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VIDBE-Q Volume 63 Issue 4
mobility options for the nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population comprising individuals
with disabilities, and other demographic trends such as the increasing number of older
Americans. This program is trying to leverage recent advances in vehicle, infrastructure,
and pedestrian-based technologies, as well as accessible data, mobile computing,
robotics, artificial intelligence, object detection, and navigation. Technologies conceived,
developed, and used by ATTRI should provide almost ubiquitous access to a wealth of
real-time situational data sources, including data specific to transportation,
municipalities, points of interest, crowd-sourced information, and, above all, accessibility
data. Based on extensive research and information solicitation, USDOT has determined
four priority areas for the development of ATTRI applications: (1) Smart Wayfinding and
Navigation, (2) Pre-Trip Concierge and Virtualization, (3) Safe Intersection Crossing,
and (4) Shared Use, Automation, and Robotics.
Safe Intersection Crossing
The project to be discussed below is focused on the safe intersection crossing
application. This application area is concerned with providing safe crossing assistance
at signalized intersections for all types of travelers, and key focus areas include
enhancements to signal systems, connectivity with all types of vehicles, and assistive
devices. It is imperative that technological solutions including design, focus on assistive
tools for people with visual, cognitive, hearing and mobility disability. Assistive tools may
be in the form of personal mobile devices, wearable technologies and kiosks on street
corners to allow for ubiquitous access to connected services.
Applications in this area provide guidance, notifications and alerts in various
communication formats that inform pedestrians of potential complications as they cross
