OC Transpo is making its vehicles and facilities more accessible to disabled persons. Stations in the bus-based Transitway system must be modified to make rapid transit services accessible to the disabled persons who find traditional transit services difficult to use. The primary transit passenger markets served by accessibility improvements include persons with mobility, cognitive, visual, hearing and speech impairments. These markets are significant and are expected to grow substantially over the next two decades. This paper documents the process and results embodied by the study's two principal products firstly, Transitway Accessibility Guidelines, to be used in planning and designing future stations. These are based on accepted barrier-free design standards, but reflect the unique Transitway environment. Guidelines have been developed for: signage and wayfinding systems; pathways, curb cuts, ramps and stairs; passenger shelters and platform areas; information and communication systems; and vehicular access and parking areas. Secondly, a Transitway Accessibility plan to improve the accessibility of existing stations, this identifies and assigns priorities to specific types and locations of improvements based on factors such as: the level of use of each station by elderly and disabled persons; the size and number of market segments assisted; the effectiveness of travel barrier removal; and, the ease and cost of implementation. (A)
Abstract