Reinhold, Gaelic Jara;
Jovicic, Ina;
Nandi, Akash;
Markopoulos, Evangelos;
(2024)
Analysis of Personal Safety Walking Alone at Night and an Innovative Wearable Solution.
Human Factors and Wearable Technologies
, 141
pp. 70-80.
10.54941/ahfe1005056.
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Abstract
This study explores the acute problem of personal safety, particularly when walking alone at night, a concern that resonates globally across various demographics. The core of this issue lies in the alarming statistics indicating that in the UK, every second woman and every seventh man do not feel safe in such circumstances, with two out of three women experiencing public sexual harassment annually (Office for National Statistics, 2022). This widespread fear not only impacts mental and physical well-being but also the fundamental freedom of movement, contributing to broader societal and gender inequalities. In this paper, a smart wearable badge is presented to be worn by users walking at night, but more specifically women, children, students, and late-night workers. Unlike conventional safety gadgets, the badge operates on the principles of 'Prevent, Protect, and Provide' with a particular emphasis on prevention.The technology is not merely a reactive tool but a proactive deterrent, visibly indicating protection and thus potentially preventing incidents. Furthermore, its integration with cloud technology for evidence storage and its capacity to trigger an immediate response in crisis situations set it apart from existing solutions.This paper aims to dissect the effectiveness of such a badge in mitigating the fear and reality of walking alone at night. By examining its technological framework, user needs, and real-world applicability, the badge stands as a significant advancement in personal safety technology and clearly shows a positive potential impact on societal norms and individual well-being.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Analysis of Personal Safety Walking Alone at Night and an Innovative Wearable Solution |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.54941/ahfe1005056 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1005056 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © The Authors 2024. The authors of papers published in the AHFE Open Access Proceedings will retain full copyrights as specified by the provisions of the Creative Commons: (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| Keywords: | Personal Safety, Wearable Technology, Positive Impact, Women Safety, Prevention, Night Solo Walks |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > UCL School of Management |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10195663 |
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