Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Based Accessibility Modelling Approach in Micro Scale Considering Physically Disabled Users: Case Study of Mimar Muzaffer Campus, Selcuk University

Abstract

The concept of physical accessibility refers to the availability, capability,comfort, convenience of transportation processes considering differenturban obstacles / barriers and costs. In this context, there are manyapproaches for the measurement and evaluation of physical accessibilityin the literature which are used extensively as a decision supportespecially in transportation, geography and city and regional planningrelated disciplines.Although there are large number of modelling approaches on physicalaccessibility modelling in macro scales (such as national, regional, cityand town scales), the research on physical accessibility modelling, inmicro scales (such as street, human, neighbourhood scales), which couldconsider all the details of the perceived space seem to be extremelylimited.This study, which emerged from this lack of accessibility modellingliterature, proposes a Geographical Information System (GIS) supportedmethodology to demonstrate how physical obstacles / barriers such as“buildings, landscape areas, walls, steps, stairs, pits, unfitted streetfurniture, other (garbage, rubbles, trees etc. that prevent access) etc.”and transitions such as “ramps with appropriate slope, elevators and/or“removing walls / steps” could be defined in GIS environment and howaccess and circulation in (outdoor) urban space could be modelledconsidering these physical obstacles / barriers and transitions especiallytaking physically disabled users (users using wheelchair, bicycle, baby'scar, market car etc.) into consideration in the micro scale.The proposed accessibility modelling methodology is conducted atSelçuk University, Faculty of Architecture, Mimar Muzaffer Campus Area.A polyline-based spatial GIS database has been developed todemonstrate how physical barriers and transitions could be modelled inmicro scale in GIS environment in order to evaluate physicalaccessibility. The results of the study could provide an accessibilitybased decision support environment by visualizing and presenting howphysical obstacles in urban space prevent physically disabled users fromaccess and circulation and how the elimination or removal of thesephysical obstacles and creation of transitions will create a difference inaccess and circulation for the users in a comparable manner especiallyin micro scale.This study is thought to make a significant contribution to increaseaccessibility levels of physically disabled users (users using wheelchair,bicycle, baby's car, market car etc.) in the outdoor urban areas in termsof demonstrating their accessibility and circulation capabilities.The primitive experimental model related with this research was carriedout with the participants of the accessibility measurement and modellingsession at the 3rd National Disability Workshop which is held in SelcukUniversity, Mimar Muzaffer Campus dated 2-3 May 2018.