barriers to use of fixed route transit services janet m. barlow certified orientation and mobility...

Barriers to Use of Fixed Route Transit Services

Janet M. BarlowCertified Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Accessible Design for the Blind

NCAMPO conferenceAsheville NCMay 3, 2012

Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide

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Why might we want people to use fixed route transit rather than

specialized services?

Why might individuals prefer to use fixed route rather than specialized

services?

Older pedestrians

62 million age 65 or older by 2025Crash involvement rates lower than other age groups which may be due to individuals limiting risk (not going out at night, not crossing at some locations)More vulnerable to serious injury or death


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Older pedestrians

Possible issues:Decreased contrast sensitivity or visual acuity, reduced peripheral vision, and reduced “useful field of view” Adapt more slowly to changing lightingMove more slowlyPoor hearingDifficulty judging the speed and distance of vehicles


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Mobility Disabilities


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Vision disabilities


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Cognitive disabilities, hearing disabilities or multiple disabilities

Developmental disabilityStrokeHead injuryDeaf or hard of hearingCombination of one of above with vision or mobility disability


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Statistics on pedestrians with disabilities

49 million Americans with disabilities (1992) Prevalence expected to increase with aging populationMany are unable to drive and are dependent on transit and pedestrian facilitiesCrash statistics are generally unavailable


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What are barriers to use of fixed route transit for pedestrians who are seniors, blind or visually impaired, or who have

mobility disabilities?Lack of familiarity or experience with transit serviceInaccessible sidewalks, stops, or sheltersInaccessible or unusable street crossings


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Lack of familiarity or experience with transit service

Lack of understanding of transitDifficulty reading and understanding schedules and mapsConfusion about stop locations

Perception - fears about riding public transitUnsure how to ride and payIs there a lift (if needed)?Interaction with bus driversInteraction with other ridersPersonal safety concerns


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Potential solutions

Educational materialsReview and explanation of schedules and maps at senior centers and facilities serving individuals with disabilitiesIndividualized training and practice riding the system


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Inaccessible stops or shelters

No sidewalk or accessible path to the transit stopInadequate turning space/landing space in the path or shelterLong waits and limited or no information about when the bus will arrive


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When the sidewalk ends……Where do the pedestrians go?

Into the street


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Dirt path to the stop


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Bench but not accessible to a wheelchair user or someone with balance problems


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Solutions

Sidewalks on both sides of roadway where transit is providedCurb rampsAccessible bus stops


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Barriers

Inaccessible or unusable street crossingsNo curb rampsWide streets No marked crosswalk or pedestrian signals at signalized locationsNo crosswalk or inability to find a safe time to cross even where there is a crosswalk

Unusable Sidewalks and crossings


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Lack of curb ramp at crosswalk results in wheelchair user traveling in the vehicle travel lane, rather than on the sidewalk


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Wide crossings


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Some solutions

Marked crosswalksMedians and curb extensionsPedestrian signals

pushbuttons in accessible locations accessible pedestrian signals

Use of medians and islands and curb extensions to shorten crossing distance


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Accessible pedestrian signals

MUTCD 2009 requires new featuresSounds from pushbutton and speaker located at pushbutton locationsPushbutton locator toneTactile arrowAudible and vibrotactile walk indicationAutomatic volume adjustmentLocation beside the crosswalk being signaled


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Pushbutton-integrated APS

Pushbutton locator tone during FDW and DWRapid tick WALK indication

24Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012,

Slide


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Unsignalized crosswalks

Median islands and/or curb extensionsHigh visibility markingsRRFBPedestrian Hybrid Beacon


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Pedestrian facilities are needed on transit routes

SidewalksAccessible curb rampsCrosswalks Pedestrian signals, including accessible pedestrian signals, at signalized locationsCrosswalk enhancements on larger, higher volume roadways at unsignalized locations


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barriers to use of fixed route transit services janet m. barlow certified orientation and mobility...

Documents

unavailable accessible

system accessible design

death accessible design

accessible path

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