Accessibility to public transport: a best practice guide October 2010 C. O’Fallon Pinnacle Research & Policy Ltd, Wellington Accessibility to public transport: a best practice guide Contents B1 Introduction to the best practice guide ..................................................................................... 4 B1.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................4 B1.2 Definitions .................................................................................................................4 B1.2.1 Users ...............................................................................................................4 B1.2.2 Modes, services and routes covered .............................................................5 B1.2.3 Source of best practice factors ......................................................................5 B1.3 Structure of the guide ...............................................................................................5 B2 Getting to the service by self ......................................................................................................... 5 B2.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................5 B2.2 Footpath ....................................................................................................................6 B2.2.1 Changes in surface level of accessible footpath...........................................6 B2.2.2 Measuring slope/gradient.............................................................................. 8 B2.3 Pedestrian facilities ...................................................................................................8 B2.4 Kerb cut and ramps...................................................................................................8 B2.5 Tactile ground surface indicators.............................................................................9 B3 Getting to the service by car ........................................................................................................10 B4 Waiting for service – bus stop......................................................................................................11 B4.1 Landing and kerb ....................................................................................................12 B4.2 Bus shelter and seating...........................................................................................14 B4.3 Bus stop signs and service information .................................................................15 B4.4 Lighting....................................................................................................................17 B5 Waiting for service – station .........................................................................................................17 B5.1 Entrance and doorways to the station....................................................................17 B5.2 Ramps ......................................................................................................................18 B5.3 Steps and staircases................................................................................................19 B5.4 Handrails..................................................................................................................20 B5.5 Lifts ..........................................................................................................................20 B5.6 Platform ...................................................................................................................20 B5.7 Ticketing..................................................................................................................21 B5.8 International sign of access....................................................................................22 B5.9 Signage for service and other information ............................................................23 B5.10 Safety and security ..................................................................................................23 B6 Being on board – bus .......................................................................................................................23 B6.1 The effect of vehicle type on the accessible journey.............................................24 B6.2 Provisions for wheelchairs ......................................................................................25 B6.3 Hand holds into/on bus..........................................................................................25 B6.4 Staff training............................................................................................................25 B7 Being on board – train.....................................................................................................................26 B7.1 Priority seating ........................................................................................................26 B7.2 Provisions for wheelchairs ......................................................................................26 B7.3 Access to the train carriage ....................................................................................26 2 Accessibility to public transport: a best practice guide B7.3.1 General..........................................................................................................26 B7.4 Horizontal and vertical gaps, ramps and steps .....................................................27 B7.5 Aisles........................................................................................................................27 B7.6 ‘Hand holds’ into/on train carriage........................................................................28 B7.7 Signs on and in carriages........................................................................................28 B7.8 On-board information .............................................................................................28 B7.9 Staff training............................................................................................................28 B8 Service coverage................................................................................................................................28 B8.1 Service area and availability....................................................................................28 B8.2 Services information ...............................................................................................29 B8.3 Cleanliness and graffiti ...........................................................................................30 B9 References............................................................................................................................................30 Annex A: Source of public transport accessibility factors ............................................................32 3 Accessibility to public transport: a best practice guide B1 Introduction to the best practice guide B1.1 Overview This document is intended to provide regional councils and others with information about the ‘factors’ that contribute to making a public transport journey accessible to any or all categories of public transport user (as defined in section B1.2.1 below). This best practice guide has been developed in conjunction with a PT accessibility audit and report card (see appendix A). The methodology used takes a ‘whole-of-journey’ approach. Hence, the ‘barriers to access’ audited include factors affecting: • service coverage (service availability, frequency, span, area and information) • accessible routes to stops/stations • bus stops (including shelters where available) • bus or rail stations • accessible parking facilities • passenger service vehicles and carriages. The audit excludes ‘affordability’ for users as being too complex to be addressed within this project.1 When the audit is complete, a report card rating accessibility (no barriers, slight barriers present, moderate barriers present, severe barriers present) for each user category is made. B1.2 Definitions B1.2.1 Users Six broad categories of users have been identified, ranging from ‘able users’ (essentially people with no disability) through to ‘wheelchair users’ (people who possibly experience the greatest difficulty accessing public transport). Table B1 provides a description of the user categories. Table B1 Categories of people with disabilities Able users Regular, occasional and new PT users with no disabilities Wheelchair users People who are injured or disabled and use a wheelchair for moving from place to place. Physical limitations People with ambulatory/physical disabilities, whether temporary or long term (eg pregnant women, elderly people, people on crutches or with a cane; people with babies/small children in pushchairs; people with poor dexterity or little strength) Comprehension People with mental/cognitive disabilities, as well as those with language difficulties (eg ethnic minorities and new immigrants) Visual People with sight impairments Auditory People with hearing impairments 1 For a discussion about the decision to exclude affordability, refer to the full project report. 4 Accessibility to public transport: a best practice guide B1.2.2 Modes, services and routes covered The focus is on accessibility to the regional council scheduled bus network and ‘large bus’ vehicles 2 and regional council scheduled rail network and