Tactile Wayfinding in Transportation Settings for Travelers Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: Volume 1: Conduct of Research (2025)
Chapter: Appendix C: Data Collection Forms
APPENDIX C
Data Collection Forms
Experiment 1 Section Samples from Data Sheet
Participant # ________ Date ___________ Time ___________
Aid used in study: Cane
- - Does participant regularly use a dog guide? Y N
- - In which hand does participant hold their cane? Left Right
- - What type of tip does the participant’s cane have? Pencil Ball Glide Other:
Pre-trial questions
- Do you encounter truncated domes in your travel? Regularly Occasionally Never
- Do you encounter raised bars in your travel? Regularly Occasionally Never
- When you encounter truncated domes, do you use them in any way? Yes No NA
If yes—How do you use them? _____________________________________________________
- When you encounter raised bars, do you use them in any way? Yes No NA
- What do you think raised bars mean or would mean
| Detection Trial # 1 - Blue | ||
| Surface: DWS – Narrow | Relative Location: LEFT | Approx. Distance: 10’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 2 - Blue | ||
| Surface: DWS – Wide | Relative Location: PERPENDICULAR | Approx. Distance: 18’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 3 - Blue | ||
| Surface: GS 2 – Japan | Relative Location: RIGHT | Approx. Distance: 14’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 4 - Blue | ||
| Surface: GS 1 – Typical | Relative Location: PERPENDICULAR | Approx. Distance: 22’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 5 - Blue | ||
| Surface: BLANK | Relative Location: LEFT | Approx. Distance: 18’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 6 - Blue | ||
| Surface: GS 2 – Japan | Relative Location: LEFT | Approx. Distance: 10’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 7 - Blue | ||
| Surface: GS 1 – Typical | Relative Location: RIGHT | Approx. Distance: 14’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 8 - Blue | ||
| Surface: DWS – Narrow | Relative Location: PERPENDICULAR | Approx. Distance: 14’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 9 - Blue | ||
| Surface: DWS – Wide | Relative Location: RIGHT | Approx. Distance: 22’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
| Detection Trial # 10 - Blue | ||
| Surface: DWS – Narrow | Relative Location: PERPENDICULAR | Approx. Distance: 18’ |
| Detect: Cane Foot Within 12” Within 24” After Never Cane Contact: Y N Foot Contact: Y N | ||
Cane Techniques Employed: Touch Touch and Drag Constant Contact Other:
| Identification Trial # 1 | |||
| Surface: DWS Wide | Relative Location: Perp. | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 2 | |||
| Surface: GS 1 – Typ. | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 3 | |||
| Surface: GS 2 - Japan | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 4 | |||
| Surface: DWS Narrow | Relative Location: Perp. | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 5 | |||
| Surface: GS 2 - Japan | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 6 | |||
| Surface: GS 1 – Typ. | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 7 | |||
| Surface: DWS Wide | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 8 | |||
| Surface: DWS Narrow | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 9 | |||
| Surface: GS 2 - Japan | Relative Location: Perp. | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 10 | |||
| Surface: DWS Narrow | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 11 | |||
| Surface: GS 1 – Typ. | Relative Location: Perp. | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 12 | |||
| Surface: DWS Wide | Relative Location: Perp. | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 13 | |||
| Surface: GS 2 - Japan | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 14 | |||
| Surface: DWS Wide | Relative Location: Angle | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
| Identification Trial # 15 | |||
| Surface: GS 1 – Typ. | Relative Location: Perp. | Identification: Domes Bars | Confidence: 1 2 3 |
Final Debrief
You experienced 2 different types of bars, wide flat-topped bars somewhat close together, and narrow bars somewhat far apart.
Is there one type you think would be the best for guidance?
Wide Narrow
Is there one type you think would not be good for guidance?
Wide Narrow
Do you have any other comments or suggestions?
In a month or so, we will again be looking for people to participate in another project. That will also take place at this same location, and again require a similar amount of time and similar amount of walking. Would you be interested in possibly participating in that future study?
