Using HTML5 technology to build an online visualization tool for accessible routing in urban spaces

Abstract

Despite the location and route planning capacity of mobile devices, there are significant shortcomings regarding route planning according to the needs of people with accessibility difficulties.

This paper discusses the development of a web application to visualize optimal routes for these users using HTML5 technology with open source tools. The development strategy iterated several cycles of coding and assessment, allowing the adjustment of functionality and usability in the early stages.

The result is compatible with desktop and mobile platforms because of the adoption of web standards, such as the <canvas> element and the Geolocation API. Through the web application, easily embeddable in a webpage, users can select a point in a map (using the mouse or touchscreen) and the most suitable accessible route from that point to a fixed element of interest in a map is shown and (optionally) overlaid on the Google Maps cartography.

Additionally, if the device is on the area shown on the map, its approximate position is displayed. The resulting application simplifies both the planning of the route and the on-site orientation, and is also valuable as a visual validation tool during the development of the optimal route model.