TRAM - DISABILITY CONSULTATION
JANUARY 2009
www.edinburghtrams.com TRAM - DISABILITY CONSULTATION
www.edinburghtrams.com DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION
This report details items raised during consultation on the Edinburgh Tram mock-up on the 4th, 5th and 11th December 2008, and details actions being taken to address where these are applicable. If significant revisions are made to elements of the tram design beyond that envisaged in this report, then these will be subject to a further consultation.
We would like to acknowledge the time of all of those who have participated in the consultation.
1 Some of those consulted felt that luggage racks immediately adjacent to doorways would be preferable. There were some concerns that wheelchair spaces might be used as a luggage depositary if closer than racks. Blind/visually impaired visitors expressed preference for priority seats to be immediately adjacent to doorways (but not in the same section of the tram as the wheelchair spaces).
Fig. 1. Drawing of the general arrangement of the Edinburgh Trams.
Racks adjacent to the doorways was the original aim but practicalities in developing the overall layout with all the requirements dictated otherwise. The priority seats are adjacent to doorways in a different module to the wheelchair spaces (please see the general arrangement
24/02/2009 1
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION drawing above). The priority seats are symmetrical arranged at both ends of the tram immediately adjacent to entrance doors.
2 Confirmation requested of position of wheelchair symbol on platforms in relation to position of tram doors when tram stopped i.e. 2 symbols directly in line with doors or 1 symbol offset?
Please see the drawing below. There will be tactiles and wheelchair symbol(s) as shown offset from the centre of the platform in line with appropriate doors on the tram.
Wheelchair Markings
Wheelchair Marking
Fig. 2. Drawing of a typical central platform tramstop.
3 Suggestion that additional vertical manifestation closest to the bodyside would be useful on back edge of the partition doors – current manifestations were felt to be insufficient.
This will be addressed with CAF and the manifestations adapted.
4 Various questions raised about steps and gaps between the platform and tram doors.
Indication given that likely to be only around 40-50mm step/gap.
24/02/2009 2
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION
5 Concerns raised re walking sticks etc. slipping down the gap. Visitors asked whether it was technically feasible to have an automatically extending door sill to fill the gap.
There are technical problems that have been experienced with extending door sills (reliability of the equipment and delay to door opening). Edinburgh will be well within the RVAR figures, and experience elsewhere has been that with these dimensions problems have not occurred in practice. We do not propose to make a change.
6 Question re internal Passenger Indicator Displays (PIDs) – confirmation requested that PIDs will not scroll, but will display successive lines of text for fixed period then alternate.
This has been confirmed with CAF.
7 There was a positive response to the door button positions and texture from blind/visually impaired representatives. Questions were asked about the door operations i.e. whether operated by passengers or drivers or opened/closed automatically. There was a request to consider a button to ask the driver to open all doors for the wheelchair bay.
The wheelchair stopping button is treated in a different manner on the driver’s desk and when this is pressed, the driver will then be able to open all doors at the stop.
8 Ridged grab-poles would be preferred to smooth ones.
Fig. 3. A bus ridged grab-pole showing discolouration due to frequent use.
24/02/2009 3
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION
This has come up on projects previously. Ridged poles (of the type sometimes used on buses following DPTAC) are very difficult to keep clean and avoid the paint coming off. They are not used by rolling stock manufacturers. Instead the coating of the actual grab-poles is designed to be non-slip and the grab-poles are of a larger diameter than on buses to make them easier to grasp.
No action required.
9 Positive comments re contrast of white grab-poles with blue request stop buttons.
No action required.
10 Braille on stop request buttons would be good idea.
We agree and the production trams will incorporate this feature.
11 Positive response to lower position of stop request buttons at priority seats.
No action required.
12 Preference expressed for seats with higher backs (better for posture & protects passengers’ heads from being ‘bashed’ by other passengers/bags etc.).
We intend to implement high backed seats with integrated handle and improved grab-pole mounting into the production trams.
13 Concern over slip resistance of flooring, particularly if wet. Will any trials be carried out with water on the floor?
The material selected is standard for the application. Along with many other items, we are not starting with a clean sheet but adopting proven design elements and materials. We have requested evidence to be provided by CAF (see Appendix 1) and we will also undertake some informal trials using the ‘pendulum’ test on the mock-up and pass on the results.