YES NO
Experiment 2 Section Samples from Data Sheet
Participant # ________ Date ___________ Time ___________
To be completed by O&M
Aid used in study: Cane
- - Do they also regularly use a dog guide? Y N
- - They hold their cane in which hand? Left Right
- - What type of cane tip? Pencil Ball Glide Other:
Additional notes about participant and/or cane:
To be completed by O&M after some/all trials have been completed.
Rating of Cane Use Skill: 1 (rather/very poor) 2 (ok) 3 (rather/very good)
Primary cane technique 2-point touch Constant contact Touch and drag
Primary technique for following surface Cane (walk beside) Foot (walk on)
Notes about the participant’s strategy of searching for/determining which way to go at intersection:
Trial # 1 Condition: No CPI Start Position: 8B – White Instruction: Follow
Total Trial Duration: _______________________ Changed Position: Switched Side Walked on Top
Correct Direction/Turn: Yes No* *Why: Lost Surface Never Found CPI/Intersection Chose Wrong Path
Found Destination: Yes No* *Why: At CPI/Turn Went Past Destination Announced Elsewhere Trial Ended Early Trial Ended Early
Observations/Notes: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Trial # 25 Condition: DWS CPI Start Position: 2A – Blue Instruction: Turn Right
Total Trial Duration: _______________________ Changed Position: Switched Side Walked on Top
Correct Direction/Turn: Yes No* *Why: Lost Surface Never Found CPI/Intersection Chose Wrong Path
Found Destination: Yes No* *Why: At CPI/Turn Went Past Destination Announced Elsewhere Trial Ended Early Trial Ended Early
Observations/Notes: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Trial #42 Condition: Blank CPI Start Position: 2A – Blue Instruction: Continue Straight
Total Trial Duration: _______________________ Changed Position: Switched Side Walked on Top
Correct Direction/Turn: Yes No* *Why: Lost Surface Never Found CPI/Intersection Chose Wrong Path
Found Destination: Yes No* *Why: At CPI/Turn Went Past Destination Announced Elsewhere Trial Ended Early Trial Ended Early
Observations/Notes: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Final Questions
I’m going to ask you to rate how easy or difficult you found various tasks to be. Please rate each on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 meaning you found the task to be very difficult, 2 means it was somewhat difficult, 3 means it wasn’t difficult or easy, 4 means it was somewhat easy, and 5 means that you found the task to be very easy. So, 1 is very difficult up to 5 which is very easy.
| The first question is about recognizing the domes | ||
| 1. | How easy or difficult was it to identify the domes? | |
| The next 3 questions are about instances in which you were following paths and there were NO intersections – just following a continuous path. | ||
| 2. | How easy or difficult was it to follow a straight path with no intersections or turns? | |
| 3. | How easy or difficult was it to follow the path when it turned 45 degrees? | |
| 4. | How easy or difficult was it follow the path when it turned 90 degrees? | |
| The next 2 questions are about the times when there was an intersection of paths, and when there was nothing specific to indicate that there was an intersection (the paths just came together). | ||
| 5. | How easy or difficult was it to recognize when you were at a point where two paths crossed? | |
| 6. | How easy or difficult was it to determine which way to go at such intersections? | |
| The next 2 questions are about the times when there was an intersection of paths, and when that intersection was marked by having an empty space with no raised bars or domes? | ||
| 7. | How easy or difficult was it to recognize when you were at a point where two paths crossed? | |
| 8. | How easy or difficult was it to determine which way to go at such intersections? | |
| The next 2 questions are about the times when there was an intersection of paths, and when that intersection was marked by having domes? | ||
| 9. | How easy or difficult was it to recognize when you were at a point where two paths crossed? | |
| 10. | How easy or difficult was it to determine which way to go at such intersections? | |
| A few more questions: | ||
| 11. |
I would like you to think about times when there is a turn in a guiding path, but no intersection (just a turn). Overall, rate how much you believe that some sort of indicator is needed at such turns. 1 = they definitely are not needed, 2 = they are probably not needed, 3 = maybe needed, maybe not, 4 = they are probably needed, 5 = they are definitely needed. |
|
| 12. |
Now, think about times when there are intersections of guiding paths. Overall, rate how much you believe that some sort of indicator is needed at such intersections? 1 = they definitely are not needed, 2 = they are probably not needed, 3 = maybe needed, maybe not, 4 = they are probably needed, 5 = they are definitely needed. |
|
- Of the three path intersection indications tried here – no indication, domes, empty space – did you specifically prefer one of them, or did you not have any specific preferences?
