Analysis of Spatial Landmarks for Seamless Urban Navigation of Visually Impaired People

Abstract

Navigating in urban environment is a major challenge for visually impaired people. Spatial landmarks are crucial for them to orient and navigate in their environment. In this paper, the spatial landmarks most important and commonly used by visually impaired people are identified through interviews, and geometric constraints of these landmarks are constructed to facilitate the development of map-matching algorithms. Interviews were conducted with 12 visually impaired people who had a range of visual impairments and used various mobility aids. Data were analyzed by sensory modality, occurrence of use, and number of users. 14 main landmarks for urban navigation were selected and categorized into two groups: Waypoints and Reassurance Points, depending on whether they are directly detected by touch. Geometric constraints were developed for each landmark to prepare their integration into map-matching or path-planning algorithms. The result is a comprehensive dictionary of landmarks and their geometric constraints is created, specifically tailored to help visually impaired people navigate urban environments. Our user-centric approach successfully translates the subjective navigation experiences of visually impaired people into an objective, universally accessible format. This bridges the gap between personal experiences and practical applications and paves the way for more inclusive navigation solutions for visually impaired people in urban environments.