D2.2.1. Accessibility. Detailed specification of accessibility solutions. D2.2.1a in the project European Bus System of the Future.

Report, 2010

The main objectives of European Bus System of the Future (EBSF) project are to: (i) develop an innovative, high quality, bus system; (ii) achieve a breakthrough design of vehicles, infrastructures and operations emphasising a system approach.; and (iii) maintain or improve the competitive position of the European bus manufacturers and operators worldwide.

This report presents result from a literature study on the topic of accessibility. Future bus systems must be accessible to fulfil the needs of people with disabilities. The objectives of the literature study were to: (i) Provide a brief overview of the area of disability; (ii) Describe problems and barriers that people with disabilities face when travelling – by bus in particular and (iii) Provide recommendations on how to achieve an accessible design of a public transport system in general, and of buses and bus systems in particular.

The results are divided into four parts. The first part concerns disability: what it is, and how different disabilities can be categorized. The second part describes barriers people with disabilities face when using public transport. The third part presents general guidelines for designing for accessibility, while the final part includes guidelines for designing accessible bus systems.

It is concluded that one must apply a “whole journey perspective” in order to design an accessible bus system, i.e. all links in the travel chain must be easily accessible.  The design guidelines included in this report are a starting point for creating a bus system of the future that has high accessibility throughout the travel chain.