We propose a step-detection system to improve the safety of electric wheelchairs for the elderly. In automobile driving support systems, roads and other environments are being improved, and collision detection and avoidance for vehicles and other pedestrians are being studied and prioritized. However, in the driving environment of electric wheelchairs, it is important to deal with bumps and one-way slopes on the road. In this study, we conducted a survey on elderly people’s awareness of risk factors related to wheelchairs and categorized these risk factors. In addition, we confirmed the usefulness of the step-detecting device by conducting a driving experiment.

1. [1] D. Hasegawa, Y. Fujita, H. Sakamoto, N. Maki, S. Wakayama, H. Inada, J. Okuno, and H. Yanagi, “Fall occurrence situation of long-term care health facility residents,” J. of Japan Fall Prevention Society, Vol.2, Issue 3, pp. 23-32, 2016.
2. [2] J. Sung, J. J. Sosnoff, and L. A. Rice, “Fear of Falling, Community Participation, and Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling People Who Use Wheelchairs Full Time,” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2021.
3. [3] L. A. Rice, J. Sung, J. Peters, W. D. Bartlo, and J. J. Sosnoff, “Perceptions of fall circumstances, injuries and recovery techniques among power wheelchair users: a qualitative study,” Clin. Rehabil., Vol.32, pp. 985-993, 2018.
4. [4] L. A. Rice, J. Peters, J. Sung, W. D. Bartlo, and J. J. Sosnoff, “Perceptions of fall circumstances, recovery methods, and community participation in manual wheelchair users,” Am. J. Phys. Med. & Rehabil., Vol.98, Issue 8, pp. 649-656, 2019.
5. [5] L. A. Rice, J. H. Sung, K. Keane, E. Peterson, and J. J. Sosnoff, “A brief fall prevention intervention for manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries: a pilot study,” J. Spinal. Cord. Med., Vol.43, pp. 607-615, 2020.
6. [6] C. Henje, G. Stenberg, J. Lundälv, and A. Carlsson, “Obstacles and risks in the traffic environment for users of powered wheelchairs in Sweden,” Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2021.
7. [7] M. M. LaBan and T. S. Nabity Jr., “Traffic Collisions Between Electric Mobility Devices (Wheelchairs) and Motor Vehicles,” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol.89, 2010.
8. [8] Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, “Vital Statistics of Japan,” 2015.
9. [9] J. Paris, T. Bellet, M. Cour, and C. Marin-lamellet, “Driving assistances for senior drivers: a human centered design approach,” Transport Research Arena 2014: 5th Conf., Transport Solutions from Research to Deployment, 2014.
10. [10] C. Gelau, J. Sirek, and K. Dahmen-Zimmer, “Effects of time pressure on left-turn decisions of elderly drivers in a fixed-base driving simulator,” Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.14, Issue 1, pp. 76-86, 2011.
11. [11] B. Freund, L. A. Colgrove, B. L. Burke, and R. McLeod, “Self-rated driving performance among elderly drivers referred for driving evaluation,” Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol.37, Issue 4, pp. 613-618, 2005.
12. [12] K. R. Thompson, A. M. Johnson, J. L. Emerson, J. D. Dawson, E. R. Boer, and M. Rizzo, “Distracted driving in elderly and middle-aged drivers,” Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol.45, pp. 711-717, 2012.
13. [13] T. Yanagihara, “The relationship of the choice of the transportation means, the frequency of going out and the functional capacity in elderly people,” J. of JSCE, Vol.71, No.5, pp. I_459-I_465, 2015.
14. [14] E. E. Freeman, S. J. Gange, B. Muñoz, and S. K. West, “Driving status and risk of entry into long-term care in older adults,” American J. of Public Health, 2006.
15. [15] S. Chihuri, T. J. Mielenz, C. J. DiMaggio, M. E. Betz, C. DiGuiseppi, V. C. Jones, and G. Li, “Driving Cessation and Health Outcomes in Older Adults,” J. of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol.64, No.2, pp. 332-341, 2016.
16. [16] SAE, “Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles,” SAE J3016, 2018.
17. [17] T. Haraguchi, “Verbrauchsreduktion durch verbesserte Fahrzeugeffizienz,” Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt), 2011.
18. [18] H. Saeki and K. Shidoji, “Usefulness of an automatic driving status display device indicating comfortable and smooth traffic,” Domestic Conf. of the System Integration Division, 2021.
19. [19] H. Saeki and T. Asakawa, “Study on Improving Safety of Personal Mobility using Step Detector,” Domestic Conf. of the System Integration Division, 2020.
20. [20] Y. Takashio, H. Kawano, N. Maebashi, and G. Takahashi, “Study on minimum measurement of space for wheelchair users in a public toilet,” J. of Architecture and Planning, Vol.78, pp. 65-72, 2013.
21. [21] A. Kubicka-Trząska, “Vision Disorders in Older People,” Encyclopedia of Biomedical Gerontology, 2019.
22. [22] G. K. Sternsab, S. Sternsc, and S. Ryand, “Vision loss in a program of all inclusive care for the elderly (PACE): Demographics and treatment,” Int. Congress Series, Vol.1282, pp. 443-447, 2005.
23. [23] J. P. Szlyk, C. E. Pizzimenti, G. A. Fishman, R. Kelsch, L. C. Wetzel, S. Kagan, and K. Ho, “A comparison of driving in older subjects with and without age-related macular degeneration,” Archivers of Ophthalmology, Vol.113, No.8, pp. 1033-1040, 1995.
24. [24] C. Owsley, B. T. Stalvey, J. Wells, M. E. Sloane, and G. McGwin Jr., “Visual risk factors for crash involvement in older drivers with cataract,” Archives of Ophthalmology, Vol.199, No.6, pp. 811-887, 2001.
25. [25] C. Owsley, G. McGwin Jr, M. Sloane, J. Wells, B. T. Stalvey, and S. Gauthreaux, “Impact of cataract surgery on motor vehicle crash involvement by older adults,” American Medical Association, Vol.288, No.8, pp. 841-849, 2002.
26. [26] R. Madli, S. Hebbar, P. Pattar, and V. Golla, “Automatic Detection and Notification of Potholes and Humps on Roads to Aid Drivers,” IEEE Sensors J., Vol.15, Issue 8, 2015.
27. [27] T. Ota, R. Minowa, K. Ikeda, A. Endo, H. Kato, and T. Narita, “Ride comfort control system considering driver’s psychological state: fundamental consideration on estimating method using biological measurement,” 15th Int. Conf. on Motion and Vibration (MoViC 2020), 2020.
28. [28] Architectural Institute of Japan, “Handicap-Friendly Design Materials – People, Equipment, and Facilities,” Architectural Institute of Japan Design Planning Pamphlet, 1987.
29. [29] T. Günthner and H. Proff, “On the way to autonomous driving: How age influences the acceptance of driver assistance systems,” Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.81, pp. 586-607, 2021.
30. [30] S. Motamedi, A. Masrahi, T. Bopp, and J. Wang, “Different level automation technology acceptance: Older adult driver opinion,” Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.80, pp. 1-13, 2021.
31. [31] H. Saeki and K. Shidoji, “eHMI for automatic vehicle to present the intention to yield to drivers merging onto the main line,” Human Interface Symp. 2022, pp. 633-636, 2022.
32. [32] S. Anna, W. Marc, K. Carmen, M. Ruth, L. Tyron, and M. Natasha, “Designing the interaction of automated vehicles with other traffic participants: Design considerations based on human needs and expectations,” Cognition, Technology & Work, Vol.21, pp. 69-85, 2019.