Image Recognition-Based Architecture to Enhance Inclusive Mobility of Visually Impaired People in Smart and Urban Environments

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper is certainly of interest on the topic of smart cities and the universal accessibility of citizens even with vision problems.

If the IT aspects are quite clear, the reading of the points of the city remains unexplored and it is advisable to deepen them especially in relation to paragraph 3.3. “The role of automatic learning in image recognition”, but also whit the paragraph that states from line 481 about the first phase corresponding to the collection of data. 

In fact, there is no reference to geometric-functional typologies of urban space - punctual elements (e.g. monuments, churches, schools, ..), linear elements (e.g. rivers, roads, cycle paths,.) or areal elements (e.g. squares, green parks, ...)

It could be useful to tackle the theme of the REPRESENTATION OF THE PERCEPTIVE PHENOMENON also through a perceptual map built with the inhabitants on the model of. Kevin Lynch, ..).

But also the definition of a possible timing for the acquisition of data / elements that characterize an urban space (for example for an average city of 30,000 inhabitants and the possible monitoring that can also be done with the population

Author Response

Answers in the attached document.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The article concerns an interesting topic which is "Image recognition-based architecture to enhance inclusive mobility of visually impaired people in smart and urban environments". The topic of the article is very timely.

Overall, in my opinion the article fits into the thematic scope of the journal and the special issue.

I have some comments on the article that need to be corrected in order for it to be published.

From the editorial point of view:

1. It should be checked whether the formatting of the work complies with the MDPI standards. In my opinion, references should be written differently. Check the template.

From the substantive point of view:

1. In the introduction, refer more broadly to the issue of shared mobility, as it is currently one of the widely considered trends of sustainable transport.

- Shared mobility is strongly connected with the MaaS systems you write about in line 125. However, it has many problems in urban conditions, also for people with disabilities, such as architectural barriers in the case of scooters left on the sidewalks, etc. Check 'The Concept of Rules and Recommendations for Riding Shared and Private E-Scooters in the Road Network in the Light of Global Problems'.

- On line 126 you write about access to information for all kinds of users. In fact, this type of access gives the use of open innovation and the possibility of user participation in the creation of transport systems. The article 'Open Innovation Business Model as an Opportunity to Enhance the Development of Sustainable Shared Mobility Industry' will be helpful.

- In line 138, when you write about creating transport policies, it is also worth referring to the fact that these policies should strive to limit various types of transport exclusions.

2. I wonder if this work is more of a research article or a review? If there is to be an article, describe the methodology, results and discussion of the obtained results in more detail, and in the summary you will indicate whether the aim of the work has been achieved.

Good luck!

Author Response

Answers in the attached document.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thanks for the changes made. The article has been significantly improved and is currently on a very good scientific level. Only two suggestions:

- please decide what type of work, article or review, etc., and indicate it before the title of the article,

- in the reference [29], the author's name is "Turoń".

My congratulations!