R2 - Remote Accessibility Assessment of the Built Environment for Individuals Who Use Wheeled Mobility Devices
Task Leaders: JongBae Kim, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: Robert Lynch, Architect; Yan Wang, Ph.D
Other participants: NSF Center for e-Design, Lynch & Associates Co., Center for Assistive Technology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Allegheny County Agency on Aging, Three Rivers Center for Independent Living, United Cerebral Palsy
Overview
The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of our remote accessibility assessment system (RAAS) in evaluating the built environments of wheeled mobility device (WMD) users. Network-based protocols for remote accessibility assessment will be developed using state-of-the-art technologies in the RAAS such as virtual reality, VRML/X3D, XML, photogrammetry, videoconferencing, and remote imaging. We will evaluate the effectiveness of our new method by examining agreement between assessment results obtained using the RAAS and a conventional in person (CIP) method.
Specific aims
- Develop and integrate the following RAAS components into the information infrastructure (D1): 1) web-based multimedia remote accessibility assessment module, 2) videoconferencing and remote imaging module, and 3) algorithms for constructing the 3D virtual reality models of wheelchair users’ built environments;
- Assess the level of agreement between the CIP method and the RAAS method in evaluating the accessibility of a wheelchair user’s built environment.
Development Plan
We will develop an online version of RAAS as a new solution for remote accessibility assessment. Three sub-systems will include: Web-based Multimedia Remote Assessment Support System, Videoconferencing and Tele-Imaging System, and 3D Virtual Reality Modeling Environment.
Web-based Multimedia Remote Assessment Support System
By networking consumers (including family members, attendants, and advocates)(including family members, attendants, and advocates) and third parties to the service provider through the Internet, the online version of the RAAS can overcome limitations of the Offline-RAAS. The Online-RAAS provides a means for individuals with severe mobility impairments to access a Multimedia Remote Assessment Support System (MRASS) for accessibility assessment of their living environment, in which preliminary information from the customer including 2D photos, 3D geometry, and sizes and dimensions of the built environment will be included. This web-based MRASS will enable real-time collaboration among project members (e.g., customer, clinician, counsellor, architect, engineer, and vendor) and facilitate consumer control of interventions. It allows project members to share information, exchange ideas, and retrieve documents.
Videoconferencing and Tele-Imaging System
By adding a wireless home networking system (e.g., Apple Airport) to a high speed line and web conferencing system, we can sustain the video conferencing and take pictures of the consumer’s environment in the remote area.
Figure 3 Videoconferencing & Remote imaging System
Collaborating with assessment experts in real-time, a photographer can capture all architectural features and elements of a home with a camera and laptop computer connected to the Internet via the wireless LAN adapter. An assessment service provider with appropriate expertise can view the consumer’s built environment from a remote location and specify the camera position and angle of each photo. With this client-side imaging support we can acquire good 2D photos for the 3D modelling from the remote site. The videoconferencing and remote imaging sub-system will provide high-quality raw data and information for the Online-RAAS system.
3D Virtual Reality Modeling Environment
Figure 1 A conceptional model of 3D VR environment
We can construct 3D models of interior parts of the built environment (e.g., sections of living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom) with Photomodeler. The incomplete and dispersed geometry needs to be integrated to form a complete model to support assessment. Data modelling and transfer protocols will be developed for 3D model construction of the whole construct of the built environment, including real-time model sharing on the web with dynamic bandwidth requirements (Wang and Nnaji, 2004), and data security and access control to protect customer’s privacy (Wang et al., 2004). With 3D VR models, a virtual WMD can be embedded into the virtual environment, and consumer or clinician can explore the built environment intuitively. Problematic configuration in the built environment can be detected easily and accurately. Parametric models can be generated from the static geometry to aid customer, clinician, architect, and engineer in formulating structural modifications and evaluations.
Last Updated: 3-17-06
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