Pedestrian Navigation System Using RFID-Tag: Architecture and its Evaluation Based on a Field Trial

There have been various attempts to develop systems that support pedestrians using information technologies. In particular, there is a high demand for pedestrian navigation: a system that integrates and provides navigation and information services for users who are not familiar with a visiting area. The authors have developed a pedestrian navigation system that has a high accuracy of positioning (regardless of indoor or outdoor) and navigates users with pictograms and sound signals to desired destinations. The purpose of this paper is to examine if the system satisfies the demand as a universal system of pedestrian navigation, and to show future developments aiming at providing the service to the public. The authors have conducted a demonstration experiment in which the developed system was installed in a real urban environment, and with participation of public monitors (including disabled persons). This experiment proved its validity for a practical application. Especially it confirmed audio signals as a legitimate method of navigation regardless of having a disability or not. The authors plan to improve the system based on the findings in the experiment so that they will be able to provide the service in practice.