Accessibility of Urban Forests and Parks for People with Disabilities in Wheelchairs, Considering the Surface and Longitudinal Slope of the Trails

Abstract

This research deals with the problem of the accessibility of urban forests and parks for people with disabilities in wheelchairs. Through an analysis of spatial data, trails were categorized on the basis of the measurements of the independent movements of eight subjects on six trails. The critical longitudinal slopes were determined for independent movement in wheelchairs, complex independent movement with certain risk, and categories of trails that are not suitable for wheelchair movement. The results indicate that a slope of 5.50% was the tipping point, after which all respondents experienced some uncertainty. In addition, a gradient of more than 9.01% was almost impassable for people in wheelchairs, with respect to the gravel trails examined in this study. Modern measurement technology was used in the field, including the mobile apps GAIA GPS and GNSS GPS, and a total (geodetic) station; the subjects’ heart rates were measured using a Garmin Fenix 6 Pro watch. In addition, people with disabilities were included in the implementation of the research through the Croatian Association of Paraplegics and Tetraplegics (HUPT). The results indicate the zones/trails that disabled people in wheelchairs can pass independently, the zones that can be accessed with a certain risk, and those that are not accessible, all according to the defined longitudinal slope zones using measurements of the movement of people in a wheelchair, their heart rate loads, and personal communication with the subjects regarding the insecurity they felt.

Paving the Way to Active Living for People with Disabilities:

“…This finding contradicts recent findings for people with mobility impairments in urban parks and forests, who noted difficulties with uneven gravel surfaces, especially after unfavorable weather. 25 , 28 , 30 Pathways composed of aggregate materials may provide suitable access to parks for people with mobility impairments and use wheelchairs. 30 …”

“… 25 , 28 , 30 Pathways composed of aggregate materials may provide suitable access to parks for people with mobility impairments and use wheelchairs. 30 …”

“…This finding contradicts recent findings for people with mobility impairments in urban parks and forests, who noted difficulties with uneven gravel surfaces, especially after unfavorable weather. 25,28,30 Pathways composed of aggregate materials may provide suitable access to parks for people with mobility impairments and use wheelchairs. 30 In this study, all multi-use trails were found to be smooth, unobstructed, and wide, contrasting with the findings of Perry et al, 27 reported limited availability of sites with adequately wide paths (about 5 feet).…”

“…25,28,30 Pathways composed of aggregate materials may provide suitable access to parks for people with mobility impairments and use wheelchairs. 30 In this study, all multi-use trails were found to be smooth, unobstructed, and wide, contrasting with the findings of Perry et al, 27 reported limited availability of sites with adequately wide paths (about 5 feet). A key opportunity identified in this study is the enhancement of trail accessibility, particularly benefiting users with visual, cognitive, or mobility impairments.…”

Cooperative Tourism Marketing in Accessible Tourism Development: The Case of the Cross-Border Area of Greece–Republic of Northern Macedonia

“…Designing inclusive spaces presupposes accessibility, which is often hampered by environmental barriers that are essentially as much of a disability as the impairment itself [1,2]. Especially in the built environment, the existence of barriers limits the participation of persons with disabilities (PwD) in a large number of activities [3].…”