public transport: accessible and...
TRANSCRIPT
Public Transport: Accessible and Inclusive
Anjlee Agarwal
Executive Director & Access Consultant
National Centre for Accessible Environments,
New Delhi, India
UMI 2012, India
About Samarthyam
• It is a Civil Society and Research Organization
• We aim to improve access in environment through: Access and WalkAbility Audits,
Research,
Capacity Building Trainings
Design solutions
o Co-author of IRC 103:2012, Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities, CPWD Space Standards for disabled & elderly 1998 and UTTIPEC Street Design Guidelines
Access in Transit Infrastructure Travel a daily necessity
Obstacles in existing transportation systems • induce fatigue • restrict educational & employment opportunities • cause frustration
Hinders right to • freedom of movement • equal participation • access to health & other social services
Aging Population - India
India Population: 1.13 billion
60 years+ (2006) 20% 226.0m
60 years+ (2050) 32% 361.6m
(Source: Global Action on Aging 2006)
ALL PEOPLE : WHY INCLUSION ?
• India has the largest number of disabled people in the world.
• Same as the entire population of the UK.
• Most commonly accepted figure in India is 15% of total population or 150 million people with disabilities.
People with Disabilities - India
Laws, Codes & Guidelines
• The Persons with Disability Act, 1995
• United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2008
• IRC 103: 2012, Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities
• CPWD Barrier Free Space standards for Elderly and Disabled, 1998 (amendment underway with MoUD)
Transit Disadvantaged Persons
Persons with Disabilities
and
Persons with reduced mobility
are not able to use public transport
due to
inaccessible features
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
1st Public Transportation System in India to be designed with a holistic approach towards universal accessibility
Delhi Metro & Accessibility
DMRC included the access needs of persons with disabilities and elderly
during the planning stage
with the help of Samarthyam, to promote universal access
Steps Taken
Plan for Diversity of Users
Focus on safe, comfortable & equitable infrastructure for
• Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
• Persons with Reduced Mobility
Steps Taken
Access Audits (2002)
• During construction of Welcome station with DMRC engineers & architects in March
• 1st stretch-8.3km with 4 Coaches & 6 Stations, inaugurated on 24th Dec 2002
DMRC response
• DMRC is committed to making the Metro fully
accessible
• Receptive to constructive feedback
• Regularly access audits are conducted at stations by Samarthyam
• Elicits feedback and studies its successes & deficiencies
Accessible Features
Stations • designated parking
for PwDs
• ramps with hand rails
• Wayfinding signage
Accessible Features Stations
• guiding & warning paving for persons with vision impairment
• bright colour contrast for low vision persons
- Signage at eye level - Lowered control panel - Wide door - Grab bars inside lift - Rear view Mirror - Audio Announcement -Time adjustable door closing mechanism - Power backup
Accessible Features
Accessible Features Stations and coaches
• resting areas for persons with reduced mobility- pregnant women, senior citizens and PwDs
Accessible Features Stations
• Bilingual large lettering and information displays and signage
• Lifts with low control panel, Braille & raised buttons
• Auditory signals • Wide doors
Accessible Features Coaches
• Designated coach for wheelchair passengers
• Sensory door closing mechanisms
• Audio announcement with dynamic display
Accessible Features Coaches
• Designated spaces for wheelchair passengers with access symbol
• Wide aisle for barrier free movement to other coaches
Accessible Features
• Metro Sahayaks (helpers)
present at stations to provide assistance
• Wheelchairs available on request
Later Developments
Samarthyam provided inputs for further
improvements:
• lowered ticket counter height/single window facility
• distinct sound for orienting persons with vision impairment
• transit ramp to bridge horizontal and vertical gap between the coach and platform
• accessible toilets (outside the stations) to be modified
Inclusive and Universal Design
Leads to
• more passenger inflow
• less travel time
• added revenue generation for the service providers
• reliability, affordability and comfort attract more people
• integration of PwDs into mainstream society with more opportunities
Benefits
Delhi Metro’s challenges and success are being highlighted, the drawbacks and limitations worked upon for better accessibility
The biggest success = Advocacy and Awareness
rationale for access is no longer required for public agencies, it is now a given
Upcoming Metro Project
Hyderabad Metro Rail Project
• Samarthyam is partnering with Hyderabad Metro
for capacity building workshops for the design
team and engineers to make the system
universally accessible
Inauguration, 25-11-2012
• Accessible street infrastructure- Seamless journey
• Feeder services to be accessible-last mile connectivity
• Cooperation & Coordination between the user groups and implementing agencies during the
policy formulation and execution, the best approach in achieving the desired objective of
“Mobility for All”
MRTS in India –way forward