CCT384 – Universal Design and Access Case Study: Transportation Week 10.

CCT384 Universal Design and Access Case Study: Transportation Week 10

Exam Course Review Next Week! Twenty multiple-choice questions: 20 marks (each question = 1 mark) Five fill-in-the-blank questions: 5 marks (each question = 1 mark) Three short answer questions: 15 marks (5 marks for each question)

Rail Systems

Bordeaux Light Rail Bordeaux, Aquitaine France New Construction Completed - 2005 Funding - Public

Bordeaux Light Rail France, where the European Unions light rail renaissance began in the 1980s, excels still. Bordeauxs Light Rail system is a standard-bearer for modern light rail systems for ease of use, aesthetics and seamless surface integration. The Atlantic port city has been a hub of commerce since the Roman Empire and is distinguished by its crescent-shaped Port of the Moon and location between the ocean and the worlds most famous vineyards. Bordeauxs exceptional architectural quality and coherence has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage site, in France second only to Paris in the number of protected buildings (327). The Bordeaux tram system was designed, in part, to protect and complement the historic core. The system is street-based but separated from traffic except at intersections. The light rail system consists of three lines, including eighty-nine stations, Alstom CITADIS 302 & 402 light rail cars all sleekly designed with subtle colors, large windows and low floors, and maintenance facilities. Bordeauxs system also features a unique power technology which eliminates the need for overhead wires, giving the impression of vehicles magically gliding through the central city. Design and construction of the line occurred over a ten-year period and included a complex and extensive participatory process that involved citizens from a wide range of ages and abilities.

Description (1) Bordeaux initially selected the automated VAL (Vehicule Automatique Leger) system but extensive public objection and concern for the safety of tunneling that could put the historic fabric at risk reversed the choice in favor of a street-based, less disruptive system. The Urban Community of Bordeaux (including the city of Bordeaux) began the initial planning of a modern light rail or tram system in 1997. The system was envisioned to improve the transportation system for the people of Bordeaux and its suburbs, using the newest technologies in a manner that respected the architectural significance of downtown Bordeaux. The tram rights-of-way are a mix of grassy medians or clearly delineated areas on existing road surfaces. The system was built in multiple phases: Phase I, costing 686 million, was built over 2003-2005 and includes Lines A&B over 25km. Phase II, Line C, was built from 2007-2009 for 598 million. Both completed phases, operate daily to carry approximately 55M passengers per year. Discussions are underway for further significant expansion including a 4th line.

Description (2) Line A: runs from East to West, after crossing the Garonne River on a bridge, it splits into two heading to the North and South part of the City. Line B: runs from the Northeast to the Southwest. Line C: runs from the North towards the Southeast of the City. There are seventeen (17) park and ride locations with a total of 5,000 parking spaces. In the historic downtown, 1.8km of the tram system was designed without an overhead contact system (OCS) and instead relies upon a sophisticated embedded third rail technology known as Alimentation Par Sol (APS) that is powered only when a tram is directly above it and both sets of power pickup shoes engage the rail. While APS was originally prototyped in Marseille, Bordeaux is the first city within Europe to extensively utilize the APS system and has proven its reliability. Bordeaux has also sought to expand APS usage to approximately 10.5km. In case of APS power failure, batteries onboard the trams provide instantaneous power. Vehicles switch from APS power to OCS power at certain stations along the line in a manner that passengers never notice the switch occurring.

Description (3) Tram Design and Operation Bordeaux, after extensive industry consultations, chose to purchase 18 Alstom Citadis 302 trams which are 32.9m long (107.93ft) and 52 Alstom Citadis 402 low-floor trams which are 44m long (144.36ft). As is common practice in much of the world, trams operate in single car trains and more vehicles are added during peak periods. Generally, trams operate with 4- minute headways and 2-minute headways during peak periods. The 100% low floor designs ensure easy and quick boarding of the vehicles at each stop. The interior layouts allow for approximately 213 riders on the Citadis 302 and 300 riders on the Citadis 402. In each case, significant attention was paid to the arrangement and location of stanchions (vertical poles) and horizontal grab rails. Contrasting colors ensure high visibility. Automated visual and audio announcements are standard with approximately six screens are provided so that at least one is visible in each section of the tram. Typical side-by-side seating is provided in various locations within in the tram. Given customer feedback and the usage characteristics of the lines, in newer trams, a greater emphasis was placed on providing perching or leaning rails as well as ample space for standees, people using wheeled mobility devices such as walkers, scooters, and wheelchairs, as well as riders with strollers or luggage. At platforms, seating includes shaded options. LED screens display the time until the next train. Lighting is designed to facilitate orientation and wayfinding.

