New research compiled by the Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (AVA), the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), and AARP examines how technology can provide “barrier-free mobility” to people with age-related or physical impairments – helping them navigate their immediate surroundings when they enter and exit the vehicle.

The research outlines three “opportunity areas” where technology can increase and improve mobility options:

Merging the physical world with digital wayfinding tools…

Understanding the impact of Universal Design language on AVs…

Coordinating vehicle design language with infrastructure…

The research also includes “journey maps” detailing how people with varied ability levels – prosthetic limbs; white cane; hearing loss; etc. – would navigate various trips that include an accessible vehicle.

Many of the findings also suggest applying common functionality and design language to other vehicles in the mobility mix, such as buses and streetcars, would better serve people of all abilities.
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