The appraisal of roadway environment and infrastructure by drivers with autism: A qualitative study

Dirix, Hélène; Ross, Veerle; Brijs, Kris; Vermeiren, Ellen; Timmermans, Chantal; Alhajyaseen, Wael; Brijs, Tom; Wets, Geert; Spooren, Annemie

doi:10.1016/j.trf.2021.01.016

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…This was confirmed in a recent study by Dirix et al (2021), which examined Belgian autistic drivers’ experiences with the road environment and infrastructure elements. Participants in this study described riding as a passenger as a coping strategy to avoid having to drive themselves.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…An important issue is the accessibility of public transportation (PT) for all. A previous Belgian study by Dirix et al (2021) indicated that certain autistic individuals sometimes preferred PT to driving, while others experienced PT as uncomfortable and stressful. More insight into these difficulties is critical to making PT more accessible to autistic people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…It can also complement car use. For example, Dirix et al (2021) showed that some autistic people who own a driver’s license use PT to avoid stressful traffic situations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Autism-friendly public bus transport: A personal experience–based perspective

Dirix

Ross

Brijs

et al. 2022

Autism

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Community participation and the formation of social networks are crucial for a qualitative life. To this end, transportation plays an essential role. Many autistic people rely on public transportation for their mobility needs. However, research shows that it is not always easy for them to use it. The issues they face when using public bus transport have not yet been thoroughly studied. The current case study in Flanders aimed to give autistic people the opportunity to express the issues they face while using public bus transportation. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 autistic individuals. The interviews were analyzed based on the interpretative phenomenological analysis method. Three main themes emerged: creating predictability, limiting stimuli, and open and accessible communication. In addition, various coping strategies were described, such as the use of noise-canceling headphones. The results of this study may lead to a more autism-friendly public transportation environment. Lay Abstract Transportation plays an essential role in daily life, allowing people to participate in the community and form social relationships. Many autistic people rely on public transportation to meet their mobility needs. However, research shows that it is not always easy for them to use it. The exact issues autistic individuals face when traveling with public transportation and how public transportation can be made more autism-friendly have yet to be researched. The current study allowed autistic individuals to express themselves regarding issues they face while traveling by public bus transportation, to raise awareness for making public transportation more autism-friendly. We interviewed 17 autistic individuals about their experiences riding the bus. Three main themes emerged from the results: creating predictability, limiting stimuli, and open and accessible communication. If transport companies take initiatives related to these themes, autistic people traveling by bus can have a more pleasant experience. Participants also described coping strategies for stressful or uncomfortable situations while using public bus transportation, such as using noise-cancelling headphones or digital applications for real-time route tracking, etc. These findings may lead to a more autism-friendly public transportation.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

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Autism-friendly public bus transport: A personal experience–based perspective

Dirix

Ross

Brijs

et al. 2022

Autism

Self Cite

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“…The interaction of light and color is observed in this survey as their physiological effects can positively impact an autistic child. The variables defined in the table for studying the impact of light create an understanding of whether artificial lights, LED, dimmable, and incandescent bulbs are preferable depending on their effect on the sensitive eyes of autistic children (74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80). The most preferred light position is overhead, as there is no direct eye-level visibility to any artificial lights.…”

Section: Analysis Of Colorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A case study on the effect of light and colors in the built environment on autistic children’s behavior

et al. 2022

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BackgroundThe importance of strategies and services by caregivers and family members substantially impact the psychological and emotional wellbeing of autistic children. The rapid research developments in clinical and non-clinical methods benefit the features of autistic children. Among various internal and external factors, the influence of the built environment also impacts the characteristics of autistic children. This study investigates primarily the psychological effect of light and colors on the mood and behavior of autistic children to identify the most favorable and preferred indoor lights and color shades.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted at an autism center among autistic children and their parents. This study included autistic children aged between 6 and 16 (45 males, 42 females, mean age 8.7 years, standard deviation 2.3). Eighty-seven participants were involved in the survey to determine the sensory perceptions, intolerance, preferences, and sensitivities of children with an autism spectrum disorder toward colors and lighting. The margin of error at the statistical analysis’s 95% confidence level is ± 0.481.ResultsAs per this case report, the children have various color preferences and respond differently to different shades. Different hues have varying effects on autistic children, with many neutral tones and mellow shades proven to be autistic-friendly with their calming and soothing effect, while bright, bold, and intense colors are refreshing and stimulating. The stimulus of bright-lighting causes behavioral changes in autistic children prone to light sensitivity.ConclusionThe insights gained from this interaction with parents and caretakers of autistic children could be helpful for designers to incorporate specific autistic-friendly design elements that make productive interior spaces. A complete understanding of the effect of factors like color and lighting on the learning ability and engagement of autistic children in an indoor environment is essential for designers and clinicians. The main findings of this study could be helpful for a designer and clinicians to address designing an autism-friendly built environment with a color palette and lighting scheme conducive to their wellbeing and to maximize their cognitive functioning.

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“…Existing studies have demonstrated the links between the external environment, government policies and individuals’ travel behaviour ( Dirix et al, 2021 , Gärling et al, 2000 , Lu et al, 2020 , Vlek and Michon, 1992 ). The external environment may change people’s demands, desiderata and obligations, thereby affecting their participation in activities of daily life, which is the major driver of travel ( Axhausen and Gärling, 1992 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in travel behaviour: A qualitative study

Yang

Cao

Cheng

et al. 2021

Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives

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During the COVID-19 crisis, a series of measures were taken to restrict travel and social activities outside the home in order to curb the pandemic and ameliorate its negative effects. These unprecedented measures have had a profound impact on the number and purposes of trips and modes of travel. In China, although the pandemic is now generally under control and transport availability has returned to nearly normal, the extent of the changes in travel behaviour wrought during and after the pandemic still remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the differences in individual travel behaviours during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, using Huzhou as an example. Semi-structured interviews were used to examine the influence of COVID-19 on the travel behaviour and perceptions of different groups. The results indicate that, initially, travel demand was greatly reduced. Second, decreased travel reduced participation in activities, which can have adverse effects on people’s health as well as their subjective well-being. Third, the degree and duration of such impacts varied from person to person. Students, lower income cohorts, groups living in small communities with insufficient green spaces, and those working in tourism, catering, informal businesses and transport-related sectors were more vulnerable than others. Policymakers, urban and transport planners should therefore pay attention to the social inequities that arise from unequal access to transport and heterogeneity between individuals. Additionally, public transport systems require further development to promote social cohesion.

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The appraisal of roadway environment and infrastructure by drivers with autism: A qualitative study

Cited by 5 publications

References 63 publications

Autism-friendly public bus transport: A personal experience–based perspective

Autism-friendly public bus transport: A personal experience–based perspective

A case study on the effect of light and colors in the built environment on autistic children’s behavior

Exploring the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in travel behaviour: A qualitative study

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