With the ever-increasing traffic in urban cities, ensuring public safety is a critical concern. People with reduced mobility are especially vulnerable and face several risks and obstacles on busy roads. To facilitate safer traveling, the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers are exploring ways to make traffic more secure for people with reduced mobility.
With the help of Artificial intelligence (AI), researchers aim to develop an inclusive traffic monitoring system that is aware of its surroundings. This platform uses the data collected from the user’s behavior and preferences to warn, assist, and provide tips to users in various traffic situations. However, there appears to be a lack of such data to feed AI.
Therefore, the researchers will collect data through vehicle sensors, surveys, and interviews with people on the road. The platform, backed by Artificial Intelligence, will use this data to analyze the movement pattern and identify the safety challenges that individuals with mobility impairments face. Based on this data processing, the platform will suggest and guide road users in moving safely through the traffic.
“There is a significant lack of such data and technical orientation. If you have limited mobility, every step can be a calculated risk, and every intersection feels like an obstacle course. With this project, we strive to create a safer environment for more people”, says project leader Yinan Yu, who studies the use of AI at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in Gothenburg.
“Traffic safety must include everyone. We need safety systems that recognize the aids and movements of people with disabilities”, says Jörgen Lundälv, lecturer in Social Work at the University of Gothenburg.
The foremost goal of this project is to build an automated AI platform that can learn from the user’s movement patterns, speeding, and driving habits. As the system has to be adaptable, the study authors include life conditions such as those of older people and wheelchair or walker users.
“We believe the results will benefit those responsible for designing our traffic environments and vehicles, and ultimately contribute to a safer and more inclusive transport system,” says Yinan Yu.
The project is called “No AI About Us Without Us: Enhancing Safety for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) with Reduced Mobility” or NOAI, and will run from 2024 to 2026. The project has already received over $216k from Vinnova and AoA Transport.
