The Missing Piece in Urban Mobility: Footpath Navigation
Navigation apps excel at driving directions, but they often fall short for pedestrians, especially those with mobility limitations. Here’s the surprising truth: robust “footpath navigation” simply doesn’t exist yet.
The rise of micromobility exposes the gap
The growing popularity of electric scooters, delivery robots, and advanced wheelchairs has highlighted a critical gap in urban infrastructure data. These vehicles, along with pedestrians, depend on safe and accessible footpaths. However, standard navigation apps simply don’t consider the nuances of sidewalks.
So, what’s missing?
Several factors contribute to the lack of robust footpath navigation:
- The Blue Line Fallacy: Many apps rely on a simplified “blue line” that ignores real-world obstacles like steep inclines, narrow passages, or missing curb cuts.
- Accessibility Gap: Current apps are useless for wheelchair users, lacking information on ramps, slopes, or uneven terrain, making route planning impossible.
- The Microscopic Details: Navigation apps often overlook crucial details like the presence of matching curb cuts at crosswalks.
Companies take initiative in filling the gap
Companies like Amazon and Starship Delivery Robots were unable to rely on existing apps for their footpath-based delivery vehicles. As a result, they developed their own navigation systems.
Challenges on the road to progress
Several hurdles still need to be overcome for reliable footpath navigation:
- Limited Data: Navigation data currently focuses heavily on roads, neglecting details like surface conditions, accessibility features, and even temporary changes on footpaths.
- Footpath Complexity: Unlike roads, footpaths offer a complex web of slopes, surfaces, and tight corners. Collecting accurate data on this intricate network is both expensive and challenging.
- Standardisation Barrier: Currently, there’s no agreed-upon method for collecting and sharing footpath data, making it difficult to integrate it seamlessly into existing apps.
A brighter future for pedestrians
Imagine a future where navigation apps use color-coded paths to indicate the difficulty of a route, allowing users to choose between a leisurely stroll or a challenging climb. Researchers are actively developing more cost-effective ways to gather detailed footpath data.
Combined with data standardisation, this paves the way for a future with reliable footpath navigation. While footpath navigation is still under development, innovative solutions are emerging to bridge this gap and ensure safe and accessible journeys for everyone.
