Get moving

Better access to public transport

Encouraging greater access to transport, including public transport, can transform the lives of disabled people. Improved mobility is crucial to alleviating poverty throughout the developing world as it allows people with disabilities to play an active role in society both economically and socially.

Transport Research Laboratories (TRL) Limited in the UK, along with partners in India, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa undertook a three-year research project aimed at improving access to transport thus reducing mobility barriers for disabled people in developing and transition countries. Although basic problems faced by disabled travellers are similar worldwide, solutions cannot be transplanted from developed to developing countries, as priorities, resources and operating conditions are vastly different.

Enhancing the mobility of disabled people: Guidelines for Practitioners was published as a result of the research. It provides an introduction to disability and transport issues, advice on how to set up a programme for improving access and guidelines for good access practice. Projects that informed the Guidelines represented a range of options appropriate to local constraints and were implemented by local partners. Examples include:

• widening entrances, increasing the height of benches, providing large print route information signs and removing barriers in or near bus shelters in Pune
• installing traffic signals to give pedestrians absolute priority, including a push button-activated signal with a beeping sound installed to maximise use to vision-impaired pedestrians in Blantyre
• clear pavement markings and warning signs to motorists in Maputo
• the installation of pavement ramps for wheelchair users at formal road crossings
• paving heavily used footpaths, installing guidance markings along paths, and painting pathways to mark out spaces used exclusively by pedestrians.

Improving footpaths and pavements should be a priority as walking is the major mode of transport for many poor people. Some of the more expensive interventions, such as improving buses, are meaningless unless people can get to the bus. Simple improvements can be extremely effective:

• In Maputo, after safety and access at formal crossings were improved with clearer markings and kerb ramps, the percentage of disabled and older pedestrians using them rather than crossing just anywhere increased from 13 to 73 percent.
• Passenger surveys showed a higher usage of bus shelters and higher levels of comfort after changes were made in Pune.
• In terms of information adequacy and clarity, 50 percent of users surveyed found the information provided at bus stands after the demonstration project had been implemented to be 'very clear' compared to just 4 percent before.
• Information boards were particularly helpful to hearing impaired passengers who valued the independence it gave them.

The Guidelines for Practitioners are a practical, useful resource for policy makers, transport planners, operators, engineers, disabled people themselves and groups representing the interests of disabled people. The publication recommends:

• Infrastructure ought to be constructed according to universal or inclusive design principles, so that they are easy to use and accessible to everyone, whether disabled or not.
• Projects should meet the four elements of SARA namely:
  Safety, Accessibility, Reliability, Affordability.
• All aspects of an entire trip should be considered, from pre-journey planning to arrival at destination. Disabled people need to know that they will be able to complete their entire journey with confidence.
• Disability awareness training can help overcome the lack of awareness among people working in the transport sector, including bus crews and inspectors, managers and policy makers.

Jo Sentinella and Dave Maunder
TRL Limited
Crowthorne House
Nine Mile Ride
Wokingham
Berkshire RG40 3GA
UK
T+44 (0) 1344 773131
F+44 (0) 1344 770880
dmaunder@trl.co.uk

See also

Enhancing the mobility of disabled people: guidelines for practitioners by CJ Venter, J Sentinella, T Rickert, D Maunder and A Venkatesh, Overseas Road Note 21, TRL Limited, 2004 Download (PDF)

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