Vibration Influence of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators on the Running of Manual Wheelchairs and Walking Frames

Abstract

The riding comfort of manual wheelchairs is greatly influenced by Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSIs) that are usually set on sidewalks for visually impaired person. The goal of our research is to understand how block patterns and their vertical vibrations influence the ride of manual wheelchairs. This paper also presents a system that easily measures the vibration characteristic of the walking frame. Using various tactile walking surface indicators as a rugged path, this system measured the vibration when using various walking frames. This paper, therefore, considers the vibration influence of TWSIs on wheelchairs with and without suspension equipped wheels and various walking frames.