Evaluation of Smartphone Applications to Provide Intersection Information

Abstract This article reports on a two-part study that examined the effectiveness of two types of technology designed to provide information and increase safety for travelers who are blind or have low vision as they prepare to make street crossings at complex signalized intersections. The project was approved by the institutional review board of North Carolina Central University. The subjects of this study consisted of 31 individuals who were blind or had low vision and who self-identified as experienced cane travelers. The first objective of this study was to evaluate a means of communicating intersection information to travelers from Bluetooth beacons to user smartphones so that they could better understand the configuration and characteristics of a complex intersection. The study identified the most critical information that should be presented through this system and obtained data on its level of importance to the traveler. The second objective of this study was to explore the use of a smartphone to initiate the walk signal at an accessible pedestrian signal (APS) and, thus, avoid the need to find and press the pedestrian button. The study evaluated the value of these smartphone applications and identified changes that would enhance their use. The results from part one of this study verified the relative importance of the information provided to subjects and established the value of a Bluetooth beacon system in providing information about the characteristics of an intersection prior to making crossings. The results from part two of this study found that the use of a smartphone to initiate the walk signal at an APS eliminated the need of the traveler to leave the crossing point to find the call button and then return. Subjects reported that, without having to turn and find the APS, they were able to maintain a direct line of approach to the corner, which allowed them to better establish alignment with the traffic prior to initiating a crossing. In addition, the use of a countdown timer embedded in the application provided helpful information about the time remaining during the crossing.