Literature review of Smart Footwear for Wintry Conditions

        The research conducted by [5] was based on the measurement of slip resistance for the footwear in winters in case of ice and snow and the analysis includes the maximum incline that is achievable for the slip resistant footwear. The research was based on the assessment of different methods that are valid for the analysis of winter surfaces, footwear, and outsole designs [5]. The use of protective footwear is increasing because protective footwear prevents from injuries slips and falls in the winter conditions. The anti-slip devices are developed to reduce probability of slipping and injuries in the winter season. In the present work the slip resistance devices are evaluated by determining the maximum inclined angle and surface combinations [5].

        The research by based on measuring the method for the testing of winter footwear on the basis of ecological terms that includes involvement of actual human testing while walking on the realistic surfaces of ice and snow and to measure the slip resistance. The evaluation of protective footwear by based on eight participant testing process related to designs of footwear [5]. The sleep resistance was measured for different types of surfaces including wet ice, dry ice, and soft ice after snow. The maximum incline angle was measured for the slip resistance and the participants walked up and down on the different incline angles of surfaces. The evaluation of result indicates that evaluation of footwear on different surfaces is required to measure slipping probabilities for all different winter footwear [5]. The standard testing was mechanical beach test to measure the actual performance of footwear. The coefficient of friction was determined for each footwear slip resistant on plane surface and on inclined surface. The anti-slip devices are mechanical devices such as stationery step simulator [5]. The stationary step stimulator is a portable device that measures the slip resistance of footwear in in both outside and inside surfaces. The only issue for process is lack of validation.

        In order to determine the slippery slope the testing of gate and footwear is involved in studies. The anti-slip devices have greater ecological validity for sleep resistance, surface analysis, and comprehensive environmental conditions [5]. The primary and secondary data was collected in winter lab. The beach testing was used to determine maximum achievable inclined angle for all footwear in dry ice and snow conditions. According to the results there are different designs of footwear that respond differently for wet and dry surfaces. The environmental conditions are required to be considered for the detailed footwear analysis and these conditions include surface temperature, surface characteristics, ambient temperature, and contamination characteristics of ice [5].

        In the previous research [6] the main process was assessment of anti-slip devices particularly for the healthy individuals and the system considered different ages of users and different types of slippery surfaces. The effective prevention strategies are required to reduce the rate of slip and falls in the ice covered areas. The use of anti-slip devices can reduce the risk of fall and slips on different surfaces particularly in the winter season [6]. The aim of research was to investigate about the best anti-slip devices and how it can be designed for larger group of individuals. In the Swedish market there are three different designs of anti-slip devices including heel devices, wholefood device, and foot blade devices [6].

        The research determined efficiency of these devices on different surfaces by measuring the balance safety conditions, walking balance, and posture analysis [6]. The evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of anti-slip devices was based on three criteria such as appearance, balance, and safety conditions. The research illustrates that the heel devices are more valuable as compared to other devices because these devices are stable and portable. The heel devices uncomfortable to use and are safe in case of Snow covered areas. The preference is based on the walking balance, safety conditions, and conditions required by the customers [6].

        The research conducted by [7] was based on analysis of anti-slip devices in order to prevent the pedestrians from slipping, falling, and injuries during the winter season. The pedestrians are more exposed to fall accidents on the Icy surfaces. The study was based on quantitative analysis and the data was collected from hospitals and police stations for the injuries, slippery of roads, icy and snowy roads. The research suggests appropriate footwear and anti-slip devices to reduce the fall rate [7].

        The uses of anti-slip devices demonstrated that these devices improve the ability to walk at normal speed in different weathers. The aim of the study was to identify the pedestrian exposure during the winter season, occurrence of falls and slips, and prevention method by the anti-slip devices [7]. The questionnaire was developed for analysis and questionnaire includes background of the participants, health conditions, attitude, surface temperature in the snowfall areas, and previous experiences about falls and slips. According to the analysis the most used device was foot blade anti slip devices that reduces the falls and accident rate [7]. The use of foot blade anti-slip devices reduce the accidents and fatal injuries. By using the anti-slip devices the risk of accidental fall and actual fall reduced as 67% and 64%. The researchers concluded that use of anti-slip devices increases the exposure of user without falls and accidents. The traffic environment can be improved in the winter season by increasing the use of anti-slip devices and by reducing the accidents and falling issues [7].

