdoor navigation remains a challenging activity for People with Visual Impairments (PVI). Having examined the current literature, we conclude that there are very few publications providing a nuanced understanding of how PVI undertake a journey in an outdoor environment and what are their main challenges and obstacles. This is a critical step towards developing robust solutions that meet the requirements of this user group. We undertook a questionnaire-based study with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) and 49 PVI. According to the feedback from our questionnaire, current journey navigation apps do not provide PVI with sufficient information about traffic lights, crossroads, and physical obstacles to support a satisfactory interaction. Our study reveals key aspects of how PVI interact with outdoor navigation applications. Critical gaps exist, for example, over 63% of respondents indicated they had suffered an injury on at least one previous occasion when navigating outdoors. Based on the questionnaire feedback, we present a solution covering the main aspects of outdoor navigation for PVI. Our work aims to contribute to the improvement of outdoor navigation applications for PVI in the future.

Advancing Vehicular Independence for the Visually Impaired Through Smart Technology

“…In [6], authors perform a survey on VIPs and find that most VIPs Google map, while a small percentage of them use Apple map, electronic timetables, and soundscape. Survey results also identify that VIPs look for a mobile application with features such as touch and sound to gather information, training features or support staff, AODA compliant such as large font, clear image/text, proper color/contrast, and use of Braille to gather information from the context.…”

“…Thus, the transportation system for visually impaired persons (VIPs) should be accessible and safe. In general, transportation systems for VIPs should have the following features: (1) Accessible -public buses, subway, ridesharing, and trains should have audible announcements for start and stop, (2) Support services -should have designated personnel or support staff for VIPs (3) Audible pedestrian signal, (4) Braille signage is commonly used in transit stations that provide information about directions, service, and relevant information, (5) Audio announcement and information booth, (6) Smart ticket, smart card, mobile ticket instead of a physical ticket, (7) Special transport services for VIPs who cannot use any fixed route public transit, (8) Accessible cabs and ridesharing services having ramps and audio systems, and (9) Mobile applications.…”

Enhancing Mobility for the Visually Impaired with AI and IoT-Enabled Mobile Applications

“…The factors and features to design mobile applications and assistive technology for visually impaired persons (VIPs) depend on the transportation systems, road infrastructure, and social and other factors in different countries [3]. However, the challenges that VIPs face in transportation systems that should be considered in designing mobile applications are:…”

“…The work done in [3] performs a survey on visually impaired persons to know about the technology they use for traveling in the community. The survey results show that most of the people use Google Maps, while a few portions of the participants use Apple maps, electronic timetables, and soundscape.…”

“…Almost 45 million people in the world are blind and 135 million people in the world are visually impaired. They need assistive technology to maintain their quality of life and do their everyday work [1][2][3]. One of the vital activities of a person is to commute from one location to another location.…”