- Of the three path intersection indications tried here – no indication, domes, empty space – do you feel that there are any which definitely should not be used, or did you not have any such specific concerns?
- Do you have any other suggestions or comments?
Experiment 3 Section Samples from Data Sheet
Task 1 Epicenter to Lynx to Boarding Location
Epicentre to platform
Traveled down ramp smoothly? No Yes
If “No,” explain:________________________________________________________________________
Turned correct direction onto platform? No Yes
Platform to boarding location
Primarily traveled along the platform where/how?
- One or both feet on DWS
- Beside DWS w/ regular cane contact
- Beside DWS w/ occasional cane contact
- Away from DWS but not at the back of the platform
- Trailing the fence/wall at very back of platform
Contacted TDI on the first trip down the platform? No Yes-Cane Yes-Feet Yes-Both
Contacted TDI at some point? No Yes
1st Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-5) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
2nd Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-5) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
3rd Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-5) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
Ended trial elsewhere? Where? __________
Observations/Notes:
Tasks 2 and 3 Lynx platform to light rail crossing to Boarding Location
Task 2 - Platform to rail crossing:
Once down steps, primarily traveled along walkway where/how?
- One or both feet on TWD
- Beside TWD w/ regular cane contact
- Beside TWD w/ occasional cane contact
- Away from TWD
- Trailing features at the edge of the walkway away from the tracks
Ever contact TWD? No Yes
Ever cross the TWD? No Yes-One foot Yes-Both feet
Contacted TDI on the first trip down the walkway? No Yes-Cane Yes-Feet Yes-Both
Contacted TDI at some point? No Yes
1st Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-5) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Prepared to Cross
2nd Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-5) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Prepared to Cross
3rd Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-5) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Prepared to Cross
Planned to cross elsewhere? Where? __________
Quick Notes on this portion of task: _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Task 3 - Rail crossing to platform:
Once across tracks, primarily traveled to the platform where/how?
- One or both feet on TWD
- Beside TWD w/ regular cane contact
- Beside TWD w/ occasional cane contact
- Away from TWD
- Trailing features at the edge of the walkway away from the tracks
Ever contact TWD? No Yes
Ever cross the TWD? No Yes-One foot Yes-Both feet
Quick Notes on this portion of task: ____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Task 4 Hornets Fan Shop to East Trade Street entrance to Spectrum Center
TDI path from Fan Shop to stairs
Primarily followed the TDI how?
- One or both feet on TDI
- Beside TDI w/ regular cane contact
- Beside TDI w/ occasional cane contact
- Didn’t follow or greatly struggled to follow the TDI
1st Arrival at CP: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-4) _____
Lost the path Went on wrong path Went on correct path
How long at the CP? 0-2 sec. Short exploration (~3-10 sec.) Longer
Was there any indication of having detected the CP? No Yes
Contact the correct TDI path at the CP? No Yes
Contact the other TDI path at the CP? No Yes
2nd Arrival at CP: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-4) _____
Lost the path Went on wrong path Went on correct path
How long at the CP? 0-2 sec. Short exploration (~3-10 sec.) Longer
Was there any indication of having detected the CP? No Yes
Contact the correct TDI path at the CP? No Yes
Contact the other TDI path at the CP? No Yes
3rd Arrival at CP: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-4) _____
Lost the path Went on wrong path Went on correct path
How long at the CP? 0-2 sec. Short exploration (~3-10 sec.) Longer
Was there any indication of having detected the CP? No Yes
Contact the correct TDI path at the CP? No Yes
Contact the other TDI path at the CP? No Yes
Quick Notes on this portion of task: ____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Task 5 East Trade Street sidewalk to streetcar boarding location
Sidewalk to first/incorrect crossing location
Primarily traveled down the sidewalk where/how?
