Standards of Interior Design and Smart Furniture to Enhance Long-term Transportation Environments for Autistic Patients

Nageb Fewella, Lina; Mohamed ElSayed Metwally, Salma; Ayman Ismaeil Elasly, Hadeer; Salah Noaman, Samar

doi:10.21608/iajadd.2025.350340.1190

Standards of Interior Design and Smart Furniture to Enhance Long-term Transportation Environments for Autistic Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Damietta University, Faculty of Applid Arts, Interior design and furniture department, Damietta , Egypt.

² Department of Interior Design and Furniture - Faculty of Applied Arts - Damietta University - Egypt.

³ Department of Interior Design and Furniture - Faculty of Applied Arts - Damietta University

10.21608/iajadd.2025.350340.1190

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders are among the challenges facing many individuals, their families, and society, as these disorders affect the way a person interacts with the environment and the world around him. Mobility is considered one of the biggest challenges that autistic patients face, especially during long-distance transportation (trains), Because people with autism may find it difficult to adapt to the noise of transportation and stay for long periods of time, it is essential to provide comfortable and safe environments that help reduce anxiety and stress and improve the overall experience. Hence, the research problem lies in the following question: How can interior design and smart furniture contribute to improving the experience of autistic patients with long-term transportation, and provide a supportive and more appropriate environment that contributes to enhancing comfort and reducing stress. The research aims to analyze the needs of autistic patients by studying the sensory, behavioral, and emotional features that affect the long-term transportation experience, as well as presenting a design proposal to develop a train car, in line with their needs. The research hypothesizes that the presence of special compartments supported by smart technology within long-term means of transportation, such as trains, will provide comfort to autistic patients and will contribute to reducing negative symptoms and increasing opportunities for treatment and learning. A design proposal was reached to develop a train carriage in line with the needs of autistic patients through interior design and smart furniture.

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