Prototyping and Evaluation of a Web Application Supporting Tourists in Trouble and Emergency

Abstract

In this study, we have developed a Web application for tourists to easily obtain necessary information on their smartphones in case of trouble and emergency so that they can enjoy sightseeing in unfamiliar lands without worry. Many tourists visit the area with its historical townscape. The old-fashioned townscape sometimes makes it difficult for unfamiliar tourists to know what to do when they are in trouble. To solve this problem, our application has functions to display the current location, shelters, AEDs, contact information when they need help and some tidbits for disaster countermeasures. We conducted a demonstration experiment in the Hizen Hamashuku district of Kashima City, Saga Prefecture, Japan where we have been researching as a model district. As a result, we were able to evaluate the provision of information that would be useful in trouble and emergency for tourists and clarify future issues.