A comparison is made between international standards and regulations concerning the design of buses and how these affect the use of buses by the elderly or mobility-handicapped. Standards set by the United Nations, France, Sweden, Germany, the UK and London Transport are considered. Features examined include the exterior appearance of the bus, display of route information, steps, floors, gangways, doors, bellpushes, handrails, stanchions, seating, communications and lighting. A wide variation between standards is seen. In particular the United Nations ECE Regulation 36 is substantially less stringent than the standards of a number of other organisations.
Abstract