Design and the User Experience Public outreach included older people, pregnant women and adults and children with disabilities. The result offers a model of a light rail system that is usable, comfortable, intuitive and understandable to local residents and visitors from France and abroad. User engagement began at conceptual planning and schematic design with a level of commitment to engage organizations that represent people with disabilities. Moreover, there were public temporary and permanent exhibits about the project and as well as many public meetings. The City of Bordeaux also opened a website inviting public comments and hosting topical forums.

Evaluation The tramway system has been a success since the opening of the three lines. The users of the tram now represents 53% of the public transportation of Bordeaux and the surrounding area. In 2008, 90.3 million passengers had used public transportation with 54.7 millions using the tramway. That represents an increase of 13.4% since 2007. In terms of universal design, there has been some criticism about not replicating the bright yellow color for external truncated domes and interior vehicle rails as is common for trams in the UK and other parts of the EU to improve independence and safety for people with low vision.

Universal Design Features Extensive participatory process with user/experts engaged specifically for some elements. Tactile maps at station entrances, lobbies and platforms. Detectable guide strip from each station entrance to lobby, fare gates and down to the platforms. Lighting levels vary in relation to function and lend clarity to the hierarchy of information. Low floor trams, which allow comfortable and easy access for not only people with disabilities but also children, elderly, women with children, people wheeling luggage or shopping carts. Spacious multipurpose areas that can be dedicated to bicycles, prams or luggage. Many streets along the tramway lines are pedestrian areas with limited access cars. Good acoustical solutions resulting in low internal and external noise levels.

Environmentally Sustainable Features The investment in light rail is itself an environmental feature offering a viable, affordable alternative to the automobile that enhances mobility, address environmental concerns, and promote efficient land use trends Regenerative braking system on trams captures energy during braking, stores it for use once the train rolls again.

Project Details (1) PROJECT TEAM Client: City of Bordeaux Name: The Light Rail System for Bordeaux Company: The Urban Community of Bordeaux (CUB) Email: Telephone: +05 5699 8484 Project Manager Name: Francois Saglier Company: Email: Telephone:

Project Details (2) Architect(s) Name: Brochet, Lajus, Pueyo Company: Agence dArchitecture BLP de Bordeaux Email: architects@ Brochet-Lajus- Pueyo.fr Telephone:+05 5719 5919 Designers Name: Jean Philip Lanoire and Sophie Corrian Company: Lanoire & Corrian Architects Email: [email protected] Telephone: +05 5714 [email protected]

Project Details (3) Landscape Designer Name: Alain Cousserant Company: Group Signes Email: Telephone: +01 4022 9595 Specialized Consultant Consultant Type: Urban furniture/ Name: Elizabeth de Portzamparc Company: Elizabeth de Portzamparc Email: info@ ElizabethdePortzamparc.com Telephone: +01 5363 3232

Bordeaux Light Rail At Pessac Centre station an Alstom Citadis tram awaits passengers Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Bordeaux Light Rail A tram boards passengers with a French cathedral in the background. Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Bordeaux Light Rail A tram rounds a curve in Bordeauxs historic center with the Arch in the background. Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Bordeaux Light Rail In the pedestrian city center, modern trams, people, street cafes and history mingle seamlessly. Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Bordeaux Light Rail Two trams round a curve in the pedestrian city center as people cross in all directions. Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Bordeaux Light Rail Just in front of Bordeauxs Grand Theater, a tram passes pedestrians. The tram is powered by the imbedded third rail rather than overhead wires. Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Bordeaux Light Rail The interior of the 100% ultra low floor Alstom Citadis tram has both wide open areas as well as 2X2 seating. Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Bordeaux Light Rail Overhead LED screens display the next station stop and fare validation points are provided near the wide doors. In the wide open areas, seats are spring loaded to provide plenty of space for baby strollers, people using wheeled mobility devices and bicycles.

