This article is part of a dedicated interview series with Pilot Site partners of the InclusiveSpaces project, highlighting innovative tools, technologies, and solutions aimed at improving accessibility and fostering inclusive mobility in public spaces. The series explores how practical, user-centred approaches are being implemented to better understand mobility patterns, identify accessibility barriers, and support more independent and equitable access for all.
This article features insights from the team behind iSEATRAC, developed by InclusiveSpaces consortium partner TOBEA. Building on the proven SEATRAC system, iSEATRAC enhances independent access to the sea for people with mobility challenges by integrating real-time environmental and accessibility information. The system combines sensors that monitor factors such as weather conditions, water and air temperature, wind speed, UV radiation, parking availability, and live beach views, helping users plan their visits with confidence. By reducing uncertainty and supporting informed decision-making, iSEATRAC contributes to more inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly coastal environments.
Introduction to the technology
Could you briefly introduce your tool and explain the need it was designed to address?
SEATRAC is an innovative system that enables autonomous access to the sea for people with mobility challenges, promoting independence and social inclusion. While the system has successfully improved beach accessibility, it currently operates as a stand-alone solution and does not provide users with advance information that could help them better plan their beach visits.
For many people with mobility challenges, uncertainty regarding beach conditions can be a significant barrier to participation. Information such as parking availability, weather conditions, wind intensity, and beach occupancy can greatly influence the decision to visit the beach. To address this need, relevant information must be collected directly from the beach environment through appropriate sensing technologies.
TOBEA’s primary objective was therefore to develop an Intelligent version of SEATRAC capable of providing real-time environmental and operational information. The iSEATRAC system integrates a range of sensors into the existing SEATRAC infrastructure, enabling the collection, processing, and delivery of live data to users. By providing real-time insights into beach conditions, iSEATRAC improves accessibility, reduces uncertainty, and enhances the overall user experience, empowering people with mobility challenges to make informed decisions and enjoy greater independence in accessing the sea.
How does iSEATRAC support independence and accessibility for people with mobility challenges in public spaces?
People with mobility challenges often face psychological and practical barriers when deciding to visit the beach. Even when accessible infrastructure is available, many do not feel fully comfortable or confident about their conditions and the challenges they may encounter.
One of the biggest difficulties is motivating someone to leave home and go swimming. Over the past 14 years, SEATRAC has enabled people with mobility challenges to access the sea independently, significantly improving beach accessibility. However, important concerns remain. What happens if, after finally deciding to visit the beach, there is no available parking space near the SEATRAC installation? What if the wind is too strong, making the experience uncomfortable or unsafe?
iSEATRAC addresses these concerns by providing real-time information about beach conditions. Users can check key factors such as parking availability, weather, and sea conditions before leaving home. By reducing uncertainty and helping users plan their visit with confidence, iSEATRAC makes it easier for people with mobility challenges to decide to go swimming and fully enjoy independent access to the sea.
Features
What are the key functions of iSEATRAC, and how do they contribute to creating more inclusive environments?
iSEATRAC monitors critical environmental and accessibility conditions that can significantly affect the beach experience of people with mobility limitations and other visitors. Its key functions include providing real-time information on:
- Water and air temperature
- UV radiation levels
- Wind speed and direction
- A live panoramic view of the beach
- Availability of parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities
All collected data can be made publicly accessible through an online platform, offering valuable information to a wide range of stakeholders, including tourism operators, accommodation providers, local authorities, caregivers, and citizens.
By delivering detailed and real-time information, iSEATRAC enables users with mobility challenges to better plan their visits and make informed decisions when selecting coastal destinations. The system reduces uncertainty regarding environmental conditions and accessibility, helping users determine whether a beach visit is suitable before leaving home. In this way, iSEATRAC contributes to creating more inclusive environments by improving access to information, promoting independent decision-making, and supporting equal participation in leisure and tourism activities.
How did user feedback influence the design of the iSEATRAC?
As iSEATRAC is built upon a mature and proven technology, discussions with users with mobility challenges did not reveal any critical concerns that would require significant modifications to the original design concept. On the contrary, user feedback confirmed both the relevance of the system and the importance of providing real-time environmental and accessibility information in addition to independent sea access.
At the same time, the feedback highlighted the need to adapt the system to local user preferences and cultural contexts. Even small details can have a significant impact on usability and user acceptance. For example, participants emphasized that informational signs, instructions, and stickers placed on the iSEATRAC system should be available in the local language to ensure ease of use and improve the overall user experience. These findings demonstrate that while the core technology can be transferred across regions, successful implementation requires careful consideration of local needs, habits, and expectations.
