In this article, we describe the design of a method for measuring walkability and its application in two medium-sized cities in Germany. The method modifies the established Walk Score with regard to the needs of older people. While the original Walk Score takes a 2D approach by calculating the reachability of service facilities on a flat road network, we include 3D information by taking into account slopes and stairs. We also pay attention to the longer walking times of the elderly and adjust the selection and weighting of supply facilities according to their relevance for elderly people. The implementation results in a concentric walkability pattern, with a high Walk Score in the inner-city area that is decreasing towards the periphery, but with many anomalies resulting from local inhomogeneity in population and facility distribution and topography. The study shows that it is possible to refine the Walk Score to meet the needs of older people, as well as to implement the methodology in Germany using a combination of voluntary geographic information and high-quality official datasets. We see our research as a step forward on the way to more realistic walkability metrics for senior-sensitive urban planning.

Walking is a sustainable, safe, and active mode of transportation. The benefits that the elderly in particular gain from outdoor walking are manifold, be it free andindependent access to stores and services of all kinds or the opportunity to socialize, enjoy parks, et cetera. This article depicts one particular factor that affects outdoor walkability,namely the gradient of walking paths. Steep slopes can be a serious obstacle to walkability, primarily for older people. The evaluation of available geospatial data sources formedthe basis for a geospatial analysis of walkability in the larger city of Kaiserslautern, located in southwest Germany. The concept of Walk Score was used to quantify the resultsobtained. The results demonstrate that the Walk Score can be refined to better address the mobility needs of older adults. The methodology was implemented for the German cityof Kaiserslautern by integrating volunteered geographic information with high-quality official datasets.

In emergency response operations, time is a critical factor. The fastest route to an incident location often includes level crossings. However, when such crossings are closed, emergency vehicles are forced to wait, resulting in operational delays, elevated stress levels, and temporary inaction. To avoid this risk, fire services often choose alternative routes. These are more predictable, but usually longer, resulting in a delayed arrival at the incident location. The decision to follow the shortest path is often not viable due to the lack of real-time information on the current status of level crossings. The Mobility Infrastructure Online Services (MINOS) project addresses this problem by offering predictive data on when railway crossings are expected to be open or closed. This paper presents a mobile application that integrates with the MINOS data service to support route optimization for emergency responders. The application is designed to be minimalist and intuitive, ensuring effective use even under high-stress conditions by prioritizing only the most relevant information. Furthermore, it incorporates direct feedback from fire departments, resulting in several features and interface decisions tailored specifically to the operational needs of firefighters.