14 The ceiling being white and reflective may on sunny days cause significant glare. A matt finish would reduce this.
We intend to have a matt finish on the ceiling of the production trams.
24/02/2009 4
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION
15 Suggestion that glass panels at side of luggage racks need manifestation.
We propose that these will be tinted glass and intend to put a vinyl manifestation on the glass.
16 Suggestion that tonal difference at intercom point could be improved (metal finishes get lost).
We have discussed this with CAF and the production trams will feature a more pronounced tonal contrast of the button to the housing.
17 View that position of intercom point would be inaccessible for wheelchair user sitting in recommended position (mixed opinions on this dependent on design of wheelchair; some felt that button was accessible but speaker might be too far away).
We have discussed this with CAF and intend to improve the location closer to the seatback and slightly raised.
18 Facing seats are too close together for four people to sit comfortably & others provide insufficient legroom for taller people.
We have revised the seating layout with CAF to minimise this concern, please refer to Figure 1.
19 Positive response to contrasts in floor colouring.
No action required.
20 Additional vertical support would be useful between wheelchair space & doorway.
We intend to provide an additional vertical grab-pole in this location. The change to high back seats with integrated handles should, we believe, also improve this situation.
21 Question asked whether any hanging straps would be provided for shorter people.
That is not the intention as these do not offer stable support, particularly under braking. It is intended that shorter people would make use of the vertical handrails or the handles on the high back seats.
24/02/2009 5
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION
22 No indication given of potential floor movement in articulation areas – could catch people unawares & throw off-balance.
In practice this has not been found to be a problem on other systems. As on the mock-up we do not propose any positive marking. Some systems have put bright colour at the curved edge although it's difficult to do durably and been found unnecessary. We have a good selection of vertical grab-poles in the area and do not have high speeds where there are tight curves.
23 Questions re validity of concessionary passes.
We are working on the basis that these will be eligible as on buses.
24 Questions asked re ticket validation arrangements and positions of validators on platforms in relation to door positions.
Consultation on these items will follow later this year, but we anticipate smartcard validators at 4 points along the length of the tramstop.
25 Request for future consultation on proposed design of tickets.
Consultation on this item will follow later this year.
26 Preference expressed for contrast between seats & flooring e.g. patterned seats/plain flooring or vice versa.
This is currently under review and we will revert if significant changes are to be made.
27 Question asked whether induction loops would be provided in saloon.
This has not been included in the specification as there is visual information as well, and there is generally the Inspector for out-of- course situations, however we have asked CAF whether this could be fitted. The tram stop shelters do have induction loops specified for PA announcements.
28 Audible tone at door for ‘enabled’ signal needs to be louder than on mock-up.
An additional sounder is to be fitted to the outside of the door, the volume is to be adjusted during commissioning, and we will aim to have
24/02/2009 6
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION it at a sound level that will indicate clearly which side the doors have been enabled on.
29 Suggestion that seats opposite wheelchair space could be flip- up.
We originally specified to avoid tip-ups for various reasons including difficulty in controlling use and avoiding finger traps. It would have to be a special seat and two side by side laterally unlikely to be feasible unless made with much narrower cushions. We do not propose to take further at this point as the clear space for wheelchairs complies with RVAR.
30 Stop request button in wheelchair space could be bigger & palm operable with more protruding button.
We agree and this is being progressed with CAF.
31 Further consultation requested on detailed design of signs/notices in respect of colours/fonts etc.
We would envisage arranging a further exercise later in the year or early 2010 for determining the initial set of notices, with finalisation when we have the first tram available in Edinburgh.
32 Can the wheelchair space stop request button give an alert to the Inspector?
Whilst the Inspector should hopefully be on the lookout generally, we have requested CAF to provide this in the form of a discreet tone over the public address when the wheelchair stop request button is pressed.
33 Time to allow settling on boarding.
The tram is designed to be smooth in its acceleration and driver training will complement this. Stop times will be timetabled, however drivers will have discretion to extend the stop time where this appears necessary.
34 Centre pole in vestibules adjacent to wheelchair spaces.
We are fine tuning the positioning of this grab-pole with CAF to provide the maximum manoeuvring space for wheelchairs possible.
35 The wheelchair backrest has evolved during the consultation, what will the appearance be like on the production trams?
