Tomoyuki Inagaki

Proof Experiment of LED Block Equipped with Projections to Locate Travel Direction for Blind and Vision Impaired Persons

Crossing crosswalks is one of the most dangerous situations for visually impaired persons. Crosswalk entrances are located on the boundary with the roadway and are among the most dangerous areas for visually-impaired persons. Tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs) are installed on the road to support independent travel for blind and low-vision individuals. We developed an LED block equipped with projections to strengthen the support of the crosswalk entrance. The blind person can sense this block through the soles of the shoes. A low-vision person can find it through the use of residual vision. Blind and visually impaired persons found that the LED block equipped with projections to locate the travel direction effectively supported crossing. The effectiveness of this block is described based on measurements and questionnaire results.

Verification of Blinking LED Block Installed at Crosswalk Entrance for Low-Vision People

There are individual differences in the degree of disorder and impairment of low-vision people, but in many cases discrimination of light and darkness is possible. Therefore, it is effective to use flashing light to support amblyopic vision. To support these low-vision people, in previous research, we conducted research on the introduction and adaptation of LEDs as support for low-vision people. Also, we are doing research to install LED blocks at the entrances to pedestrian crossings. In this research, we evaluated LED blocks laid out delineating the crosswalk entrance. The subjects evaluated the flickering stimulus intensity of the presented flickering light and the enhancement of visibility by sensory evaluation. Based on the experiment results, we consider the blinking method most suitable for amblyopia support.

Verification of Installed Position of LED Block Equipped with Projections to Indicate Travel Direction

A crosswalk entrance is on the boundary of a roadway and is a dangerous area for visually impaired persons. Tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs) are installed on the road to support independent travel for blind and low-vision individuals. We developed an LED block equipped with projections to strengthen support at the crosswalk entrance. Blind individuals can sense thiss block through the soles of their shoes. Results indicated that the LED block equipped with projections to locate travel direction effectively supports crossing. The effectiveness of this block is determined using measurement and questionnaire results.