Virtual Guide Dog: Next Generation Pedestrian Signal for the Visually Impaired

TL;DR

This paper introduces Virtual Guide Dog, a mobile app that enhances pedestrian crossing information for the visually impaired by integrating smartphone sensors and providing remote crossing calls and audio cues.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel mobile-based APS application that uses smartphone sensors to improve crossing safety and independence for the visually impaired.

Findings

VGD effectively informs users about approaching intersections.

GPS and sensor integration improves accuracy of proximity detection.

Users can remotely initiate crossing calls without physical buttons.

Abstract

Accessible pedestrian signal (APS) was proposed as a mean to achieve the same level of service that is set forth by the American with Disability Act (ADA) for the visually impaired. One of the major issues of existing APSs is the failure to deliver adequate crossing information for the visually impaired. This paper presents a mobile-based APS application, namely Virtual Guide Dog (VGD). Integrating intersection information and onboard sensors (e.g., GPS, compass, accelerometer, and gyroscope sensor) of modern smartphones, the VGD application can notify the visually impaired: 1) the close proximity of an intersection and 2) the street information for crossing. By employing a screen tapping interface, VGD can remotely place a pedestrian crossing call to the controller, without the need of using a push button. In addition, VGD informs VIs the start of a crossing phase by using text-to-speech technology. The proof-of-concept test shows that VGD keeps the users informed about the remaining distance as their approaching the intersection. It was also found that the GPS-only mode is accompanied by greater distance deviation compared to the mode jointly operating with both GPS and cellular positioning.