01668804

Component

https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198118769902

This paper discusses challenges to and promising practices for making infrastructure improvements that enable persons with disabilities and all system users to safely reach public transportation stations and stops to access fixed-route transit options. Although tremendous strides have been made in national transit system accessibility since the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, far less progress has been made in ensuring that pathways to accessible transit stations and stops are in place. This reality poses a critical mobility concern as the nation’s aging population continues to rise, as does the percentage of the population with disability who may need to utilize public transit to access life enhancing and sustaining services. The study uses a national survey and targeted case study analysis to identify effective best practices for facilitating improvement to pathways to transit. These include approaching cost and funding creatively; pursuing partnerships; initiating and maintaining open communication and collaboration; exploring the use of data and new technologies to reduce cost and improve outcomes; and thinking holistically to identify and address pathway to transit improvement needs. Useful to both practitioners and policy-makers, the findings presented offer insights on how agencies can successfully achieve infrastructure improvements that extend beyond their own facilities and that allow people with disabilities and others to more easily access public transit.

18-03153

English

pp 578-587

2018-12

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Digital/other

Figures (1) ; Photos; References (27) ; Tables (2)

Accessibility; Case studies; Fixed routes; Infrastructure; Persons with disabilities; Public transit; Rail transit stations

Design; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 22 2017 10:36AM