Accessible Road Transport: Concepts and international good practice examples

1. Accessible Road Transport:Concepts and international good practice examples Julie BABINARDEnvironmental and Social Development Specialist, Transport, The World Bank

2. Outline • Why accessibility in transport matters • Laws and regulations for supporting accessibility in transport • Typical barriers to accessible transport • Components of an accessible travel chain • Examples of good Practice across transport modes

3. Why does Accessible Road transport Matter? • Transportation is vital for independent living • Exclusion increases the costs associated with disability • Accessibility for people with disability generally not given enough focus in transport planning, design, construction

4. Laws and regulations for supporting accessibility in transport • 153 Countries have signed the Convention • 110 Countries have also ratifiedthe Convention (Turkey – 2009)

5. UN Convention applies to Urban Environmentand Transport Systems • Accessibility:Guiding principle of the Convention (article 4) and relevant for all areas of implementation • Physical environment: Measures should be undertaken to eliminate obstacles and barriers to indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, medical facilities and workplaces (article 9 (1) (a)). • Public facilities & buildings: Governments should set an example in ensuring full participation in society for persons with disabilities by developing guidelines to make public facilities and services accessible (article 9 (2) (a));

6. Barriers to road transport accessibility • Inadequate monitoring and enforcement of existing legislation • Lack or limited resources for implementation • Barriers differ by transport and geographical areas

7. Examples of inaccessibility

8. Components of an accessible trip chain in road transport • Multiple factors make transport systems accessible: • Physical infrastructure • Vehicle design • Information • Social (stigma)

9. Origin/Home Walk to Station/ Stop Accessibility measures in publicroad transport Wait for transport Board Components of accessible trip Transport specific measures • Travel informationand journey planning Travel • Safe pedestrianenvironment Alight/ Exit at Station/ Stop • Stops • Accessible stations and ticketing Walk to Destination • Docking • Doors • Ramps • Design and spacespecifications • Docking • Platforms • Ramps • Safe pedestrianenvironment

10. Information, travel planning and training • Where: • Pre-journey planning • Information at stations, stops, on board • The form: • Size of letter in relation to distance • Maps • Comprehensive travel information systems • Awareness training and travel mentors Source: World Bank, 2010 and OECD, 2006

11. Pedestrian environment and street crossings • Dimensions and features to deliver universal access: • Improved footways and sidewalks (gradient, surfaces, layout) • Adequate lighting • Unnecessary street clutter • Road crossings • Signage and wayfinding

12. Good practice: Public participation to improve pedestrian accessibility • Urban Project - Liaoning Province, China (cities of Benxi, Panjin, Liaoyang, Dengta, Benxi) • Focus group discussions; open meetings; field testing • Identified issues: curb cuts; safety island; textured pavement lanes; pedestrian street crossing; damaged sidewalk and pavement

13. Public transport stops and station infrastructure • Access to stops/ stations(Surface; layout; seating) • Doorways • Platforms • Ramps to provide level, step free environments • Accessible toilets • Accessible automatic ticket and informatio desks • Passenger elevator to platform

14. Good practice: Barrier free design of public transport infrastructure in Berlin • 73 % suburban stations have guidance system for visually impaired people • 46 % subway stations have guidance system for visually impaired people • 99 subway stations and 118 suburban train stations equipped with elevators or ramps • Authorized person of BVG for mobility impaired people gives advices in subway stations

15. Public transportation vehicles • Platform – vehicle gap • Design of vehicle • Color contrast • Fastening device • Reserved seats • Public address system • Station Assistance

16. Good Practice: Universal design elements in Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTs) Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Tanzania and China • Access to stations: use of low-floor vehicles aligned with the height of station platforms; gentle ramps; precision docking • Payment: Fare cards for passengers with special needs; accessible turnstile; • Traveler information: for passengers with visionand hearing disabilities • Vehicle interior configuration: Non-skid flooring; priority seating; contrasting color; handrail

17. In summary, there is a continuum of interventions for making transport accessible that benefits all

18. Costs and priorities must be adapted to local context

19. Planning and implementing accessible transport • Diagnostic of accessibility: • Priority corridors and new systems with accessible features • Upgrading system of pedestrian and public transport infrastructure with greatest impact • Door-to-door services to complement transport systems

20. Concluding remarks • Guidelines and technical standards exist • Lack of data and audits on access and mobility needs hinders effective response to implement solution and measure impact • Limited research and understanding of trip chain requirements result in partially accessible transport systems and poor local service delivery • Special events and tourist attractions can be used as catalysts to improve accessible transport systems and vehicles • Demographic and health changes can make accessibility a reality