An early warning system for diabetic automobile drivers with peripheral neuropathy.

PURPOSE: People with Type 2 diabetes exhibit peripheral neuropathy that results in the progressive loss of sensation in their feet. This may adversely affect their ability to drive as there is the potential for their foot to slip off the accelerator or brake pedals, with unwanted consequences including traffic accidents. This research aimed to develop a prototype for an adaptive haptic foot device for diabetic drivers experiencing peripheral neuropathy that can serve as an early warning system for foot slip during driving. METHODS: A prototype system was designed in the laboratory which consisted of four force sensing resistors, four light emitting diodes and an eccentric rotating mass all connected and programmed through an Arduino Uno. The prototype was tested under controlled conditions and validated against recommended specifications. The system was then installed in a Ford Falcon GT 2005 and tested under controlled road conditions. RESULTS: The results indicated that the haptic device was effective in sensing foot locations and providing instant audio and video feedback to the driver. CONCLUSION: This research has successfully designed and fabricated a haptic feedback device that can be used as an early warning system for diabetic automobile drivers with peripheral neuropathy.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONA haptic foot prototype device capable of generating warning signals to diabetic drivers whose foot could slip off the brake or accelerator pedals has been developed.The prototype includes force sensing receivers integrated with eccentric rotating mass system, a haptic controller breakout board, and Arduino software.The system is very easy to use and provides highly reliable audio and visual feedback which are good alerting mechanisms for older automobile drivers.

A systematic review of public transport accessibility for people using mobility devices.

PURPOSE: Being able to access public transport is vital for mobility device users as this is an affordable way of maintaining community connections and participating in activities that promote quality of life. This systematic review investigated literature on public transport access for people using mobility devices, excluding transit restraint and securement literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature in English from 1995 to 2019, with critical appraisal and narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Twenty-six articles were identified, including 14 studies investigating user experiences, seven examining bus formats and floor layouts, and five focusing on bus ramp incidents and optimal design. Studies were generally observational and descriptive, with 12 including analysis of video data. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review of literature related to the accessibility of public transport for people using mobility devices. Topics such as ramp access have been relatively well-researched, as have the experiences of users. However, many gaps remain and there is a need for research to; address the barriers identified through user experiences, discern the best access to stations and stops, as well as floor formats for people to ingress, manoeuvre and egress from a variety of transport modes, and promote universal design principles in the transport sector. Rehabilitation professionals can use the findings of this review to advocate for, and support people using mobility devices to successfully negotiate public transport.Implications for RehabilitationAccessible public transport is vital to enable people using mobility devices to remain connected in their communities.Despite increased international awareness and adoption of accessibility features by the public transport sector to improve getting to a stop, ingress, manoeuvrability within and egress from conveyances, access for people using wheeled mobility devices cannot be assumed.When prescribing new wheeled mobility devices with clients, rehabilitation professionals and users need to consider public transport access and the suitability of different devices for this purpose.Rehabilitation professionals can undertake skills training with people using wheeled mobility devices to test out access prior to independent travel on public transport and develop strategies to overcome any barriers.

"I'm very visible but seldom seen": consumer choice and use of mobility aids on public transport.

PURPOSE: The number of mobility aid users continues to rise as the population ages. While mobility aid users rely on public transport due to its affordability, evidence suggests access can be difficult. This study aims to describe people who use mobility aids to access public transport and the role of public transport access in influencing mobility aid choice. METHODS: Sixty-seven mobility aid users participated in telephone surveys which predominantly used a structured quantitative format. Data were analysed descriptively and any additional comments were simply categorized. RESULTS: Thirty-six participants were female (54%), with a total sample mean age of 58.15 years (SD = 14.46). Seventy-two percent lived in metropolitan areas, 48% lived alone, and the sample experienced a variety of conditions including spinal cord injury (37%) and arthritis (18%). Sixty-four percent of all respondents used two or more mobility aids including powered wheelchairs, scooters and walking frames. The most important features when choosing a mobility aid were reliability, turning ability and size. Fifty-two percent of all respondents strongly agreed that public transport is generally accessible. CONCLUSIONS: While work continues to ensure that public transport vehicles and stations are fully accessible, mobility aid users must manage current infrastructure and access a system which has been shown through this research to have many limitations. Mobility aid users, vendors and health professionals need to work together to identify mobility aids that fulfil needs, and are reliable and safe, so that mobility aid users are both "visible and seen" when accessing the public transport network. Implications for rehabilitation Some mobility aid users experience difficulties accessing and using public transport and further research is required to ensure the whole public transport network is fully accessible to people using mobility aids. Many people have more than one seated mobility aid, suggesting people can choose different aids for different purposes and environments. Health professionals may need to increase their involvement in assisting individuals to select and use mobility aids.