Universal design regarding accessibility to public transport is fundamental to increase the independence of the elderly and people with disabilities. This can be achieved by developing pedestrian infrastructures that provide safe/secure spaces for walking, modal interfaces and transport waiting areas. Tactile paving surfaces have been implemented to guide and inform people with visual impairments about the infrastructure they are using, which increase their autonomy, mobility, confidence, and safety. This research aims to analyse the perspective of elderly tourists regarding tactile pavements. A questionnaire was developed for senior tourists (60+ years old) about their mobility and perceptions of bus stop environments in the countries where they reside. Findings indicate a decrease in the perceived importance of tactile pavement in elderly tourists (aged 80+), female tourists, and older tourists with disabilities. The use of tactile paving surfaces is essential; however, it is important to minimize any adverse impact or discomfort of these surfaces. Warnings on pavements and guide patterns should be constructed of truncated cones and flat-topped elongated bars, respectively, and the height of the pavement cannot be greater than 4 mm. Installations must have correct/simple configurations and be regularly maintained. Findings will influence the design of an age-friendly bus stop.
Sustainable mobility demands an integrated approach covering all modes of transport in a built environment designed for everyone. Social inclusion strategies required the improvement of transportation for people with reduced mobility. Universal accessibility has been incorporated into urban renovation processes, settlement, housing and transportation. Assessments have been made in measuring the performance of spatial indicators and usually consider technical parameters and/or user perception. In the context of accessible tourism, infrastructures and services have been adapted to be inclusive for all. Accessible built environments are required hence urban spaces, buildings, transport vehicles, information technology & communication, and services must bear in mind the approach of Age Sensitive Design. The research project Accessibility for All in Tourism focuses on bus stops designed to be age-friendly and inclusive. A questionnaire was developed for the elderly tourist aged 60+ about their perceptions of bus stop environments in their countries. Findings indicate that elderly tourists with disabilities are more critical of the existing accessibility conditions, and have a greater perception of the inclusive characteristics of bus stops. Furthermore, although older people take barrier-free spaces into account, there is some criticism around pedestrian crossings, bench design and the lack of room for wheelchair users.
The present work is part of the Project for Scientific Research and Technological Development "Accessibility for All in Tourism", focusing on modal interfaces designed according to the concepts of "Universal Design" and "Age Sensitive Design". In this project 851 surveys were carried out on elderly tourists who travelled in the Algarve (Portugal) through the international Airport of Faro, in 2018, with a view to understanding their use of means of transport in their daily life. It characterizes the senior tourist in the Algarve according to: gender, age, disabilities that affect mobility and the need to use technical aids to move. It analyses and compares the means of transportation used by elderly tourists with and without disabilities. Findings demonstrate that elderly people with disabilities walk less on foot daily and several times a week and the majority of the respondents with disabilities claim to never using the bus, train and tram/metro. Respondents concede to having specific limitations in the use of some public transport. Older people with disabilities behave differently than other older people with regard to the choice and frequency of a particular means of transport.
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