Sidewalk Performance of GPS for Blind Navigation
By Brahyn, J. A.; Alden, A.; Proceedings of the RESNA 25th International Conference, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 8-10Publication Date: June/July 2002
Paper discussing the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) in sidewalk navigation performance by people who are blind. The authors believe that the technology holds considerable promise as a source of navigational information for blind travelers, but that there is relatively little information published on GPS use for people with visual disabilities. An experiment was conducted using a Garmin GPS III Plus, which is a 12-channel GPS system. The GPS was used to pick up signals from the nearest Coast Guard transmitter located on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay 4.5 miles from the experiment site. Twenty readings were taken for each of three different sidewalk locations. Results suggested that performance varied due to proximity to buildings and other urban features. Implications for improvement are discussed.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
ISBN: 00-932101-44-5
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O14462
