Transport & Disability Experience
Approximately 1 in 10 Europeans of all ages might be defined as being disabled. Whilst there is not a direct correlation between age and disability, the onset of age related disabilities as people get older, and the current demographic trend in Western societies towards an ageing society, mean that the proportion of people with mobility problems is likely to increase in future years.
Transport & Disability
The following are examples of projects that TTR has undertaken:
Tackling the abuse of off-street parking
The Scottish Executive has commissioned TTR to investigate, and provide best practice guidance on, methods of tackling the abuse of off-street parking facilities provided for disabled drivers and passengers. The study involved an assessment of the factors underlying parking behaviour and abuse of disabled parking facilities.
Blue Badge Eligibility
TTR evaluated the impact of extending the eligibility criteria of the Blue Badge Parking Scheme to disabled people who do not currently qualify for the Scheme. The work included a comprehensive review of the mobility needs of people with different types of disability, particularly those people who have significant difficulties with mobility, but who are not physically disabled.
Bus stop accessibility
TTR has been commissioned by Transport for London to examine the usability of bus stops throughout London for wheelchair using passengers.
High quality, low floor bus networks
TTR designed and evaluated the SMART bus network, including a fleet of fully accessible, low floor electric powered buses and real time information in Liverpool and on the Wirral.
Assessing specific needs of disabled people
TTR held a series of focus groups in Sefton, to establish the specific needs of travellers who are blind or partially sighted, who are deaf or hard of hearing, and who have difficulties with communicating with others. TTR also addressed the needs of adults with learning disabilities and children with Downs Syndrome.
Dial-a-ride services audit
TTR undertook a full audit of Bristol City Council’s dial-a-ride service for disabled people. The study made recommendations for integrating services and expanding service coverage city-wide.
Better access to people with learning disabilities
TTR assisted a group of working disabled artists in Bristol by suggesting a flexible and affordable commuter transport service, working hand in hand with the local authority and local bus operator.
Information and ticketing
TTR consulted groups representing the interests of disabled people on their specific requirements of the internet-based Transport Direct travel information service, and traveline, the telephone travel information service.
Accessible coach services
TTR was commissioned by DfT to monitor a pilot to assess the viability of a long distance coach service which provided accessibility for disabled passengers by means of a wheelchair lift.
High quality demand responsive transport
TTR led a European consortium to demonstrate new telematics-based systems to provide high quality dial-a-ride services and call-centre booking facilities for disabled people.
Good Practice Guide to the Disability Discrimination Act
TTR formed part of a small team of consultants supporting the drawing up of a Code of Practice to explain the new duties on some sectors of the transport industry arising from the Government’s decision to remove transport’s exemption from Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. TTR provided input to guides for Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles, and for the Car Hire industry. The work entailed both an anlysis of the aspects of service provision that needed to be changed in order to avoid breaching the DDA, and also consultation with the respective industries.
Conforming to the Disability Discrimination Act
This study assessed the provision of information and travel centre layouts in West Yorkshire. People with a range of disabilities reviewed the usefulness of travel information media and suggested improvements.
Improving interchange design
TTR conducted on-site audits with blind and partially sighted travellers at bus stations on Merseyside. The study made a range of recommendations for improvements at a major interchange.
Taking the strategic view
As part of an overall 20 year strategic review for the West Midlands, TTR conducted focus groups with disabled persons to assess priorities for future transport investment in the area.
Consulting on road pricing
As part of a European consortium looking at the application of telematics technologies for disabled people, TTR consulted groups representing disabled people in Bristol and Trondheim on their attitudes towards road user charging.
Researching the transport needs of blind and partially sighted people
TTR examined the extent to which transport-related policies in the West Midlands meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people, and assessed how the needs of partially sighted people differed from the needs of other groups of disabled people (e.g. wheelchair users). The findings contributed to a set of guidelines for Centro and local operators on how to improve the accessibility of public transport.