In an effort to improve transportation options for people with disabilities, autonomous shuttles are being tested on the campus of Western Michigan University (WMU).

Led by Pratt & Miller Engineering, the project is being coordinated and carried out by WMU graduate students Nick Goberville, a mechanical engineering doctoral student, and Johan Rojas, a mechanical engineering master's student.

“We're working on the modeling simulation of the autonomous vehicles,” Rojas says.

“We helped with the mapping, the cost value analysis and with everything needed to make the pilot possible here at Western.”

The research of Goberville and Rojas is being conducted under the guidance of Dr. Zach Asher, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director of WMU's Modeling, Control and Optimization Laboratory.

“This research is important because individuals with disabilities encounter many challenges when it comes to transportation,” Asher explains.

“Autonomous vehicles, which require no human-machine interaction, have the potential to enable new independence for them.”

For its accessibility research, the team has been leveraging the expertise of WMU students with disabilities. One of the advisers on the project is Travis Waker, who advised the team on how to better accommodate different types of wheelchairs in the shuttles.

“I think people with disabilities need as much access to things as anyone, and this would be a huge step,” Waker says.

“I think self-driving/autonomous vehicles are just the beginning of an easier future for people with disabilities and people in general. I really admire the work the engineers are doing at Western, and I'm really glad I can contribute.”

Taylor Arndt, a student who has vision challenges, has also worked with the team to develop a system that allows students with visual impairments to be fully independent in finding shuttle stops.

“I think it's really awesome that I could help change the project. I wanted to make it fully accessible for everybody, including those with blindness,” Arndt says.

“Organizations that I've been a part of have taught me the value of what autonomous vehicles can do and how I can help with the technology.”

According to Waker, research like this could be a “game-changer” for people with disabilities who need special accommodations.

“Technology like autonomous vehicles will help tremendously with even the smallest things like getting to a future job or being with friends. In the past I've had to rely on others and public transportation,” Waker says.

“With self-driving cars, none of those obstacles are in place anymore and the places I can go are unlimited.”

The accessible autonomous shuttle pilot is scheduled to run for two weeks.