Pedestrians with reduced mobility (PRM) are particularly vulnerable when it comes to road safety. Research on PRM’s interactions with other road users is still lacking. Understanding PRM’s road crossing behavior is crucial for designing accessible, inclusive, and safe mobility systems.

Virtual Reality (VR) provides opportunities to accomplish this by immersing PRM in virtual road scenarios without exposing them to real risk. In this project, a VR wheelchair simulator will be developed to collect behavioral data (e.g., movement trajectories and gaze points) and perceptional data (e.g., perceived safety) of wheelchair pedestrians in current risky scenarios and future road scenarios. Interviews with PRM on the TuDelft campus will be conducted.

This research is in collaboration between Civil Engineering and Geoscience faculty (Dr. Yan Feng, Dr. Haneen Farah), Technology, Policy and Management faculty (Dr. EleonoraPapadimitriou), and Industry Design faculty (Dr. Stella Boess, Dr. Suzanne Hiemstra-van Mastrigt)

The results of this project will be used to improve safety and inclusion on the TU campus. Moreover, the results will be shared with relevant societal stakeholders (e.g., IederIN, CROW, SWOV, Erasmus MC) to promote inclusive and accessible design of mobility systems.