This paper provides an introduction to the variety of approaches adopted in transport provision - which often omit the different journey modes required by people with different levels of mobility impairment. This introduction looks at the whole range of elements required to provide an integrated accessible transport network including consultation, vehicles, routes, infra- structure, information, co-ordination, research and development. Then the issue of how an accessible transport system should be planned is examined. This section provides an assessment of transport planning as it is currently practised and asks whether or not there is an alternative way of planning which takes so called "special needs transport" out of the planning ghetto and challenges conventional planning assumptions and practices. A key element in accessible transport provision is the evaluation of overall service delivery and this must involve a rigorous assessment of the viability of the planning assumptions used to provide the service. The report explores the question of just what research is relevant to accessible transport provision. It also examines the role of action-orientated research involving an assessment of the critical paths in developing an accessible system using a variety of transport modes. Then the question of how transport policy makers and planners should take account of new information resulting from research is looked at. The closing section of the report looks at the challenges for the future for all transport policy makers and planners in providing accessible transport and examines the scope for joint initiatives between Passenger Transport Authorities (PTA) and Passenger Transport Executives (PTE).
Abstract