AccessBU

Track: Inclusive Innovation

Inspiration:

Aimed at improving google maps routing algorithm to include access points like audible crosswalks, accessible entrances and elevation. Google has tried to implement this in the past, but failed so we wanted to prove the concept by starting small scale using data from college campuses.

What we did:

Creates a weighted graph using all the audible crosswalks, adds the source and destination nodes and finds the shortest path. Changes the destination node that google maps uses to the closest accessible entrance. The pin on the map represents your current location. The pin is customizable.

Technologies:

Used react native for the front-end to create a mobile app that could also easily be scaled to a website. We used mongoDB for the database to store the information about the audible crosswalks and accessible entrances. The app has a button for users to enter any access points that they find which will get entered into our database that will end up being used in future routing requests.

Challenges:

Connecting the frontend with the backend. Implementing the algorithm for finding the shortest path of a graph. Figuring out the best way of mapping the graph to look most similar to the actual street infrastructure.

What we are proud of:

Learned more about API calls. Learned more about all the different routing algorithms.

What we learned:

Learned mongoDB for the first time. Followed good UI design. Talked to mentors and other groups to spark ideas.

What does the future hold:

Increase the number of data points in our database and improve the runtime of the routing algorithm.

Built With

• google-directions
• google-maps
• javascript
• mongodb
• react-native