24/02/2009 7
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION
The appearance will be improved on the production version. This will form a floor to ceiling grab-pole with tinted glass panels behind the ‘ironing board’ style wheelchair backrest.
36 TFT Screens visibility could be improved by angling inwards, towards the centre of the saloon.
We are working with CAF to finalise the positioning of these displays, however they are designed with a wide viewing angle so we do not envisage a problem for them to be seen.
37 The tonal difference on the floor layout at the door areas, buttons on the poles, and in identifying the poles, and seating (low back as displayed) to surrounding, seemed appropriate. The internal door surrounds are white and there are white grab rails at each side of the door. Whilst the wall colour is peach and offers a tonal contrast, perhaps there is scope for confusion between white grab rail and door surround. A tonal difference between the white door surround and the white grab rail would eliminate this.
We have analysed this situation, and it is only a very small angle, (around 15 degrees), of entry where the white grab-pole is seen against the relatively narrow white door surround. For the vast majority of entry angles the grab-pole is contrasted against the dark tinted door glass. The white door frames provide a good contrast against the walls and the tinted door glass to help guide visually impaired passengers to the door open button.
No action proposed.
38 There was mention of the benefit of providing grab rails to top of each seat, and there are no grab rails at the accessible priority seating areas. If grab rails are to be installed atop all seating then this would eliminate this issue, however, if this is not going to be the case, then as a minimum provision we would recommend grab rail facilities within the access priority seating areas.
We are implementing a high back seat which incorporates an integral handle with an improved grab-pole fixing arrangement.
39 Are the central platform Edinburgh tram stops going to incorporate vibrating buttons for the crossings underneath the signal request button box?
24/02/2009 8
DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTATION
It is proposed to install the equipment as installed elsewhere in Edinburgh so that there is consistency. This provides a vibrating cone indication beneath the box for visually impaired users.
If you have any specific questions, please contact
Alastair Richards, Managing Director – Edinburgh Trams Citypoint 65 Haymarket Terrace Edinburgh EH12 5HD Tel: 0131 623 8705 or e-mail [email protected]
Or
UK MB Enquiries – e-mail [email protected]
24/02/2009 9
APPENDIX ONE APPENDIX ONE
APPENDIX TWO
VISITS TO TRAM MOCK-UP (Disabled and Disability Groups)
THURS 4 DECEMBER 2008
1000 hours Hidden disabilities - also walks with sticks Mr Chris Hill
Registered blind - guide dog Ms Shona Black Guide Dogs for the Blind
Mr Francisco Villalvilla Guide Dogs for the Blind
Mr John Moore Lothian Community Transport Services (LCTS)
Ms Jane Horsburgh Public Policy Mgr, Guide Dogs for the Blind
1430 hours Mobility problems and is also Irene Garden's carer Mr Al Garden
Wheelchair user Mrs Irene Garden
Wheelchair (motorised) user Mr Ross Carpenter
Ms Betty Milton Chair of Edinburgh Transport Group (ETG)
Ms April Robertson RNIB Scotland
Registered Blind Ms Diane Hay Rehab Worker, RNIB Scotland Special Needs Information Point (SNIP), Royal Mobility problems Mr Colin Young Hospital for Sick Children
(PA, Beverley Wilson)
FRI 5 DECEMBER 2008
0900-1000 hours Anne has difficulty standing for long periods of Registered blind - guide dog Joy Ms Anne Geddie time Acting Chair, Edinburgh Disability Equality Wheelchair user Ms Maggie Killin Forum
THURS 11 DECEMBER 2008
1100 hours
Mr David Griffiths Chief Executive, Ecas
Wheelchair user Mr Ian McInnes Connection with Ecas Project Development Officer, RNIB Ms Mo Colvin Scotland/Haggeye
Uses two sticks to walk Mr John Ballantine Edinburgh Disability Equality Forum
APPENDIX TWO
WEDS 4 FEBRUARY 2009
1430 hours
Registered Blind - guide dog Mrs Dudley Contact of Cllr Phil Wheeler, CEC
Registered Blind - guide dog Mr Dudley As above
Wheelchair (motorised) user Ms Dudley As above
WEDS 1 APRIL 2009
1100 hours Secretary, Scottish Accessible Transport Mr Alan Rees Alliance
Accompanied by Mr and Mrs Cross