This article advocates the development of a mix of conventional and unconventional transport modes to cater for the travel needs of the physically handicapped. The need for a more accurate method of identifying the most cost effective configuration of modes to satisfy demand is discussed first. Accurate forecasts of both demand and travel pattern are difficult, as people who have been housebound for long periods find it difficult to assess this and can underestimate use by a factor of 3. Passenger transport is seen as passenger logistics, i.e. as a constant process of solving a series of needs to get between a series of origins and destinations at an acceptable time. This should be worked out for all passengers, and not just the disabled. The cost effective configuration of modes depends upon being able to efficiently schedule demands for travel. The choice of mode here is made by the despatch process, and not by the passenger.
Abstract