Claims:We Claim:
1. A method of using a a web based navigational tool comprising:
a. accumulating data related to pedestrian environment;
b. receiving input from a user, wherein said input comprises the ability level of the user;
c. processing accumulated data and user input;
d. identifying route for travel; and
e. displaying route for travel.
wherein, the computer program system enables to identify routes through pedestrian environment.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data obtained related to the pedestrian environment can be through the Global Positioning System and remotely sensed data.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data related to the pedestrian environment is accumulated and assembled within a GIS.
, Description:Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for using a navigational tool, to assist people of varying physical abilities to identify routes through various pedestrian environments.
Background of the Invention
Transportation routing problems attempt to find optimal solutions for routing and location problems within a network. Since the shortest route is constrained by the network, the algorithms for solving for the optimal route must compute actual travel conditions in order to accurately estimate optimal travel routes. For instance, when modeling traffic, algorithms should account for one-way streets, traffic signals, and congestion. Automobile routing applications use distance and/or travel time as the primary impedance (or the cost to traverse an edge). They may also include other network phenomena such as one-way streets and turn impedances. However, such applications do not consider physical attributes such as the make and model of the automobile in route. A station wagon, for example, would use the same route as a mid-size truck. When routing pedestrians, however, it is critical to account for the unique physical ability of the user.
For many people with disabilities (“PWDs”), even short trips to work, to go shopping, or to places of recreation can be difficult. Many barriers that are imperceptible to many people may hinder or totally restrict access to PWDs. Examples of such barriers may include uneven pavement slabs, cobblestone courts and gravel. Consequently, there has been a move towards utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) to assist disabled persons in navigating through space. GIS routing applications have been developed that are similar in their system design and functionality. Some of these applications provide wheelchair users with up-to-date, detailed, customized information to assist PWDs in planning and managing their mobility within urban areas. They also allow users to select an origin, a destination, and some route specifications such as allowing the user to select preferred pathways between two or more locations.
These applications are limited in several respects. One reason for this is that the applications are specific to wheelchair users. Because the data sets and the algorithms in these applications are constructed specifically for wheelchair users, there is no consideration for routing ambulatory people or those who merely use a walking aid. The second limiting factor is the choice of technology to implement the routing applications. The cost to purchase the software is extremely high; therefore, the users are limited to those who can afford the software. Thus, these applications limit their user base through software inaccessibility and the specificity of their routing subjects.
The Web is increasingly becoming a common medium for both the transmittal of aspatial and spatial information, because it provides a degree of accessibility to the public that software packages cannot offer (e.g., MapQuest at www.mapquest.com, MapPoint at http://mappoint.msn.com and Vindigo 5 at www.vindigo.com.)
Maps have been made to assist the individuals in navigating though spatially related points, but the methodology for deriving optimal pedestrian routes is very elementary. Time and distance are among the most common factors for pedestrian routing and navigation; however, a third possible limiting factor is the physical ability of the pedestrian.
There are several limiting factors in determining the correct and feasible path of travel for people with disabilities (PWDs), but an individual's physical ability level is the essential consideration in determining a feasible route. As way of example, individuals with disabilities who would like to traverse an urban environment are required to inquire appropriate geographic routes from live persons at disability centers. Thus, if a person with a disability wanted to traverse an urban environment, to find the most appropriate route, the disabled person would have to contact the disability center and acquire, from a live person, information about navigating. Such disability centers rely on a combination of paper maps and expert knowledge to assist the disabled person in finding optimal routes between spatially related destinations. In some cases personal accompaniment is necessary to make sure that the individual arrives at a desired destination. Although this procedure has been adequate for its intended purpose, it has several drawbacks. First, it is both difficult and costly to maintain paper maps. Second, this method relies heavily on the availability and knowledge of experts. This increases the time required to generate optimal routes and limits the ability to share the information with the community. These factors contribute to high costs with respect to time and money and are susceptible to error. Such structuring is common with other urban environment with similar limitations.
Another consideration in moving within an urban environment is the lack of data. Current paper maps show the location of stairs; however, they do not include other obstructions that may hinder or prevent a disabled person from passing, such as curbs and deep gutters. Theoretically, a paper map could be made to include all of the factors listed above, although even people who have studied a map well are still likely to make large errors in route estimations. Time and other resources can be saved if a route-finding application is developed that considers all the factors necessary for navigating both disabled and ambulatory pedestrians in urban environment. Moreover, it ensures that PWDs are able to locate accessible parking stalls, discover a feasible path of travel, and identify accessible building entrances.
Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used to provide spatial transportation routing by finding optimal routing and location, challenges still exist. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques with the present invention.
Object of the Invention
The object of the present invention relates to systems and methods for using a Web-based navigational tool, to assist people of varying physical ability levels in identifying routes through urban environment.
Summary of The Invention
Some embodiments identify appropriate routing based on user input. Some embodiments of the invention then return a fast, accurate route and its distance. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to assist both local authorities and disabled groups by providing a fully interactive route-finding application. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes the interface functionality of JavaScript while incorporating the optimal display properties of SVG. This software combination produces a high-quality interactive Internet mapping application.
Some embodiments provide a Web-based routing application that solves for a path, including the shortest path, as defined by user inputs. In some embodiments the user inputs physical ability level, origin, and destination. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to select an origin, a destination, and an ability level. In one embodiment of the present invention a user may choose which of three options best matches their ability level: ambulatory, ambulatory with aid, or disabled.
Some embodiments utilize both secondary data as well as data collected explicitly for preferred embodiments of the present invention. Some embodiments provide routing information based on urban pedestrian infrastructure from dirt paths to constructed sidewalks and stairs. Accordingly, some embodiments of the data model designed for this application must be robust enough to consider all possible structural obstructions.
Some embodiments of the route-finding algorithm utilized by the present invention utilize a subnetwork to determine if a path exists. If so, the application determines the shortest path considering the physical limitations of the user. One embodiment of the invention accounts for only structural obstructions. In another embodiment, the design considers temporary obstructions such as building and road construction or destruction as well as permanent structures. Further embodiments consider spatial and path mapping of building interiors and shortest path considerations taking these mappings into consideration.
In some embodiments of the invention, alternative databasing structures are used depending on the relative importance of data redundancy and run-time efficiency in each situation.
While the systems and methods of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in the area of providing spatial directions to the disabled community, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the methods and processes can be used in a variety of different applications and in a variety of different areas of manufacture to yield beneficial results.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the data transformation process
Detailed Description of Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for routing and navigating persons of varying physical abilities between spatially related points. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for using a Web-based navigational tool, to assist people of varying physical ability levels in identifying feasible routes through urban environment.
For the purposes of this application impairment is any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function. This refers to physical or cognitive limitations that an individual may have, such as the inability to walk or speak.
For the purposes of this invention disability is any restriction or lack of ability (resulting from an impairment) to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. This describes a functional limitation or activity restriction caused by impairment. Disabilities are descriptions of disturbances in function at the level of the person. For this project, the functional limitations or activity restrictions are imbedded within the network model.
For the purposes of this invention handicap is a disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from impairment or a disability that prevents the fulfillment of a role that is considered normal (depending on age, sex, social and cultural factors) for that individual. This refers to specific events. For instance, some people struggle to read road signs in the dark. When they drive in the dark, they have a handicap. If they drive during the day, however, they would not be considered handicapped.
Some embodiments are comprised of a Web-based navigational tool that allows users to obtain optimal routes according to their individual needs. In some embodiments in addition to the user being able to specify an origin and a destination, the present invention also allows the user to specify a physical ability level, which is used to determine which links in the network are feasible for that ability level. In some embodiments of the present invention steps are taken to transform the data into the appropriate data formats for display, querying, and running the optimal path algorithm. An example of this process is illustrated in FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment, the first step in the data transformation process extracts a pedestrian network from the existing ArcINFO® polygon coverage of lower campus. Prior to this step, the sidewalk is a polygon with attributes. The conversion to edges and vertices occurs using the centerline command in Arc. The centerline command produces centerlines (singlelines) from dual-line features, such as sidewalk casings, based on user-specified width tolerances. This can also be accomplished in ArcEdit®; however, in ArcEdit®, the polygons are processed one at a time. This would eliminate one step in the quality control process. However, the cost of interactively creating centerlines is time consuming and cumbersome.
Although the centerline command appears to be a good solution, it has some drawbacks. The disadvantage is that a minimum width and a maximum width must be specified. However, in areas such as courtyards and points where several sidewalks intersect, the result may be less than desirable. These ‘problem areas may need to be cleaned up after the centerline command has been run. Also, the user must experiment with parameter settings in order to obtain the desired results. The result is a polyline coverage representing the pedestrian route. Each edge in the network obtains the attribute from its parent polygon.