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CHAPTER FIVE
AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES BY TRANSIT FUNCTION
The elements of a typical transit trip can be summarized into six basic functions:
- Understanding the system,
- Accessing the correct vehicle,
- Entering a vehicle,
- Traveling in a vehicle,
- Exiting a vehicle, and
- Exiting the stop/station/terminal.
These basic functions are further defined in the following list of basic functions associated with using transit and described in reference 6.
- Understanding the System
- Learn routes, stops/stations, and transfer points
- Learn schedules
- Learn fare schedule and payment media
- Learn special services and provisions
- Accessing the Correct Vehicle
- Locate stop/station/terminal
- Locate and access fare system
- Activate and pass through fare gate**
- Move to proper boarding area/platform
- Identify correct incoming vehicle
- Identify and move to vehicle doorway
- Entering a Vehicle
- Move through doorway/cross railcar gap**
- Ascend stairs/use lift
- Pay fare*
- Identify vacant seat or standing space
- Reach seat/standing space
- Traveling in a Vehicle
- Accommodate motion of vehicle
- Accommodate entrance and egress movements of others
- Comprehend special announcements
- Respond to selected special announcements
- Exiting a Vehicle
- Identify desired stop/station/terminal
- Notify driver of desire to stop*
- Move to doorway
- Descend stairs/use lift*
- Exit vehicle and reach platform/area
- Exiting the Stop/Station/Terminal**
- Determine desired exit direction**
- Activate and pass through fare control gate**
- Exit station/terminal**
(The functions with a single asterisk are applicable only to bus transit systems; those functions with a double asterisk are applicable only to rail transit systems.) These basic transit trip functions do not include "making connections" and "dealing with emergencies"; however, because these functions can be critical elements for persons with disabilities, they are included in this chapter.
UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM
Understanding the transit system involves obtaining information about the trip prior to traveling and obtaining information during the trip. For a successful trip it is necessary that passengers or potential passengers receive the appropriate information from the transit agency. During the pretrip phase, potential passengers may require information on various aspects of their trip including routes; stops; schedules; fares; location of accessible stations; special services, including TTY equipment; and policies of the transit agency.
During the trip a passenger, who may be accessing the system for the first time, could require information on the location of fare boxes and ticket agents, how the transfer system works, location of platforms, and how to identify desired stations or stops.
A typical passenger without any particular disability or special need would obtain the required information relatively easily through printed materials supplied by the transit agency or by making telephone inquires. However, for persons with sensory and cognitive disabilities these methods of communication may not be appropriate. Table 3 outlines the communication methods available to assist persons with disabilities in understanding a transit system.
ACCESSING THE CORRECT VEHICLE
Accessing the correct transit vehicle requires that the passenger:
- Know where to wait for the vehicle,
- Identify the correct vehicle, and
- Move to the vehicle doorway.
The level of information required to do this will vary between a bus stop and a rail station and the individual's ability and experience.
If the bus stop serves multiple routes, the passenger must take measures to ensure that they enter the correct vehicle. In turn, the bus driver has the ability to stop in front of the passenger, thereby reducing the burden on the passenger to stand in the correct position.
At a rail station or terminal the passenger must locate the ticket agent or ticket machine, purchase the appropriate ticket, and then locate the platform area. Accessing the correct platform may require passengers to negotiate their way through complicated and crowded building layouts, which could include tunnels, escalators, and stairs. On the platform passengers must be able to identify the train doors, because trains stop at approximate rather than precise locations. Therefore, passengers, particularly those with visual impairments, must find the train doors, which should not be confused with the gap between train cars. In addition, this must be done in a timely manner to avoid being trapped by the closing doors. Other concerns are the noise level, platforms with more than average noise can reduce the hearing level for persons with hearing impairments, and the size of the crowd on the platform, crowded areas can also be a barrier for persons with visual impairments and individuals with cognitive disabilities. Table 4 outlines several techniques and devices designed to assist passengers with disabilities to access the correct transit vehicle.
ENTERING A VEHICLE
The challenges an individual with disabilities must overcome to enter a transit vehicle are very similar to those discussed in the previous section. On entering the vehicle, the individual must pay the designated fare and find a seat or identify an appropriate standing area. Standard signage, training (driver and passenger), and Smart Cards are some of the methods that can be used to assist persons with disabilities. Smart Cards can make the fare payment process easier by allowing for automatic collection of the appropriate fare.
Persons with physical disabilities, particularly those using wheelchairs, typically must communicate with the transit operator to deploy lifts or ramps or use securement devices. Training allows the passenger to become familiar with the transit vehicle. Sensitivity training teaches the driver to take the necessary and appropriate steps with passengers with disabilities, such as making sure the passenger is securely in the vehicle before driving off. Table 5 indicates some of the methods and devices that can assist passengers with disabilities upon entering a transit vehicle.
TRAVELING IN A VEHICLE
When traveling in transit vehicles, passengers should be able to comprehend announcements being made by the operators, respond to special announcements, and be prepared to respond to emergencies. Extra effort is required to keep individuals with sensory or cognitive disabilities adequately informed. Table 6 illustrates the available technologies or techniques that can keep a person with sensory and cognitive disabilities, traveling on a transit vehicle, better informed.
EXITING A VEHICLE
To successfully exit a transit vehicle it is necessary to identify the desired destination (stop, station, or facility), notify the driver of the desired stop, move to the doorway, and exit the vehicle to the platform or stop area. The ability to identify or recognize one's stop is perhaps the most important factor. The ADA requires that major transit stops be announced. However, as documented in the literature review and results from the surveys, a significant number of transit operators are not doing this consistently. Therefore, other measures of communicating this information to passengers might be required, particularly to persons with disabilities, or better enforcement of the ADA regulations must be considered. The communication methods and techniques identified in Table 7 can assist passengers with disabilities in obtaining the information they require to successfully exit a transit vehicle.
EXITING THE STOP/STATION/TERMINAL
Exiting at a station or terminal, particularly one with multiple operators and multitransit modes, can be challenging. In these complex environments it is critical to select the correct pathway or exit to successfully reach the desired destination. Selecting the incorrect pathway may prolong the travel time, as well as present serious safety issues. Therefore, it is important for transit agencies to provide proper signage or access to information, so that persons with disabilities can safely exit a transit station or terminal. Table 8 presents some of the available techniques and methods designed to improve such signage and information access.
CONNECTING TO OTHER TRANSPORTATION MODES
Making connections from one vehicle to another at a station or terminal can be a complex exercise for persons with disabilities. It is imperative that proper signage and access to information be provided for passengers departing the station or terminal, as discussed in the previous section, as well as for passengers making connections at a terminal or station. Table 9 identifies some of the methods used to improve signage and information to assist persons with disabilities in making proper connections or transfers at stations and terminals.
EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
Persons with disabilities must be able to comprehend and respond appropriately to an emergency situation while traveling on any type of transit system. Emergencies may include everything from unforeseen or unusual weather conditions, route deviations, and canceled routes, to more serious conditions such as accidents, evacuations, and fire. The AVL and visual signage are two good ways of providing passengers with real-time information in emergency situations. Table 10 lists some of the mechanisms that are available to improve the timely delivery information to passengers with disabilities.
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