Public transport accessibility for wheelchair users: A perspective from macro-ergonomic design

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Considering the current experience of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) seeking to join the labor market as well as improve their quality of life, full accessibility is an important tool to enable their integration into society. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to identify ergonomics and accessibility issues faced by wheelchair users and persons with mobility alterations when using public transport, from a user perspective. METHODS: This was an observational, descriptive study, with a quantitative approach to data analysis and discussion. The study sample comprised 30 wheelchair-bound public transport users, and was drawn from the membership of LEME -Associação dos Lesados Medulares de Novo Hamburgo (Novo Hamburgo Spinal Injury Victims' Association). Data were collected by means of an open-ended interview, which guided questionnaire development, and direct field observations conducted during bus rides. RESULTS: Results indicate that the primary issues are the quality of services offered, particularly the schedule and number of accessible vehicles, and the lack of trained employees to aid wheelchair users. CONCLUSIONS: The paper also identifies issues related to accessibility and safety, both when accessing vehicles and during transportation.

Services, systems, and policies affecting mobility device users’ community mobility: A scoping review

“…Four studies investigated services, systems, and policy factors as an aspect of their aim (Almada & Renner, 2015; Poria, Reichel, & Brandt, 2010; Ripat, Brown, & Ethans, 2015; Wessels, De Witte, Jedeloo, van den Heuvel, & van den Heuvel, 2004). Poria et al (2010) conducted a qualitative study exploring disabled people’s flight experiences, Ripat et al (2015) completed an online survey identifying winter weather issues for wheelchair and scooter users, Almada and Renner (2015) undertook a mixed-methods study looking at ergonomics and accessibility issues when using public transport, and Wessels et al (2004) performed a quantitative study looking at barriers encountered by people with mobility impairments and solutions offered in the Netherlands. All the other studies ( n = 13) identified some services, systems, and policy factors’ influence on community mobility of MD users in their Findings section, but their objective was to study other aspects, such as participation, wheelchair use, or accessibility (see Table 2).…”

Public Transport in the Disabling City: A Narrative Ethnography of Dilemmas and Strategies of People with Mobility Disabilities

“…However, around the world, PMDs face environmental and social barriers to accessing and using public transport [19][20][21][22]. Accessibility of public transport for PMDs has been mainly documented from three mobility events: arriving at a bus station [4,[23][24][25], boarding and disembarking the bus [26,27], and moving inside the bus [28]. The literature agrees on the influence of physical and attitudinal barriers.…”

Design, Simulation and Fabrication of an Ergonomic Handgrip for Public Transport in Bangladesh

“…After the product has been manufactured, user feedback will be gathered to assess how comfortable the new model is compared to previous iterations. Public transport system is struggling to cope with the current travel demand Abidi and Sharma [3] Due to poor travelling facilities 23 % people have to leave their job opportunities Kett et al [4] Transport-related problems are among the most commonly faced issues by PWDs Almada and Renner [5] The main problems with public transport was the lack of trained employees to help PWDs with wheel chairs Isa et al [6] Certain train stations were inaccessible to PWDs due to poor planning, design, and maintenance Harbering and Schlüter [7] Females use public transport more often than their counter parts Indriyani and Sahroni [8] Decrease of high-range of the handgrip in women carriage is needed Obelenis [9] Musculoskeletal disorders are closely related to poor transport ergonomic conditions Escalona [10] The presence of risk factors that could explain the skeletal muscle disorders in upper limbs, shoulders and neck was confirmed Njoh [11] Investment in transportation is capable of stimulating economic growth Jurkauskas and Prunskienë [12] The concept of sustainable growth in both economy and transport sector must be analyzed in terms of sustainability Conto-Campis et al [13] Handgrips in public transport are not at an adequate height which cause hand stretch and risk of falling. Ulrich and Schnarch methodologies can be used to solve this Grant et al [14] Different diameters have different manual efforts and there is relationship between handle size and anthropometric dimension.…”