Topographical community accessibility modelling for people with mobility impairments

People with mobility impairments face inequities navigating the urban environment. Accessibility modelling tools currently openly available to the community do not account for physical barriers such as stairs or topography.

This study will develop and test novel digital design and modelling tools combining animated pedestrian accessibility, topographical mapping and flexible three dimensional modelling exploiting spatial datasets from Australia’s first open source geospatial laboratory (AURIN).

The research will allow people with mobility impairments, disability groups, and urban planners to model and understand accessibility in their community, providing tools to design and advocate for more inclusive urban environments. The research is immediately relevant to the disability community, and will be increasingly relevant to the wider community as the population ages.

This research was funded by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute as part of the Disability Research Initiative's 2015 seed round.

Researchers

Marcus White [Melbourne School of Design, UoM]

Geoff Kimm [Melbourne School of Design, UoM]

Nano Langenheim [Melbourne School of Design, UoM]

Marija Groen [Housing Resource & Support Service]

Jen Hargraves [Women with Disabilities Victoria]

Debra Dean [City of Moreland, Disability Advisory Committee]