- Trailing building (way away from street)
- Within the width of the sidewalk
- Along the street-side of the sidewalk using planters, trees, street furniture, etc.
- Along the curb line
1st Contact with 1st TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-4) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then continued Explored then continued
Turned around Stopped/Prepared to Cross
Did they eventually leave this TDI independently and head in the correct direction? No Yes
2nd Contact with 1st TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-4) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then continued Explored then continued
Turned around Stopped/Prepared to Cross/Raised Hand
Did they eventually leave this TDI independently and head in the correct direction? No Yes
Did they at some point raise their hand at/near this crossing? No Yes
Sidewalk to correct crossing location
1st Contact with correct TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-4) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then continued Explored then continued
Turned around Stopped/Prepared to Cross/Raised Hand
2nd Contact with correct TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-4) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then continued Explored then continued
Turned around Stopped/Prepared to Cross/Raised Hand
Contacted the DWS at intended crossing? No Yes-Cane Yes-Feet Yes-Both
Used APS pushbutton at intended crossing? No Yes
Raised hand while at this crossing? No Yes
Starting position? On TDI On DWS At curb/flare within Xwalk At the APS Outside Xwalk
Alignment? Left Straight Right
Quick Notes on this portion of task: ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Street crossing
When started? WALK Flashing DW Steady DW
Arrived at island where? Left Within/DWS Right/Curb Right/Into Intersection
Independently exited roadway at the island DWS? No Yes
Stop on Island? No Yes
Quick Notes on this portion of task: ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Navigating the island and finding boarding location
Independently traveled up the ramp onto the island? No Yes
Contacted TDI on the first trip down the platform? No Yes-Cane Yes-Feet Yes-Both
Contacted TDI at some point? No Yes
1st Contact with TDI: Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
2nd Contact with TDI: Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
3rd Contact with TDI: Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
Ended trial elsewhere? Where? __________
Task 6 Streetcar boarding island to CTC Bus Bay U
Street crossing from corner across Brevard
Activated APS Pushbutton? No Yes
Contacted DWS for intended crossing? No Yes
Contacted alignment TDI? No Yes-Cane Yes-Feet Yes-Both
Starting position? On TDI On DWS At curb/flare within Xwalk At the APS Outside Xwalk
Alignment? Left Straight Right
When started? WALK Flashing DW Steady DW
Arrived at corner where? Left Within/DWS Right/Curb Right/Into Intersection
Independently exited the road? No Yes
Quick Notes on this portion of task: ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Travel to CTC entrance
Primarily traveled down sidewalk where/how?
- Trailing landscaping away from street
- Within the width of the sidewalk
- Along the street-side of the sidewalk using planters, trees, street furniture, etc.
- Along the curb line
When reached the corner serving the CTC:
Found the curb? No Yes
Contacted the DWS? No Yes-Cane Yes-Feet Yes-Both
Turned and entered the CTC? No Yes
Do something else, or go somewhere else? _______________________________________
CTC entrance to Bus Bay U boarding location
Once entering CTC, primarily traveled along walkway where/how?
- Trailing landscaping and then fencing away from roadway
- Within the width of the sidewalk/platform
- Along the curb line
Contacted TDI on the first trip down the walkway? No Yes-Cane Yes-Feet Yes-Both
Contacted TDI at some point? No Yes
1st Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-3) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
2nd Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-3) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
3rd Contact with TDI: How traveling? (use codes above, 1-3) _____
Never stopped Hesitated then left Explored then left Stopped/Raised Hand
Ended trial elsewhere? Where? __________
Final Questions
- A few times today, you had to find bars that were marking a boarding location. You did this at the Lynx station at the beginning, you did it again on the island for the streetcar, and you just did it for the bus within the bus center. Tell me a little about what seemed to make that easier or more difficult.
