Experience shows that to achieve a fully adapted public transport system, the whole travel chain has to be considered. In a research project in Boras, Sweden, running between 1990-1994, measures were undertaken in the whole travel chain in order to provide a more accessible transport system. An evaluation was made of the benefits and attitudes of elderly people. In 1989 a decision was made in Boras to continue the efforts of providing an adapted public transport system by integrating the physical environment. Two residential areas in Boras were chosen for the study. In both areas similar measures were undertaken in the physical environment and at the bus stops such as new, even and wider pavements, pavements, raised zebra crossings, benches along pedestrian roads, shelters at the bus stops, etc. In the public transport system, measures on the buses in the ordinary mainstream service were undertaken in one area, and in the other area service route traffic in central boras were made. Among other things a guideline system for vision impaired people was introduced. The aim of the project was to evaluate the overall benefit (mobility, safety and quality of life) for the elderly population in the areas of different measures as well as possible differences in the areas due to the different standard public transport system. The elderly's attitudes towards values of different measures were also studied. (a)
Abstract