Exploring Roundabout Navigation Training with 3D-Printed Tactile Maps

Navigating new traffic patterns can be challenging for everyone, but it poses particular difficulties for individuals who are blind or visually impaired (BVI). With the recent introduction of roundabouts in intersection design in the United States, many BVI individuals tend to be unfamiliar with them. Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists have been teaching their clients to cross traditional intersections for decades leveraging rectilinear geometry and the predictable rhythm of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to ensure safe street crossing. Conventional training methods for crossing intersections do not directly translate to roundabout navigation since they present unique challenges due to the continuous flow of traffic, complex layouts, and the absence of predictable auditory cues. We propose the development and integration of 3D-printed tactile maps into roundabout navigation training tools to address these challenges and provide tactile educational materials that are portable, durable, lightweight, and informative. Through iterative modifications based on feedback from an O&M specialist, we refined the tactile maps to improve usability and conceptual understanding of roundabout intersections. Our work highlights the potential of 3D-printed tactile maps to empower BVI individuals to confidently and independently navigate roundabout intersections.