Design and implementation of a spatial database for analysis of wheelchair accessibility

Accessibility is an essential consideration in the design of public spaces, and commonly referred to as 'pedestrian accessibility' when walking is the primary mode of transportation. Computational methods, frequently coupled with Geographic Information systems (GIS), are increasingly available for assessing pedestrian accessibility using digital cartographic data such as road networks and digital terrain models. However, they often implicitly assume a level of mobility that may not be achievable by individuals with mobility impairments, e.g., wheelchair users. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether conventional pedestrian accessibility adequately approximates 'wheelchair accessibility,' and, if not, what computational resources would be required to evaluate it more accurately. We therefore designed a spatial database aimed at customizing mobility networks according to mobility limitations and compared the accessibility of a university campus for people with and without wheelchairs under various assumptions. The results showed there are clusters of locations either completely inaccessible or substantially less accessible for wheelchair users, indicating the presence of particular 'wheelchair coldspots', not only due to steep slopes and stairways but also arising from unforeseen consequences of aesthetic and safety enhancements, such as pebble pavements and raised sidewalks. It was found that a combination of simple spatial queries would help identifying potential locations for mobility aids such as ramps. These findings suggest that accessibility is not an invariant of a public space but experienced differently by different groups. Therefore, more comprehensive needs analysis and spatial database design are necessary to support inclusive design of healthier public spaces.