On this week’s The Sci-Files, your hosts Chelsie and Danny interview Paige Cordts from the MSU Department of Mechanical Engineering. Currently, she is working to understand the difficulties individuals with disabilities face when accessing and using transportation, whether that be public or private. Individuals with physical disabilities face many challenges in society, with one of the largest being barriers related to transportation. The most common forms of transportation used by physically disabled individuals are personal vehicles, public transport, and paratransit services. However, few studies currently exist that identify specific challenges for these individuals related to transportation. A survey was designed to document some of these challenges, as well as to test the waters for a possible solution – autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles are a promising solution for a multitude of reasons, including safety and accessibility, and especially for issues related to human behavior and availability of transport in given areas. The first version of the survey provided tremendous insight into these transportation issues – with over 450 respondents – and she is currently working towards publishing these data. Additionally, she has worked on and continues to work on the development of devices that support the mobility of those with disabilities.
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