Public Transport: Accessible and Inclusive

Anjlee Agarwal

Executive Director & Access Consultant

National Centre for Accessible Environments,

New Delhi, India

UMI 2012, India

About Samarthyam

• It is a Civil Society and Research Organization

• We aim to improve access in environment through: Access and WalkAbility Audits,

Research,

Capacity Building Trainings

Design solutions

o Co-author of IRC 103:2012, Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities, CPWD Space Standards for disabled & elderly 1998 and UTTIPEC Street Design Guidelines

Access in Transit Infrastructure Travel a daily necessity

Obstacles in existing transportation systems • induce fatigue • restrict educational & employment opportunities • cause frustration

Hinders right to • freedom of movement • equal participation • access to health & other social services

Aging Population - India

India Population: 1.13 billion

60 years+ (2006) 20% 226.0m

60 years+ (2050) 32% 361.6m

(Source: Global Action on Aging 2006)

ALL PEOPLE : WHY INCLUSION ?

• India has the largest number of disabled people in the world.

• Same as the entire population of the UK.

• Most commonly accepted figure in India is 15% of total population or 150 million people with disabilities.

People with Disabilities - India

Laws, Codes & Guidelines

• The Persons with Disability Act, 1995

• United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2008

• IRC 103: 2012, Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities

• CPWD Barrier Free Space standards for Elderly and Disabled, 1998 (amendment underway with MoUD)

Transit Disadvantaged Persons

Persons with Disabilities

and

Persons with reduced mobility

are not able to use public transport

due to

inaccessible features

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

1st Public Transportation System in India to be designed with a holistic approach towards universal accessibility

Delhi Metro & Accessibility

DMRC included the access needs of persons with disabilities and elderly

during the planning stage

with the help of Samarthyam, to promote universal access

Steps Taken

Plan for Diversity of Users

Focus on safe, comfortable & equitable infrastructure for

• Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

• Persons with Reduced Mobility

Steps Taken

Access Audits (2002)

• During construction of Welcome station with DMRC engineers & architects in March

• 1st stretch-8.3km with 4 Coaches & 6 Stations, inaugurated on 24th Dec 2002

Steps Taken

Sensitization workshops for policymakers and stakeholders

Recommendations implemented

Steps Taken

Media Role Highlighted the cooperation between Samarthyam & DMRC for barrier free Metro

DMRC response

• DMRC is committed to making the Metro fully

accessible

• Receptive to constructive feedback

• Regularly access audits are conducted at stations by Samarthyam

• Elicits feedback and studies its successes & deficiencies

Kerb Ramp

Accessible Features

Stations • designated parking

for PwDs

• ramps with hand rails

• Wayfinding signage

Accessible Features Stations

• guiding & warning paving for persons with vision impairment

• bright colour contrast for low vision persons

- Signage at eye level - Lowered control panel - Wide door - Grab bars inside lift - Rear view Mirror - Audio Announcement -Time adjustable door closing mechanism - Power backup

Accessible Features

Accessible Features Stations

• back lit signage • widened AFC gates

Accessible Features Stations and coaches

• resting areas for persons with reduced mobility- pregnant women, senior citizens and PwDs

Accessible Features Stations

• Bilingual large lettering and information displays and signage

• Lifts with low control panel, Braille & raised buttons

• Auditory signals • Wide doors

Accessible Features Coaches

• Designated coach for wheelchair passengers

• Sensory door closing mechanisms

• Audio announcement with dynamic display

Accessible Features Coaches

• Designated spaces for wheelchair passengers with access symbol

• Wide aisle for barrier free movement to other coaches

Accessible Features

• Metro Sahayaks (helpers)

present at stations to provide assistance

• Wheelchairs available on request

Later Developments

Samarthyam provided inputs for further

improvements:

• lowered ticket counter height/single window facility

• distinct sound for orienting persons with vision impairment

• transit ramp to bridge horizontal and vertical gap between the coach and platform

• accessible toilets (outside the stations) to be modified

Multi-use Washroom

Inclusive and Universal Design

Leads to

• more passenger inflow

• less travel time

• added revenue generation for the service providers

• reliability, affordability and comfort attract more people

• integration of PwDs into mainstream society with more opportunities

Benefits

Delhi Metro’s challenges and success are being highlighted, the drawbacks and limitations worked upon for better accessibility

The biggest success = Advocacy and Awareness

rationale for access is no longer required for public agencies, it is now a given

Upcoming Metro Project

MRTS is replicated in all metro cities of India

Life line for people with disabilities

Namma Metro, Bangalore

Access Audit in 2010

Namma Metro, Bangalore

Access Audit in 2010

Hyderabad Metro Rail Project

• Samarthyam is partnering with Hyderabad Metro

for capacity building workshops for the design

team and engineers to make the system

universally accessible

Inauguration, 25-11-2012

• Accessible street infrastructure- Seamless journey

• Feeder services to be accessible-last mile connectivity

• Cooperation & Coordination between the user groups and implementing agencies during the

policy formulation and execution, the best approach in achieving the desired objective of

“Mobility for All”

MRTS in India –way forward

Thank You

Thank You