# From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Rethinking Autonomous Vehicle Design for Visually Impaired Users
## 4 Results
### Results for the Deliver Step: Verification of Scenarios  
Following the derivation of prospective mobility concepts and scenarios fitted to the visually impaired, a survey was carried out to ascertain the necessity of these functionalities for this demographic. A scenario-based evaluation was undertaken, entailing the utility rat  
Figure 4: New mobility concept and image for visually impaired individuals. Figure 5: Scenarios proposed based on the new concept and expected prototype. The first scenario indicates automatic door opening with sound. The second and third scenarios provide guides for identification and boarding. Scenarios for driving and drop-off include providing location and safety information. ing of each scenario on a Likert scale of 1 to 5. A total of 16 participants were encompassed within the study, with 11 being males and 5 females, evenly split between 8 individuals with total blindness and 8 with low vision (see Table 2). An independent \(t\)-test was conducted to examine whether there were statistically significant differences in scenario ratings between blind and low vision participants. The results revealed no significant differences across all six scenarios (\(p\) > 0.05), suggesting that the proposed features were perceived similarly in terms of utility by both groups. Utility ratings for six proposed scenarios were categorized by user type (blind, low vision, and all) (see Figure 6). Assessment results revealed that drop-off notifications were considered the most useful scenario, while user verification was the least useful. Participants, regardless of total blindness or low vision, expressed challenges with user verification, citing difficulty locating cameras, waiting in unfavorable conditions, and privacy concerns. One blind participant noted, \"When it's raining or dark, you may have to stand in front of the vehicle for a long time, so a different method is needed\". Many preferred using nicknames for authentication, stating, \"I would rather use a designated nickname like Starbucks Siren Order than my real name\". For drop-off notifications, participants emphasized the usefulness of auditory displays or feature sounds, explaining, \"We are accustomed to specific music and exit notifications, which give a sense of safety\". Other scenarios showed mixed preferences based on visual ability. Blind participants appreciated the \"Boarding door with wind\" scenario for estimating vehicle height, with one saying, \"It's good to be able to estimate the height of the vehicle\". Those with low vision were less favorable, citing discomfort with sudden wind and seasonal variability, noting, \"Preference seems to vary depending on the season\". For controlling displays, blind participants preferred smartphone-based controls, suggesting, \"I wish it would be simple to operate the desired function with numbers 1, 2, and 3\", while those with low vision favored physical buttons, commenting, \"I wish there were physical buttons on both sides of the display like a bank ATM\". Obstacle warnings were widely appreciated, with one