Abstract
This study made pedestrian models and layouts of Braille guidance blocks based on an interview with a goalball player and previous studies in order to determine appropriate arrangements in sports facilities. A simulation on walking efficiency was conducted under different conditions combining different situations of spectators’ moving with different layouts. There are two types of patterns of moving objects: Pattern-A, in which only visually impaired athletes are allowed to move on the floor, and Pattern-A+B, in which both visually impaired athletes and sighted spectators are allowed to move on the floor. In addition, there are two types of layouts of Braille guidance blocks: Layout-1 is a linear arrangement of them, and Layout-2 is a rounded linear arrangement of them. The results of the simulation showed that there were no significant differences of walking efficiency between Layout-1 and Layout-2 under the conditions of Pattern-A or Pattern-A+B. Furthermore, there were no significant differences of walking efficiency between Pattern-A and Pattern-A+B under Layout-1 or Layout-2. These results show the effectiveness of the linear arrangement of Braille guidance blocks in sports facilities for visually and non-visually impaired people.
Highlights
This study made pedestrian models and layouts of Braille guidance blocks based on an interview with a goalball player and previous studies in order to determine appropriate arrangements in sports facilities
These results show the effectiveness of the linear arrangement of Braille guidance blocks in sports facilities for visually and non-visually impaired people
Comparing the numbers of pedestrians reaching the goal between the two layouts, there was no difference under the different situations. These results suggested that the linear arrangement of Braille guidance blocks (Layout-1) is effective in the pedestrians’ moving as well as the rounded arrangement (Layout-2)
Summary
This is important to keep in mind while preparing for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Conditions for people with disabilities are getting better, there is still a need for improvement. Only 35.5% of respondents saw progress in barrier-free design in sports facilities such as gymnasiums and pools. A survey targeting the Paralympic athletes (para-athletes), coaches, and staff, conducted in 2016 by the Paralympians Association of Japan (The Paralympians Association of Japan, 2016), set goals for the development of the Paralympic sports (para-sports) such as improvement of sports facilities for people with disabilities and environments in which all people can enjoy sports together. Users feel the facilities are insufficient for use by people with disabilities regardless of the importance of the barrier-free design in the sports facilities
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