Pilot site testing
iSEATRAC has been or will be demonstrated in several InclusiveSpaces pilot locations. What criteria were considered when selecting these sites?
iSEATRAC will be demonstrated in two pilot locations: Larnaka, Cyprus, and Hamburg, Germany. The selection of these demonstration sites was based on specific criteria related to the core functionality of the system.
Since iSEATRAC is designed to provide independent access to water for people with mobility challenges, it was essential to select demonstration sites with direct access to water environments. Among the pilot sites participating in the InclusiveSpaces project, Larnaka and Hamburg were the most suitable locations, as both offer opportunities to showcase the system in real-world conditions.
Larnaka provides direct access to the sea, allowing iSEATRAC to be demonstrated in its intended coastal environment. Hamburg, on the other hand, offers access to a swimming pool, enabling the system’s functionality and benefits to be evaluated in a controlled aquatic environment. Together, these two pilot sites allow the project to assess the adaptability and effectiveness of iSEATRAC across different types of water-access environments and user contexts.
Furthermore, the selection of two geographically and culturally distinct locations provides valuable insights into user needs, accessibility requirements, and acceptance levels in different regions, supporting the broader objective of developing inclusive and accessible public spaces for all.
What preliminary steps are required to prepare a site before implementation?
The installation of iSEATRAC requires careful planning and site assessment before deployment. Prior to installing the system in Hamburg and Larnaka, detailed inspections of both locations were carried out to evaluate their suitability and identify any adaptations required.
One of the most critical factors is the slope of the beach. The design of iSEATRAC is based on the requirement that the final position of the chair should be approximately 0.8 meters below the water surface, ensuring safe and comfortable access to the sea. Therefore, the beach slope must be carefully measured. If the slope is relatively gentle, the length of the rail system extending into the water may need to be increased. Conversely, if the slope is steep, a shorter installation may be sufficient.
Another important consideration is the condition of the seabed. Assessments are conducted to determine whether the seabed is hard or soft, as this affects the installation method, system stability, and long-term operation of the infrastructure.
Accessibility to the iSEATRAC system is also a key factor. It is essential to evaluate how users with mobility challenges can approach and access the system from the entrance of the beach. In many cases, sandy surfaces are too soft for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. To address this issue, accessible pathways, such as wooden beach walkways, may need to be installed to ensure a safe and comfortable route to the system.
Finally, significant logistical challenges must be addressed. iSEATRAC is a large and heavy structure, requiring specialized transportation, handling, and installation procedures. Transporting the system from Patras, Greece, to the demonstration sites in Hamburg and Larnaka required careful coordination to ensure the safe delivery and successful installation of all components.
Demonstration phase
What are the key elements you plan to showcase during iSEATRAC’s demonstrations across the pilot locations?
We would like to demonstrate that iSEATRAC is highly user-friendly and easy to operate, particularly in contexts such as Germany, where TOBEA had not previously implemented any installations. The deployment in Hamburg provides an important opportunity to validate the system in a new operational and cultural environment, confirming its ease of use and adaptability.
In addition, a key added value of iSEATRAC lies in the integration of environmental and accessibility sensors that provide real-time data to users, including individuals with mobility challenges. This functionality significantly enhances the user experience by enabling informed decision-making prior to arrival at the beach, reducing uncertainty, and improving overall accessibility.
Together, these features highlight both the simplicity of system operation and the importance of real-time information in supporting inclusive access to coastal and aquatic environments.
How will the demonstration phase help you assess iSEATRAC’s real-world effectiveness in supporting people with mobility challenges?
In most cases, engineers can develop effective solutions to real-world problems based on technical requirements and design constraints. However, within TOBEA’s team, there are no members who are users with mobility challenges. As a result, direct engagement with end users is essential to fully understand their needs and lived experiences.
Demonstrations involving users with mobility challenges provide critical real-world feedback that may not be anticipated during the design phase. What may appear acceptable from a technical or engineering perspective can, in practice, prove to be unsuitable or impractical for users with disabilities.
For this reason, it is crucial to conduct real-world demonstrations and collect structured feedback through questionnaires and user evaluation tools. This process ensures that the system is assessed from the perspective of end users, enabling continuous improvement and alignment with actual accessibility needs.
Future outlook
How do you envision the technology contributing to the long-term improvement of accessibility in public spaces?
Accessibility in public spaces is a fundamental requirement if society is to ensure equal access to everyday life for all citizens! Achieving this goal is not only a matter of social responsibility but also a key factor in promoting inclusion and, independence, for people with disabilities.
Technology plays a central role in addressing accessibility challenges in public environments. By leveraging modern engineering tools, such as advanced design software, electronics, sensors, and digital systems. It is possible to develop innovative solutions that remove barriers and improve usability in real-world settings.
Through the integration of these technological tools, it becomes feasible to translate accessibility principles into practical applications, ultimately supporting the creation of more inclusive public spaces where everyone can participate equally.