Course:
Final Project 7th Semester
Project: Sensor based solution for a Inklusive Infrastructure
Added value: encourage communication of local data, make mobile
barriers analysis more accessible.
Group:
with Maximilian Becht and Tara Monheim
my focus : Research, Design, Testing
responsibility: Collaboration, Communication, Planning
Prototyping
We have tested a sensor kit for the smart citizen part, which compares GPS data and accelerometer data in real-time, enabling the precise placement of all data on the exact location and sending it to the database. We use multiple measurement methods to generate a broad range of data that can be used in various ways. Through tracing (GPS only), we can identify which routes are already in good condition and which ones need improvement. With the sensor kit, we can measure all other areas and identify precise patterns, such as different road surfaces like cobblestones, gravel, concrete, etc., as demonstrated in our example. By integrating APIs like weather, we can detect regularities, such as when it rains, all wheelchair users take a detour, which may be due to a large puddle, or when garbage bins are being collected, all wheelchair users take a detour, which could be because the sidewalks are too narrow for both garbage bins and wheelchairs. At a later stage, weather forecast APIs could be compared with the live data from the smart citizen kit.
Scope
Our Project is a scalable concept for collecting environmental data in urban areas and making it tangible and useful. Of course, there is a lot of data that can be measured in a city, and many optimization points that can be analyzed with the measured data. Due to the local situation (old city), we focused on the topic of accessibility in urban areas in our project and used it as a case study for the scalable smart city system. With our solution, people with limited mobility can reliably plan routes on their own and find out whether the environment meets their accessibility requirements. The application also enables city authorities to identify problem areas and upgrade barrier-free alternative routes. One possible elaboration of our goal is to use new technologies in urban areas to collect data and identify barriers to ensure a more accessible living space for people with limited mobility in the long term. We will focus on new technologies for data collection in urban areas by equipping existing means of transportation such as e-scooters, bicycles, etc. with appropriate technology such as GPS and accelerometer technology. The data will then be made available to the user in a suitable medium, e.g. as a barrier map.
Concept
The overall concept is a full-stack system that is built through collaboration between the city and its citizens, creating transparency in data. With the full-stack system, a municipality can analyze and optimize its local environment independently of large data-collecting companies. The system is built on an already existing data foundation. Firstly, a smart database is created that can summarize all data and translate it into usable information through machine learning. Then, smart citizens add more precise data measurements and contribute to data analysis. The usable data is open source and can be accessed for various applications. With digital live visualization, optimization spaces can be identified and solved on the analog side, thus closing the loop. The data of the citizens can be used meaningfully, and all participants benefit from an increased quality of life in the city.
Research
We approached our research in two phases. Initially, we aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current situation in order to define the scope of our project. To achieve this, we consulted with experts from various fields, including an urban planning office responsible for managing multiple municipalities, an inclusion manager from the regional city, and a smart city & smart citizen specialist. Through their expertise, we were able to refine our focus on improving accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility, utilizing a scalable and community-based smart citizenship approach.In the second phase, we directly engaged with individuals affected by reduced mobility to gain insight into their perspectives on the issue, and to design a solution tailored to their needs. This involved conducting questionnaires, interviews, and workshops, which provided valuable insights that informed the development of our concept.
