Barriers to Use of Fixed Route Transit Services Janet M. Barlow Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Accessible Design for the Blind NCAMPO conference Asheville NC May 3, 2012

Why might we want people to use fixed route transit rather than specialized services? Why might individuals prefer to use fixed route rather than specialized services? Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide2

Older pedestrians 62 million age 65 or older by 2025 Crash involvement rates lower than other age groups which may be due to individuals limiting risk (not going out at night, not crossing at some locations) More vulnerable to serious injury or death Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide3

Older pedestrians Possible issues: Decreased contrast sensitivity or visual acuity, reduced peripheral vision, and reduced “useful field of view” Adapt more slowly to changing lighting Move more slowly Poor hearing Difficulty judging the speed and distance of vehicles Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide4

Mobility Disabilities Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide5

Vision disabilities Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide6

Cognitive disabilities, hearing disabilities or multiple disabilities Developmental disability Stroke Head injury Deaf or hard of hearing Combination of one of above with vision or mobility disability Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide7

Statistics on pedestrians with disabilities 49 million Americans with disabilities (1992) Prevalence expected to increase with aging population Many are unable to drive and are dependent on transit and pedestrian facilities Crash statistics are generally unavailable Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide8

What are barriers to use of fixed route transit for pedestrians who are seniors, blind or visually impaired, or who have mobility disabilities? Lack of familiarity or experience with transit service Inaccessible sidewalks, stops, or shelters Inaccessible or unusable street crossings Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide9

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Lack of familiarity or experience with transit service Lack of understanding of transit Difficulty reading and understanding schedules and maps Confusion about stop locations Perception - fears about riding public transit Unsure how to ride and pay Is there a lift (if needed)? Interaction with bus drivers Interaction with other riders Personal safety concerns Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide11

Potential solutions Educational materials Review and explanation of schedules and maps at senior centers and facilities serving individuals with disabilities Individualized training and practice riding the system Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide12

Inaccessible stops or shelters No sidewalk or accessible path to the transit stop Inadequate turning space/landing space in the path or shelter Long waits and limited or no information about when the bus will arrive Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide13

When the sidewalk ends…… Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide14 Where do the pedestrians go? Into the street

Dirt path to the stop Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide15

Bench but not accessible to a wheelchair user or someone with balance problems Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide16

Solutions Sidewalks on both sides of roadway where transit is provided Curb ramps Accessible bus stops Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide17

Barriers Inaccessible or unusable street crossings No curb ramps Wide streets No marked crosswalk or pedestrian signals at signalized locations No crosswalk or inability to find a safe time to cross even where there is a crosswalk Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide18

Unusable Sidewalks and crossings Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide19 Lack of curb ramp at crosswalk results in wheelchair user traveling in the vehicle travel lane, rather than on the sidewalk

Wide crossings Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide20

Some solutions Marked crosswalks Medians and curb extensions Pedestrian signals pushbuttons in accessible locations accessible pedestrian signals Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide21

Use of medians and islands and curb extensions to shorten crossing distance Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide22

Accessible pedestrian signals MUTCD 2009 requires new features Sounds from pushbutton and speaker located at pushbutton locations Pushbutton locator tone Tactile arrow Audible and vibrotactile walk indication Automatic volume adjustment Location beside the crosswalk being signaled Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide23

Pushbutton-integrated APS Pushbutton locator tone during FDW and DW Rapid tick WALK indication 24Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide

Unsignalized crosswalks Median islands and/or curb extensions High visibility markings RRFB Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide25

Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide26

Pedestrian facilities are needed on transit routes Sidewalks Accessible curb ramps Crosswalks Pedestrian signals, including accessible pedestrian signals, at signalized locations Crosswalk enhancements on larger, higher volume roadways at unsignalized locations Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide27

Accessible Design for the Blind 5/3/2012, Slide28