        Gunvor Gard and Glenn Lundborg worked collectively to evaluate the five different types of Swedish anti-skid devices on the slippery surfaces [8]. The interest of research was to determine the preventive strategies in the winter season to reduce the rate of fall and slips on the road ways and slippery pavements. In the Swedish market there are three different types of anti-slip devices such as whole foot device, fore foot device, and heel devices and analysis of these devices were carried out on the slippery surfaces, salt, snow, ice, sand and gravel surfaces [8].

        The evaluation were recorded for walking movement the walking posters and time of taking off the skid devices. Different surfaces was selected in the city of Northern Sweden. The research determined function of normal muscle, knee, and hip joints while wearing the anti-skid devices on all the surfaces [8]. The small deviation in the walking gait can result in the larger embellishment. All the analysis were recorded but there was no Systematic difference in all devices. The analysis perceive that fix heel devices work more efficiently. The safety measures were considered while working on slippery devices with different footwear [8].

        In the previous research [9] classified five different types of footwear on the basis of slip resistance on the dry ice and the wet ice. The prototype apparatus why used to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction for the actual foot slipping and surface temperature of the smooth ice. The fundamental mechanism used in the present study was the determination of friction of the polymers on the ice [9]. The physical and chemical properties of the ice have greatest influence on the coefficient of friction and slip resistance. According to the analysis of these five different types of footwear no one was slip resistant on both dry ice and wet ice [9]. Researchers extracted the results ensure that the shoes made up of thermoplastic rubber and soft heel are more recommendable to use in winters for the dry ice.  In case of wet ice the hard solid material along with the sharp cleats was recommended. The strewing sand on the ice increased the slip resistance up to the level of safe zone and it was recommended for the wet ice [9].

        In winter season of Nordic countries approximately 100,000 pedestrians receives medical treatment due to falls on slippery surfaces [10]. The risk of injuries can be reduced by having appropriate method alternative to move in the winter season. The slip accidents on the snowy roads occurs due to loss of balance and as a consequence the injury causes pain. There are different types of countermeasures that can reduce the risk of slipping and sliding on the Icy roads [10]. One of the critical phase in the human gait is the heel strike and toe off. The countermeasures includes use of different equipment’s, winter footwear, anti-skid devices, road grippers, and fastened shoes. There is search addresses different issues and prevention processes of injuries by use of anti-slip devices [10].

        The analysis includes 33 different types of anti-slip devices. The test simulates winter maintenance standards on the snow, ice, gravel, salt, and pure ice. The analysis recorded exposure general expression and walking balance for anti-slip devices [10]. The frictional measurements were carried out in the Finnish institute of occupational health (FIOH). In the research four different types of anti-slip devices and 10 subjects were considered. In the research four ratings were developed for the walking movement conditions and for the inner rate reliability [10]. The conditions of movements and walking posture included normal muscle function in the knees and hips and two specialist and therapist fitted the agreement at 85%, the movement and walking posture for the whole body including arms, shoulders, and health was 80% agreement. The toe off agreement was 85% and the heel strike agreement was 86% [10].

        The anti-slip devices improves the walking safety and walking balance and indicates capacity of promoted normal walking style. As three devices were considered and all the devices work compatible with the consideration. The heel device perceived more consideration due to stable and fit shoes. The toe device was portable as well as stable for the uncovered ice [10]. The whole device was comfortable for the walking process and it was safe to use this device in the snow covered ice areas. The hell device was ranked at the highest vision with respect to the uncovered Ice walking balance, walking safety in snow covered roads, and working balance and personal use of the users. In order to determine the effect of anti-slip devices 18 subjects were considered [10].

        The study defined increasing rate of anti-slip devices. The walking speed of each participant was also considered and weight of participants were considered for nonhomogeneous groups. The effect of walking on the performance and working of the task was considered for the slips and flip falls [10]. The parameters of anti-slip devices are based on the coefficient of kinetic friction, required coefficient of friction, surrounding temperature, and weight of the user. The fall and slip accident increases due to increase in the required coefficient of friction and measured coefficient of friction [10].

References of Smart Footwear for Wintry Conditions