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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K15343/01
Title: EMERGENCY LIGHTING, ESCAPE ROUTE LIGHTING & WAY-FINDING PROVISION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Principal Investigator: Cook, Dr G
Other Investigators:
Bright, Professor KT
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Construction Management and Engineering
Organisation: University of Reading
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 February 1995 Ends: 31 January 1997 Value (£): 115,926
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Building Ops & Management
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Approximately one million people in the UK suffer from some form of visual impairment. However, the actual number of people using buildings who suffer reduced or affected vision may be four times that number. To date, the tests carried out to establish recommended illuminance in British Standard 5266, Emergency lighting, having been carried out using panels consisting solely of fully sighted people. This omission also applies to tests of alternative forms of emergency and escape route provision, such as photoluminescent markings. This research will examine existing medical and applied psychological data on the effect of visual acuity, contrast existing sensitivity and spacial perception on people with five representative visual impairments. A panel of at least sixty visually impaired and fully sighted people will be selected and their performance recorded as they navigate to escape from an existing test facility which simulates an escape route. Five escape route lighting and wayfinding provisions will be tested. Their performance will then be compared with existing data relating to the performance of fully sighted people under the same test conditions.An information guide and educational video will be produced to disseminate findings to building designers and managers.
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Organisation Website: http://www.rdg.ac.uk