Because railway networks are widely developed in Europe, facilitating access to disabled passengers is a pressing issue. Steps and gaps at the entrance doors are barriers to people in wheelchairs and to people with walking difficulties. Because of the difference between platform and car floor heights, level access is not available, and boarding aid devices are necessary for disabled passengers to bridge steps or gaps. A literature survey is presented, the practices of European railways are discussed, and relevant factors for choosing the most appropriate and convenient devices for boarding and alighting train cars are analyzed. Recommendations are suggested for near-term enhancements.
Low-floor vehicle design improves the accessibility of urban buses to people with reduced mobility. In France, on the basis of the experience gained from low-floor tramways, a system approach soon appeared necessary and the low-floor bus within the urban environment was considered. Described are the results of the research and development project initiated by the Grenoble network to reach efficient guidance solutions that would ensure minimal gaps at bus stops. Operating conditions of accessibility equipment on the vehicle (kneeling, access ramp) as well as driver capability to dock at the bus stop have been investigated. From the results, an improved bus stop was designed and two prototype systems—GIBUS visual aid and VISÉE guidance system—were conceived and tested. Evaluation of these during operation on a bus route in the city of Grenoble concentrated on assessing system performance and human factors so that recommendations could be drawn before implementation.
In France, as in other European countries, towns and cities have committed to reducing the negative effects of automobile traffic---accidents and air pollution---either by regulation or voluntarily in order to improve their inhabitants' quality of life. Creating urban transport plans (PDUs) involves favoring non-automotive travel modes---walking and cycling---as well as public transport. Investment choices and planning of corresponding facilities are an excellent opportunity for improving accessibility to the town and public transport for disabled people and those with reduced mobility. The French law of February 11, 2005 “for equality of rights and chances, participation and citizenship of disabled people” included an obligation for PDUs to include an accessibility appendix whenever they are created, changed or revised. After a short review of the new regulatory obligations for authorities responsible for public transport and cities, this paper examines how PDUs approved since 1997 have dealt with the issue of accessibility for pedestrians and users of public transport. Two examples are analyzed. The first is the PDU for the town of Mulhouse, the actual decisions made concerning highways and public transports and the lessons learned by following indications and the difficulties encountered in involving local authorities responsible for accessibility modifications. The second example is the experience of Valenciennes in creating a street accessibility plan that will form part of the revision of the PDU. These examples highlight the institutional difficulties encountered and suggest methodological elements to facilitate cooperation between the various partners concerned and agreements with disabled people’s associations.
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