How can visually impaired pedestrians better navigate the city?

 
 

The following research and design project aims to address the challenges that visually impaired pedestrians face when navigating the city. Many technological solutions have been made available to assist these pedestrians in traversing the streets safely. Yet we believe that the conveyance of this necessary information could be achieved by utilizing a much simpler tactile method, integrated within the existing urban infrastructure of New York. This citywide approach will serve as a prototype for the handling of any type of interruption to pedestrian traffic by the creation of a parallel communication channel. The integration of this system will require minimal intervention into standard sidewalk construction processes. As an alternative approach that develops over time, keeping up with city growth and reinvention, this project can avoid the difficult implementation most major infrastructure projects entail. 

 

Independent navigation in a constantly changing environment like New York City presents a great challenge for visually impaired pedestrians. Visually impaired pedestrians rely heavily on memory to navigate through public space in the city. This memory relies on sounds, tactile surfaces, smell and previous experience. Interruption to pedestrian movement, particularly construction work, poses an obstacle that may deter visually impaired people from passing through the area. Various other interventions in New York City’s public space pose similar challenges, from film shootings to street fairs. Yet due to the relatively long processes inherent to building assembly, construction generally tends to be the longest interruption to public circulation in the city.

 

 

Our proposal suggests a city wide strategy with emphasis on pedestrian interruptions.

 

City Wide Strategy

Creating a standard tactile language


Tactile Path

In addition to existing visual cues, a tactile path will be integrated into each sidewalk in the city. Tactile notation in contrasting colors along the path will draw attention to key points of interest along the street, such as public transportation stops, building entrances, street furniture and information poles. 

 
A pedestrian is approaching tactile notation which indicates that she is entering a new segment of the city block.

Tactile Addresses

As part of this strategy each city block will be divided into four segments, indicated on the tactile path. The block’s break down in distance and scale creates additional points of reference, serving as tactile “addresses” for buildings, stations and street furniture.

 
A demonstration of using a metal toothed brush to create lines in sidewalk cement while it is still curing.

IMPLEMENTATION

The implementation of  the tactile path requires no more than a simple metal brush or stamp, to be applied while the sidewalk concrete is curing. Alternatively if the concrete has already set, a saw can be used or prefabricated pavement panels can be installed. 


Interruption Strategy

 

Notifiying pedestrians of upcoming interruptions and guidance through detours using tactility and sound

 

A pedestrian is approaching a textured surface applied onto the tactile path, which is notification of an upcoming construction zone. The textured surface is triangular in shape. The width of the triangular textured surface increases as it…

TEXTURED SURFAce

Applied on top of the tactile path to indicate upcoming interruption. The surfaces will be connected and secured to the path using grooves in the concrete. The triangular surface pattern will safely direct the pedestrians through the detour, indicating where to turn.

 
A pedestrian is touching braille on a top guiding edge, which is attached to a construction barrier. The braille writing describes the duration of the construction.

TOP GUIDING EDGE

Braille writing and textured surfaces applied to top edge will convey tactile information to pedestrians who use service dogs.

 
A pedestrian is using her mobility cane to touch the bottom guiding edge, which is attached to a construction barrier.

BOTTOM GUIDING EDGE

Bottom edge allows for detection with a cane and creates a uniform identification for different barriers. 

 
The guiding edges that are attached to the barriers are shown attached to construction scaffolding.

Scaffolding

Scaffolding tends to be confusing. Guiding edges could be attached to these as well as to various other types of construction barriers. 

 
A speaker attached to the construction barriers is emitting sound which alerts the walking pedestrian that she needs to turn left.

Speaker / Microphone Device 

The sensitive sound device can be easily attached to existing barriers. It will inform pedestrians of upcoming interruptions and will guide their passage through the detour. 

Pedestrians will know to turn in the direction opposite to the sound. The volume level and duration of repetition is responsive to the number of people and the surrounding sound level.

 
A pedestrian is walking on a elevated construction platform which has tactile markings on the walking surface to indicate its path. The platform also has rails on both sides and a ramp at both openings.

Elevated Platforms 

Modular elevated platforms can be installed in instances of long term interruption to pedestrian traffic. The platforms will direct pedestrians and continue the standard tactile notation of the street. Modular, reusable and easy to assemble, the platform pieces and will provide safe passage through the detour. The space under the elevated platform can be utilized for cables and other construction needs. 


About the Project

 

Project Instructor

Teddy Kofman
 

Students

Ratan Sur
Charlie Blanchard
Chris Taleff
Thomas Heyer
 

ALUMNI

Emilie Gossiaux
Joe Riley
Wai-Jee Ho

Zach Poff

 

Initiated and Supported By

NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Cooper Union
 

Thanks to

NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

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