Conclusions

Conclusion

The study focused on gathering data from both online and site visits in preparation for lab-based research during Phase 4. At this stage, despite strict qualitative and quantitative methodology, not all data or information can be linked to a conclusion and the findings produced are tentative. However, they provide indicative, holistic information which may be developed and refined with further investigations.

The limitations of the Phase 3 study should be noted when considering the results provided. All the site locations used were located in one city and the total sample of sites is five for the online interviews and three on-site locations, resulting in only a limited range of locations being surveyed. Due to the availability of participants, the majority of the participants that volunteered at this stage of the study aligned with the more severe impairment categories.

The main themes that have come out of both the online and site visits are as follows:

Creating conspicuous edges is deemed essential to address the challenge of navigation for visually impaired users. This was particularly noticeable for cane users, as the height of the kerb plays a crucial role in helping them navigate and differentiate spaces. The significance of this issue can also be connected to raised table arrangements, which are further discussed below. This highlights the need to further explore and refine the usage cases in order to find suitable kerb height ranges for these types of participants in Phase 4.

Raised edges, such as kerbs, can form barriers to mobility which can trap users within a channel, such as a cycleway or carriageway, or prevent them from entering an area. Both may lead to user risk, and distress as well as travelling additional distances to reach their destination safely.

Another prevalent theme that cut across user groups, including cane users, guide dog users and wheelchair users, was the necessity for specialised training. Enhancing training, to include ways to best navigate inclusive designs, could prove instrumental in meeting the needs of the users and facilitating a better understanding of evolving styles in placemaking.

Addressing the placement of crossings is crucial, recognising that the users tend to prefer controlled crossings when accessible and convenient. However, it is essential to ensure that these crossings are strategically located and adhere to standardised layouts that enables impaired users to identify and engage with them in a positive manner. This ties back to elements such as, height of the push button unit, tactile pacing, entry gradients, and conspicuous edges, all in which aid distinguishing spaces.

A prevalent concern, from the participants, revolves around differentiating spaces effectively. Modern streetscaping trends to favour flattened kerbs to allow for free movement of people. However, these can pose a challenge for individuals with low visual capabilities, where individuals might inadvertently enter spaces with conflicting traffic such as cyclists or cars without proper awareness. This highlights the need to further explore and refine the usage cases in order to find suitable kerb height ranges for these types of participants in Phase 4.

Related to differentiation of spaces and a common issue raised across the participant groups was the varied designs of kerbs and raised table arrangements. These were observed to pose a disadvantage for the visually impaired users, impacting their wayfinding abilities and increasing the risk of tripping or falling due to inconsistent kerb heights. Notably, the visually impaired participants heavily rely on the conspicuous edges to differentiate spaces. Equally, the participants with mobility issues faces a different set of challenges, primarily related to physical wellbeing and the need to avoid risks like tipping when navigating the kerbs. This often limited their ability to cross conveniently and safely dependant on kerb heights.

It was observed that hearing impaired users did not face substantial challenges with kerb arrangements due to their impairment during this phase of the study. Their valuable feedback contributes to our understanding of usability for all user groups.

The overarching theme of route planning warrants further development, potentially incorporating considerations about kerbing arrangement, mapping, Apps, and inclusive descriptions.

Moving into Phase 4, an in-depth exploration should aim to find the optimal kerb height that allow visually impaired users to effectively differentiate spaces while not imposing undue difficulty for wheelchair users.

Recommendations

Due to the nature of the Phase 3 study no definitive recommendations on kerb heights and layouts can be made at this stage.

However, it is recommended that there is continued research utilising the data gathered from the online interviews and site visits.

Future studies should continue to acquire data in the moderate, and mild to moderate categories where possible. The studies should aim to address the range of impairments across physical movement, hearing and thinking capabilities, as well as systemic difficulties as far as is practicable. 

A focus should be placed on determining a range of kerb heights that are of use to both the visually impaired users with regard to providing a conspicuous edge while not disadvantaging movement impaired users, particularly those using a form of wheelchair.

Next Steps

The previous phases of this study need to be validated in Phase 4 under controlled conditions which allow determined parameters (e.g. height, contrast, chamfer) to be adjusted. Controlled conditions also allow a wider range of impairment conditions to be considered in a safer environment.

Phase 4 aims to expand the study by conducting tests on kerb usage within laboratory conditions at ENU. A dedicated test rig will be constructed, allowing users to safely traverse kerbs with varying height, shape, and contrast under carefully controlled conditions. The team will accurately prepare a series of site-specific 'usage cases' for navigating the test rig, encompassing crossing of kerbs, featuring various heights, profiles, characteristics, and settings. ENU will construct an ideal platform located within a controlled indoor facility, facilitating participants to traverse kerbs with different heights and characteristics securely.

During the trial, inclusive design will take centre stage, focusing on understanding the demands imposed by kerb designs at each stage of the journey, which might render the action difficult, frightening, painful, or even impossible for individuals. A NASA TLX workload questionnaire will be used to baseline effort. A comprehensive design analysis will thus be conducted, leveraging trial findings to explore and develop mitigations that address inclusion issues, considering factors such as age, capability, and workload analysis. Design alternatives will be evaluated based on trial analysis; utilising metrics derived from multivariate statistical analysis of the collected data.

This study is poised to enhance comprehension regarding the impact of kerb design and usage on mobility, providing substantial evidence for robust kerb design; a domain that has been comparatively underexplored. The findings may pave the way for evidence-backed standards development, not only in Scotland, but also in the broader UK and beyond. The potential applications extend to related domains like crossings, signage, road markings, and vehicle automation, making this research a valuable asset for advancements in multiple related topics.