How can cities become more accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities or limited mobility? That question lies at the heart of BEAT, a new research project exploring how artificial intelligence can improve urban accessibility.
The four-year project receives €3.8 million in funding from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and brings together researchers, municipalities, and social partners.
BEAT (Building Equitable and Accessible Towns) focuses on using data, sensor technology, and AI to identify and address mobility barriers in urban environments — from blocked sidewalks and broken elevators to misplaced bicycles.
By combining urban data with algorithms and citizen input, the project aims to reveal where and why accessibility issues occur. The findings will lead to practical tools for policymakers and urban planners, as well as recommendations to help cities become more inclusive.
The research is a collaboration between the University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University of Groningen, Delft University of Technology, UMC Utrecht, and Hanze University of Applied Sciences. Several Dutch municipalities are also involved through Living Labs where solutions are tested in real-life contexts.
BEAT’s goal is not only to develop technology but also to understand how urban decisions affect daily mobility. By doing so, AI can help cities respond more effectively and equitably to the diverse needs of their residents — from wheelchair users to parents with strollers.
Read the full article on the website of the University of Amsterdam>>
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