1a. Did you use any particular strategies to try to find and use bars marking boarding locations?
1b. Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share about using the bars at boarding locations?
-
A couple of times today, you had to find bars that were marking a crossing location. You did this in the Lynx station to find the crossing for the tracks so that you could get from one side of the station to the other. You also did this to find the mid-block crossing that went to the streetcar boarding islands. Tell me a little about how it was to use the bars when they were there to help you find a crossing.
2a. Did you use any particular strategies to try to find and use bars marking crossing locations?
2b. Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share about using the bars to mark crossing locations?
- [If they didn’t ever contact to trapezoid, skip this question.] At one place today there was the trapezoid serving as a bit of a barrier – this was in the Lynx station near the crossing of the tracks. You did in fact contact the trapezoid. Do you have any thoughts you would like to share about your experience with the trapezoid today?
- A couple of times today, you had to find and follow bars to a specific location. You did this to get from the exit of the Lynx station to the Fan Shop. You also did this to get from the Fan Shop to the main entrance to the Spectrum Center. Tell me a little about how it was to use the bars when they were there to help you get from one location to another.
4a. Where two paths of bars would intersect, there was a blank space meant to call attention to the intersection of the paths. Tell me a little about how it was to find and use one of these blank choice points.
4b. Did you use any particular strategies to try to find and use bars leading from one location to another?
4c. Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share about using the bars to get from one location to another?
- One time today there was a small area of bars at a corner that could help you align to cross the street – this was for your last street crossing that you did just before coming to the bus center. Tell me a little about how it was to use the bars when they were there to help you align for a crossing.
5a. Did you use any particular strategies to try to find and use bars for aligning to a crossing?
5b. Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share about using the bars for aligning to cross?
- Do you have any other suggestions or comments?
Abbreviations and acronyms used without definitions in TRB publications:
| A4A | Airlines for America |
| AAAE | American Association of Airport Executives |
| AASHO | American Association of State Highway Officials |
| AASHTO | American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials |
| ACI–NA | Airports Council International–North America |
| ACRP | Airport Cooperative Research Program |
| ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act |
| APTA | American Public Transportation Association |
| ASCE | American Society of Civil Engineers |
| ASME | American Society of Mechanical Engineers |
| ASTM | American Society for Testing and Materials |
| ATA | American Trucking Associations |
| CTAA | Community Transportation Association of America |
| CTBSSP | Commercial Truck and Bus Safety Synthesis Program |
| DHS | Department of Homeland Security |
| DOE | Department of Energy |
| EPA | Environmental Protection Agency |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration |
| FAST | Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (2015) |
| FHWA | Federal Highway Administration |
| FMCSA | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration |
| FRA | Federal Railroad Administration |
| FTA | Federal Transit Administration |
| GHSA | Governors Highway Safety Association |
| HMCRP | Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program |
| IEEE | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
| ISTEA | Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 |
| ITE | Institute of Transportation Engineers |
| MAP-21 | Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (2012) |
| NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| NASAO | National Association of State Aviation Officials |
| NCFRP | National Cooperative Freight Research Program |
| NCHRP | National Cooperative Highway Research Program |
| NHTSA | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| NTSB | National Transportation Safety Board |
| PHMSA | Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration |
| RITA | Research and Innovative Technology Administration |
| SAE | Society of Automotive Engineers |
| SAFETEA-LU | Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (2005) |
| TCRP | Transit Cooperative Research Program |
| TEA-21 | Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (1998) |
| TRB | Transportation Research Board |
| TSA | Transportation Security Administration |
| U.S. DOT | United States Department of Transportation |
