Parking Concerns for Kansans’ with Disabilities

Glen White, Ph.D., Alice Zhang, M.Ed., M.A., and Kelsey Shinnick, B.A.

Research and Training Center on Independent Living, The University of Kansas

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Contextual Landscape•Baby boomers are aging into disability•People with disabilities are living longer•Finding useable accessible parking is very

important to community participation•There is little attention given to the issue of

accessible parking (research, policy and practice).•Our Center has been interested in this area since

1988 when we conducted two studies on reducing parking violations in “handicapped parking spaces” •We have new research to share with you

today

Parking Equity: Encouraging Reservation of Spaces with Access

Aisles for Lift-Van users

Alice Zhang, M.Ed., M.A. and Glen White, Ph.D.Research and Training Center on Independent

Living, The University of Kansas

Funding source: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education (grant number H133B110006).

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Terms

•NRLEV: non ramp- or lift- equipped vehicle •RLEV: ramp- or lift- equipped vehicle

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Introduction The configuration of accessible parking spaces

IntroductionThe importance of accessible parking:• Independent living and community

participation (Mann, McCarthy, Wu, & Tomita, 2005; WHO, 2001)• Legislation and regulations: Americans With

Disabilities Act (ADA), Americans With Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) (2004) and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible

Previous studies on violation of accessible parking spaces• Ground signs plus the vertical signs and message

sign containing the social sanction had the best intervention effect

Introduction•A newly-emerging problem: Designated van accessible parking spaces are taken by NRLEV users with accessible parking permitsoRLEV users’ frustration when encountering designated van accessible parking spots occupied by NRLEV with an accessible parking placard, parked next to an unoccupied standard accessible parking spot (Zielinski, 2010; Vogel, 2012).

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Introduction•Aging baby boomersoThe older population (65+) numbered 43.1 million in

2012, an increase of 7.6 million or 21% since 2002.

oAbout one in every seven, or 13.7%, of the population is an older American.65+ in 2002

65+ in 2012

0 20000000 40000000 60000000

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Introduction•The increasing population of RLEV users•According to a sales manager of an accessible

van cooperation, the accessible van sales data of his company covering 6 Midwest states increased by 54.34% from 2012 to 2014.

2012

2014

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400Number of accessible van sold

Introduction•Research questionsoAre designated van accessible parking spaces

being taken by NRLEV users a problem of social significance to RLEV users?

oDoes a more effective van accessible parking sign reduce the number of NRLEVs that park in designated van accessible parking spaces?

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Method

•Mixed methods approach

oQualitative: focus group and brief interviews

oQuantitative: single subject design

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Study 1 Qualitative Study: Focus Group

•Demographic information o12 participants, 6 males.

oTen were people with disabilities and 2 were caregivers who drove for people with disabilities, aged from 31 to 69 years.

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Study 1 Qualitative Study: Focus GroupResults•Focus group analysis: 4 major categories and 14

subcategoriesoReasons for NRLEV users taking the designated

van accessible parking spaces

oIneffectiveness of the sign

oAvailability and closeness to the entrance

oIgnorance or lack of understanding13

The fact is that I don’t see it very often making a difference. I don’t think it’s effective at all. It’s worded van accessible. So like

you said, the wording may make a difference. Not necessarily every time, but I think the sign doesn’t make much difference. (Jack)

I would often take it because it was available and it would be closer to the door. (Ray)

They were parking at the handicapped parking. And she has a minivan. And my niece said, grandma, what are you doing? And she said, well, it is a handicapped van spot. And they

said that’s not what they mean. (Becky)

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Non Examples of appropriate parking

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Non Examples, Cont.

Study 1 Qualitative Study: Brief Interviews•Participants: Ten NRLEV users who parked in the

designated van accessible parking space with official tags or license plates. • Interview question example: Do you think a “van”

should be ramp or lift equipped to park in the “van accessible” space?” •Responses:

oFour participants stated that it was unnecessary that the van should be ramp or lift equipped to park in the van accessible space. Three participants said yes, but one participant added that she would park there if no other spaces were available.

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Summary of the qualitative study•Validated the social importance of the research

problem and the appropriateness of the intervention procedure of Study 2•Multiple variables contributed to the research

problem ono history of consequences of NRLEV users taking

the designated van parking space, oconfusion with the designated van accessible

parking sign, oconfiguration of the accessible parking spaces, etc.

•One possible solution: revision of the designated van accessible parking sign17

Study 2 Experimental Study

Method•Participants oNRLEV and RLEV users who parked in the two

observed accessible parking spaces at observation sites A and B.

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Study 2 Experimental StudyMethod•Settings

19Store A Store B

Regular accessible

parking space

Designated van accessible parking space

Designated van accessible parking space

Regular accessible

parking space

Study 2 Experimental Study

Method•Observation and measurementoFour undergraduate students and the researchers

served as observers oOff site and onsite training oInter-observer reliability oApril to July of 2014, Monday through Sunday

between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and between 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. oEach observation interval lasted for an hour, and

two consecutive sessions could be conducted with a half hour break in between them

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Study 2 Experimental StudyMethod•Observation and measurementoThe observers sat in a parked vehicle that allowed

a clear view of the to-be-observed areas several parking spaces away. oOr, the observers were in an unobtrusive location

near the front of the store about 15-20 meters from the observed spot. oObservers went to the target spaces when

necessary to determine if a vehicle had an accessible parking tag or license plate after the driver had entered the store.

