Aino Halonen

WayPass is an interactive system designed to enhance accessibility and independence for individuals with mobility challenges. Utilizing sensor-based activation, customizable crossing times, and real-time feedback, the system transforms urban navigation into a safer and more inclusive experience. By addressing mobility barriers in Los Angeles, WayPass empowers users to navigate public spaces confidently while seamlessly integrating with existing transit infrastructure.

Navigating public spaces in Los Angeles is often unsafe and inaccessible for individuals with mobility challenges. Short crossing times, unsafe traffic conditions, and poorly designed infrastructure create significant barriers, leaving many unable to move independently or confidently. WayPass tackles these issues by addressing the lack of inclusive transit solutions, focusing on sensor-based crossing support and real-time accessibility tools. Throughout the project, I faced challenges ensuring the integration of advanced technology into a user-friendly system and designing solutions for a diverse range of needs. Overcoming these required balancing technical innovation with simplicity, ensuring the system was intuitive while maintaining reliability. By incorporating user feedback, WayPass was refined to deliver practical, life-changing solutions for underserved communities.

Public infrastructure often fails to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges, creating unsafe and stressful conditions. Users emphasized the importance of intuitive systems with clear feedback to build trust and confidence, highlighting that simplicity is key to accessibility. Addressing these barriers not only improves safety but also empowers individuals, fostering independence and inclusion. However, the challenges extend beyond technology; external factors like uneven sidewalks and poorly maintained crosswalks must also be addressed for a comprehensive solution. Ultimately, thoughtful design that keeps advanced technology in the background allows users to seamlessly interact with the system and focus on their needs.

WayPass is a sensor-based accessibility system designed to empower individuals with mobility challenges to navigate public spaces safely and independently. By leveraging automated range detection, the system customizes crossing times and provides real-time visual, haptic, and audio feedback, ensuring ease of use without overwhelming users with technical complexity. The design focuses on seamless integration with existing infrastructure, prioritizing user needs through intuitive interactions while addressing broader accessibility issues in urban transit. WayPass transforms mobility by creating a safer, more inclusive experience for all.