Designing PostGIS Database System with Fuzzy Theory to Support Accessibility Tools for Urban Pedestrians

Abstract

The combination of fuzzy logic and crowdsourcing can be a powerful tool for generating geospatial data for pedestrians with mobility challenges in urban areas. Although potentially useful, information about the accessibility of paths that is generated through crowdsourcing is susceptible to a high degree of imprecision. Spatial data management is required for such systems, which supports the management of uncertain data. Fuzzy theory allows us to model ambiguous information. To fill this gap, an improved method based on a fuzzy relational PostGIS database (FPostGIS) is proposed. The method includes extensions to represent imprecise data within an entity-relationship (ER) data model specifically tailored for path accessibility, and a set of steps for the derivation of FPostGIS from this extended ER model. According to the case study, this methodology has been applied in the design and development of decision support application within the Maps for Easy Paths (MEP) project. This application stores and retrieves accessibility information about a particular path and allows performing spatial operations and analysis inside the database.