Visual guidance of walking: effects of illumination level and edge emphasis
N. Itoh
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AbstractThis study concerns the visual guidance of walking. Viewing directions and step rate of young and old participants were assessed, focusing on the global effect of illumination level and the local effect of edge emphasis of walkways. Experiments were performed on a straight walkway (normal) and on a short cornered walkway without sufficient visual information (restricted). Restricted conditions included a completely white versus an edged-emphasized walkway, and low mesopic versus high photopic lighting level. In normal condition, both older and younger adults directed their line of sight to the upper level of the walking direction. In restricted conditions for older adults, there was no change in the photopic condition while in the mesopic condition older adults looked longer to the floor and edges and walked slower. Edge emphasis helped to keep their line of sight in the upper walking direction. Young adults looked consistently in the direction of walking in all conditions, although the restricted condition affected their step rate. If lighting level is insufficient, edge emphasis helps older people to maintain a stable walking pace.Keywords: elderly; eye movements; walking; illumination level; edge emphasis
N. Itoh (2006). Visual guidance of walking: effects of illumination level and edge emphasis. Gerontechnology, 5(4), 246-252
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2006.05.04.010.00