Mobility scooter use has become increasingly popular in Australia.
Currently, researchers from Flinders University and the University of South Australia are conducting a study on mobility scooter use in the City of Unley.
The project aims to find out how and why mobility scooters are used, and how scooters benefit their users. Mayor Lachlan Clyne was pleased that the City of Unley is partners with Flinders University and UniSA, the Royal Automobile Association and Department Transport, Energy and Infrastructure on this important research project.
“As our population ages, it is necessary to provide them with information about the safe use of vehicles such as scooters, which allow people greater accessibility and activity in the community,” he said.
“The knowledge gained from this project will increase the range of information which we can provide to the community.”
One of the exciting things about this project is the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to plot mobility scooter journeys. GPS devices use satellites to identify a location and follow a user’s trip.
This produces data used to draw maps of the areas and routes that mobility scooter users travel on.
These maps will aid the Council and others to better understand where and when mobility scooters are used.
The devices are very easy to use; one simply switches them on at the start of the journey and turns them off at the end.
They also have a ‘point of interest’ button, which may be used to record a place of particular concern such as the footpath or crossing.
Before joining the study, potential participants will be given a ‘goodness of fit’ assessment from a professional occupational therapist.
This will provide advice to users to ensure that their scooter is the most appropriate one for their needs.
