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Accessibility of Urban Forests and Parks for People with Disabilities in Wheelchairs, Considering the Surface and Longitudinal Slope of the Trails

Author

Listed:
  • Kruno Lepoglavec

    (Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska Cesta 23, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Olja Papeš

    (Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska Cesta 23, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Valentina Lovrić

    (Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska Cesta 23, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Andrea Raspudić

    (Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska Cesta 23, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Hrvoje Nevečerel

    (Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska Cesta 23, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

This research deals with the problem of the accessibility of urban forests and parks for people with disabilities in wheelchairs. Through an analysis of spatial data, trails were categorized on the basis of the measurements of the independent movements of eight subjects on six trails. The critical longitudinal slopes were determined for independent movement in wheelchairs, complex independent movement with certain risk, and categories of trails that are not suitable for wheelchair movement. The results indicate that a slope of 5.50% was the tipping point, after which all respondents experienced some uncertainty. In addition, a gradient of more than 9.01% was almost impassable for people in wheelchairs, with respect to the gravel trails examined in this study. Modern measurement technology was used in the field, including the mobile apps GAIA GPS and GNSS GPS, and a total (geodetic) station; the subjects’ heart rates were measured using a Garmin Fenix 6 Pro watch. In addition, people with disabilities were included in the implementation of the research through the Croatian Association of Paraplegics and Tetraplegics (HUPT). The results indicate the zones/trails that disabled people in wheelchairs can pass independently, the zones that can be accessed with a certain risk, and those that are not accessible, all according to the defined longitudinal slope zones using measurements of the movement of people in a wheelchair, their heart rate loads, and personal communication with the subjects regarding the insecurity they felt.

Suggested Citation

  • Kruno Lepoglavec & Olja Papeš & Valentina Lovrić & Andrea Raspudić & Hrvoje Nevečerel, 2023. "Accessibility of Urban Forests and Parks for People with Disabilities in Wheelchairs, Considering the Surface and Longitudinal Slope of the Trails," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:7741-:d:1142373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sugiyama, T. & Francis, J. & Middleton, N.J. & Owen, N. & Giles-CortI, B., 2010. "Associations between recreational walking and attractiveness, size, and proximity of neighborhood open spaces," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(9), pages 1752-1757.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dimitris Kourkouridis & Asimenia Salepaki, 2023. "Cooperative Tourism Marketing in Accessible Tourism Development: The Case of the Cross-Border Area of Greece–Republic of Northern Macedonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Alessandro Mantuano & Fabio Bruno, 2025. "Classification of Hiking Difficulty Levels of Accessible Natural Trails," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-34, June.
    3. Aleksandra Lis & Magdalena Zienowicz & Aleksandra Błachnio, 2024. "Lighting Features Affecting the Well-Being of Able-Bodied People and People with Physical Disabilities in the Park in the Evening: An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Lighting Urban Green Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-30, October.

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