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Study 2 Experimental StudyMethod•Dependent variableoThe percentage of deterrence of NRLEV: the

number of NRLEV drivers who intended to park in the designated van accessible space but withdrew and parked elsewhere when saw the intervention signs, divided by the total vehicles that parked or intended to park in the designated van accessible space per session.

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Study 2 Experimental Study

Method

Figure 1. Current accessible parking signs23

Study 2 Experimental Study

Method

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Figure 2. Intervention Signs

Study 2 Experimental StudyMethod•Experimental DesignoA multi-component analysis to compare the effects

of the intervention signsoA reversal design to test and validate the most

effective intervention effectsoFollow up: observations were conducted five

weeks later at store A and four weeks later at store B to check for durability of the intervention effects over time

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Study 2 Experimental Study• Deterrence Results

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Summary of the Quantitative Study

•The signage interventions had small to moderate effects in deterring NRLEV users parking in the designated van accessible parking spaces

•The courteous sign was most effective at store A and the warning sign was most effective at store B.

DiscussionLessons Learned

•The current research identifies concerns for RLEV users, especially since RLEV users has been increasing each year.

•The signage intervention provided a moderate effect in reducing the occurrences of NRLEV parking in designated van accessible parking spaces and in increasing the opportunity for RLEV users to park.

•Factors contributing to the current problem may include: no history of consequences for NRLEV drivers parking in the designated van accessible spaces, and lack of awareness, etc.

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Examining the Effects of Multiple Interventions to Deter Access

Aisle Parking Violations

Kelsey Shinnick, B.A. & Glen W. White, Ph.D. Department of Applied Behavioral Science

Research and Training Center on Independent Living at The University of Kansas

Funded by a research grant from the General Electric Company (GE) under the aegis of the Dole Institute of Politics’ 2015 “Commemorate ADA” initiative (grant # 2930000-725)

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Access Aisle Parking Violation

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ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design

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Width Regulations

OR

Background•Regulatory markings not specified•Stone (2007)•69% were deficient in access aisle designation•Only 8% had “No Parking in Access Aisle” signs

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Study Purpose

•The purpose of the present study is to deter the number of parking violations in which drivers park on top of or encroach upon the area designated by the access aisle.

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Method

•Qualitative: Focus Group•Goal: To gain insight regarding the frequency

and severity of access aisle parking violations.

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Sample Focus Group Statements• “People don’t realize that just being in the space ‘a

foot or two’ is a problem for people that use lifts or ramps… a lot of people just don’t think about it, they don’t understand that all of the space is needed, or they don’t care.” (Patricia)• “If I see a vehicle parked over the access aisle before

I park, it becomes a case where I can’t park in that spot anymore and I have to find another spot or go home.” (Carl) •A few participants suggested that it may be helpful to

include information about the access aisles with “the driver’s instruction manual” or “with the accessible placard or license itself.”

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Method

•Quantitative: Empirical investigation

•Goal: Test the effects of multiple interventions to reduce access aisle parking violations.

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Interventions

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Anticipated Outcomes

• Increase attention given to access aisles by potential violators

•Decrease access aisle parking violations

• Increase community participation of individuals with disabilities

Policy Discussion

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Policy Considerations and Discussion•Revise policies to clearly differentiate between regular accessible parking spaces and van designated van accessible parking spaces•What is the actual function of the designated van

space right now? Is it effective?

•Work with Department of Revenue to conduct a through review of their polices on issuing accessible parking permits, renewal criteria, and provision of information about the use of accessible parking spaces (regular and van designated).

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Policy Considerations and Discussion•Work with the Department of Motor Vehicles to

review their drivers tests; and incorporate text/graphics related to proper accessible parking. •Conduct an public awareness campaign with the

disability community concerning the rationale and usage of the designated van accessible parking space. •Apply lessons learned and policies implemented in

conversations with the US Access Board.

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Further Questions?

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Contacts

Glen W. White, Ph.D, DirectorGlen@ku.eduAlice Zhang, M.A., Graduate Research AssistantAlicezhang@ku.eduKelsey Shinnick, B.A., Graduate Research Assistantkelsey.shinnick@ku.edu

Research and Training Center on Independent Livingwww.RTCIL.org

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Van Accessible Parking (NV) Non van When a designated van accessible space is occupied by a non -

ramp/lift vehicle.

(V) Van parking When a designated van accessible space is occupied by a ramp/lift van.

Regular ADA Parking Space (O) Occupied The regular ADA space is occupied.

Both of Van Accessible and Regular ADA Parking Space (---) Available The van identified space or the regular ADA space is available. (N) Not available When the van identified space or the regular ADA space is

occupied by objects other than vehicles and is not available for parking (e.g., shopping cart)

(I) Illegal parking When a van identified or regular ADA space is occupied by a vehicle without a displayed access permit/license.

(×) New vehicle When a van identified or regular ADA space is occupied by a different vehicle

Diagonal D(Diagonal parking)

The vehicle parks over the diagonal lines painted on ramp accessible aisles.

(N) Not available When the diagonal line area (access aisle) is occupied by any objects (e.g., shopping carts, vehicles).

Note: 1. All spaces are accessible. 2. Parking space = space

Date: Observer: Location: Time start: Time stop: Condition: Session number:

Time

(minute) Van Accessible Space

Diagonal Regular ADA Space

Time (minute)

Van Accessible Space

Diagonal Regular ADA Space

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