Effect of cross-sectional shape of small level change on walkability

Abstract

Floors should be flat from accessibility viewpoint, but small additions like wires or pipes can become inevitable. Safety, walkability and usability of such level changes during trespassing was experimented. Different cross-sectional designs were made to examine their feasibility. Sensory evaluation, movement and acceleration analyses were conducted. Seven samples were chosen, with combination of three heights (5, 7, 9 mm) and three corner cut design (1/1, 1/4, 1/8) combined. Subjects participated in the experiment were 19 seniors all aged 65 and over, with nine among them used walking stick. Simple walking and walking with wheeled suitcase or walker were used to test the walkability. Sensory evaluation revealed 7 mm height with 1/8 cut the best, 5 mm with 1/1 cut the worst from the viewpoint of stumbling hazard. Walking with wheels valued 9 mm with 1/4 the worst, 5 mm with 1/1 the best and 7 mm with 1/8 s best.