‘SOFT’ FACTORS THAT

AFFECT ACCESSIBILITY

Kit Mitchell

All over the world, accessible

infrastructure and vehicles are

being introduced

Footway, Malaysia

Light controlled crossing with ramps

Ramp access to BRT – Quito, Equador

G. Menckhoff, World Bank

Low floor bus, Malaysia

Airport Express, Malaysia

Delhi Metro

But these technical

improvements do not always

bring real improvements in

accessibility, in either

developed or developing

countries

WHY NOT?

ACCESSIBILITY requires

KNOWLEDGE Information for users

FINANCE Money for fares

CAPABILITY Accessible infrastructure

Accessible vehicles

Accessible information

Trained personnel

Policies for accessibility

CONFIDENCE Reliability

Above all, accessibility

needs providers to make the

passenger the top priority

When we see things that reduce

accessibility, it is not because

people are stupid, or do not care.

It is because accessibility is not

their top priority, or because they

lack knowledge or understanding.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

MANAGEMENT POLICIES

ROAD USER BEHAVIOUR

BUREAUCRACY

STAFF TRAINING

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES (formal)

- Provide excellent service that

satisfies passenger needs

- Reliable and safe operation

- Profitable, financially responsible

- Satisfies local government aims

- Environmentally responsible

- Secure careers for staff

MANAGEMENT MOTIVATION

(other than formal objectives)

- Short term reduction of cost

- Lack of funds for investment

- Staff convenience, easy life

- Management convenience

- Prestige, press coverage

- Response to political pressure

Examples of consequences

Rules excluding disabled passengers ‘For their safety in the event of an emergency’

Provision of token services that have no real value

Failing to provide information in several forms or at all

ROAD USER BEHAVIOUR

- Illegal use of reserved parking for people with disabilities

- Pavement parking

- Blocking bus stops

- Riding motorcycles or bicycles on footways

The road is easier than the sidewalk

Pavement parking Viet Nam

Footway and ramp blocked by parked vehicles

Lack of enforcement

Wheelchair forced to use road

Why do the police allow this

behaviour?

Many reasons, but an important

factor is that they are not

supported by the local politicians.

We have to show economic or

political benefits of enforcement.

BUREAUCRACY

No time to inspect condition of

footways, so poor maintenance.

Do not have knowledge to

enforce technical standards.

Lack of continuity where contract

ended or ownership changes.

Poor maintenance

Kerb ramp less than 70 cm wide

Ramp blocked by flowerpot

Lack of continuity of accessible footway at end of footway improvement contract

Pedestrian access to accessible light rail Footpath stops at the property boundary

STAFF TRAINING

Staff with the right attitude and

training are the biggest single

contributor to accessibility

- Desire to help passengers

- Disability awareness and skills

- Communication skills

Disability awareness training

should start with the most senior

managers as they set the culture

of the organisation

Frontline staff need training to

communicate with people with

sensory impairments (hearing,

speech, vision)

Operating staff need to

understand what causes

problems for passengers

As an example, bus drivers

need to stop close to the kerb

Failing to stop close to the kerb

Failing to stop close to the kerb

- Stops are often blocked by parked vehicles;

- Stops have railings that prevent passengers boarding and alighting;

- Geometry of stops in laybys makes it impossible for drivers to get close;

- Bus stop shelter roofs overhang kerb.

The reasons bus drivers stop away from the kerb are:

Making transport easy for people

with disabilities to use makes it

easier for everybody.

Information for those with sensory

impairments helps strangers and

those who do not speak the local

language.

Inclusive design and operation helps everyone

A pathway for all

Easier and safer pedestrian

infrastructure means tourists will

not be deterred from visiting and

spending money.

Cruise ship passengers cross a busy

road between the harbour and town

Providing accessible infrastructure and vehicles is relatively easy. Managerial, organisational and staff motivation problems are

much more difficult

I believe this is increasingly the main challenge we face

Failing to stop close to the kerb

Cycling through a bus boarding line

Cycling through a bus boarding line

Issues for taxi drivers

‘I can’t see a passenger in a wheelchair hailing me’

‘It hurts my back to push a wheelchair up the ramp’

‘Health and Safety means I can’t handle special equipment’

Training helps skill and motivation

Motorcycle following a blind pedestrian

Parking at bus stops

Accessible metro or BRT surrounded

by inaccessible pedestrian routes

Kerb ramp blocked by incense burner

Pedestrian colonnades blocked