ACCESSability

Page 1

ACCESSability:

survey findings:

case study:

overcoming infrastructural barriers to accessible transit

152 RESPONSES from

35 STATES

background:

TRI

532 square miles

MAJOR BARRIERS TO ACCESSING TRANSIT STOPS AND/OR STATIONS IN AGENCY SERVICE AREAS

Lack of Sidewalks Broken or Cracked Sidewalks Barriers on Sidewalks Lack of Curb Cuts or Ramps Unsignalized Street Crossings

Despite legal measures and compliance efforts from transit agencies, barriers to using public transport still exist for persons with disabilities in the United States.

Infrastructure issues in proximity to transit stops have created major obstacles to accessibility including cracked or uneven sidewalks, lack of curb cuts, unsafe street crossings, and poor street lighting.

Lack of Bus Shelters/Shade Lack of Signage Inadequate Lighting Lack of Elevators/Escalators Insufficient Maintenance Other 0

20

40

60

80

100

120

3.

COMMUTER RAIL

3 DMU’s & 1 trailer 5 stations

PARATRANSIT

253 LIFT buses 15 LIFT vans

design + policy guidelines:

I aggregated my findings and create general “lessons learned” or “design guidelines” for creating accessible bus stops that could potentially be replicated throughout the United States.

25 12 9

10

5

5

6

65%

cr ea ac se ce d In ss fr / as co tru m pl ct ia ur nc al e im pr ov C em us en to ts m er Im Sa pr tis ov fa ed ct io sa n fe ty /a w Fi ar na en nc es ia s lc om pe Im ns pr at ov io n ed co or di na tio n

Resistance from Public Other

coordinated transportation plan • for elderly and disabled

This plan establishes a series of programming and financial strategies to encourage the use of fixed route transit, enhance pedestrian access, and improve program outreach.

• pedestrian network analysis

Using available regional data, TriMet located 66 clusters of stops as high need/high opportunity areas and chose 10 focus areas by which to start their improvements.

• bus stop improvement program

Improving sidewalk access, placing 500 bus shelters, installing solar LED lighting, and upgrading bus stop signs and poles has led to a decrease in paratransit usage

• paratransit eligibility assessment

In-person physical evaluations have led to a reduction in new paratransit applicants, increased assessment accuracy, and annual cost savings of more that $900,000.

1.

advocate:

2.

communicate:

3.

innovate:

5

in

Financial Barriers Bureaucratic Barriers

20%

OVERALL STRATEGY RESULTS

0

4% 11%

ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMS

lessons learned:

23

s

An interview was conducted of the transit agency manager to better understand unique insights into the agency’s program. Additionally, a field visit was performed as a means of exploring the interventions and experiencing them, first hand.

1.5 million

20

ha

case study analysis:

total population:

pr ov ed

0 60 AGENCIES

25

Im

A ten-question online survey was distributed to approximately 600 transit agencies across the country in order to identify existing barriers to transit and response measures. The cases that best met most of the established criteria/ ingredients of success were selected for detailed analysis.

FREQUENCY (NUMBER OF AGENCIES)

case study selection:

NOTABLE SUCCESSES THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM IMPLEMENTED MEASURES AD A

2.

LIGHT RAIL

4 MAX lines 87 stations

29

30

hi p

methodology:

74%

of respondents claimed to have taken action to address physical barriers.

rid er s

This case study identifies successful strategies that are employed by transit agencies for overcoming infrastructure barriers impeding access to transit stops for disabled persons and provides policy and design guidelines that can be applied at a wider scale.

1.

79 bus lines 6,742 bus stops

140

FREQUENCY (NUMBER OF AGENCIES)

MET

BUS

service area:

! Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, it is mandatory for all transit agencies to provide fully accessible facilities and services.

d, oreg tlan on r o p

transit system at-a-glance

REMAINING OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING INFRASTRUCTURE BARRIERS

Improved infrastructure and accessible public spaces do not only directly benefit transit users with disabilities, they improve the health and livelihood of us all.

Involve all stakeholders from the beginning and ensure that clear and frequent lines of communication are maintained along the way.

Stay updated in terms of latest data analysis tools and creative methods of utilizing “green” materials. They can increase efficiency and save money in the long term.

Carla P. Salehian

csalehian@gmail.com Thesis Advisor: Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris


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