Bordeaux Light Rail This is a close up photo showing how close the tram is to the platform edge. Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Airports

Ottawa and Vancouver Airports Project Facts Ottawa and Vancouver Airports Canada Renovation Completed - 2009 Funding - Public

Introduction (1) Airports present a unique design challenge. In operation 24/7 for 365 days of the year, they are an important transit gateway with multiple moving parts, extremely varied users and intense security responsibilities. When two cities in Canada Ottawa and Vancouverneeded to add terminals to their airports, the progressive clients looked to expand upon the standard Canadian Accessibility Codes and deliver universal design quality to their travelers. Architect Stanis Smith is a vice president in the Vancouver office of the international design firm Stantec and he served as the primary consultant on both airport projects. The Ottawa International Airport Terminal was completed in 2003. The Vancouver International Airport was completed in 1996, and was expanded upon in 2000, 2003, and 2009.

Introduction (2) In both instances, the architects engaged a diverse team of consultants to help create buildings that are open, transparent, and inclusively welcoming and usable. They developed a sequence of memorable and distinctive spaces creating an appropriate gateway to the city and country, and resolved sophisticated security, airport, and airline requirements in a manner that is unobtrusive to passengers. They used materiality and structural layout to facilitate intuitive wayfinding and support the needs of both passengers and employees, while employing sustainable elements. In contrast to the anonymity of most international aiports, both of these Canadian airports are distinguished by celebrating the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region.

Description(1) In the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Stantec created a new multi-level international and domestic airport terminal serving six million passengers per year. The Ottawa International Airport Terminal is approximately 660,000 square feet [61.31square meters] and is located adjacent to an existing terminal. It has been designed to expand incrementally as passenger volume increases. In Vancouver, the multi-level International Airport Terminal was designed to accommodate eight million passengers per year. The building is 1,600,000 square feet [92.90 square meters] with connections to the adjacent domestic terminal and a multi-level parking structure serving both terminals. The building includes 37 bridged aircraft gates as well as Canadian and US Customs and Immigration Facilities. A light-rail system is currently being constructed that will link the terminal to downtown Vancouver in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Description(2) Beyond the base of being code compliant, both terminals support passenger wayfinding and incorporate a universal design approach via lighting, millwork, flooring, and other finishes. The design ensures that passengers may orient themselves intuitively with minimal reliance on signage. The terminals layout minimizes walking distances, creates an inclusive sense of welcome, and offers a building that is a unique gateway to the city and region. The distinctive First Nation (aboriginal Canadians) imagery offers a compelling opportunity to appreciate cultural richness of the area while also creating landmarks that aid in wayfinding.

Evaluation With airport terminals, passenger feedback is frequently solicited and user-surveys are regularly conducted. Feedback and post-occupancy studies have been overwhelmingly positive for both Vancouver and Ottawa. The Vancouver International Airport has been praised for being highly efficient, functional, and accessible, creating a serene and poetic environment that has propelled the airport to the top of worldwide surveys of passenger friendliness and customer satisfaction. It is regularly rated as one of the ten best airports in the world by independent organizations as diverse as the International Airport Transport Association (IATA) and Cond Naste.

Universal Design Features (1) Mobility: complete physical access throughout via ramp or elevator numerous moving walkways * low resistance door closers/lever handles screen walls in lieu of doors to washrooms emergency buttons in UD washrooms low writing shelves and toe clearances at all check-in counters dedicated passenger drop-off and pick-up zones accessible change bench in customs search areas

Universal Design Features (2) Visual assistance: Dynamic high-definition high-contrast signage that automatically rotates between several different languages Braille/tactile lettering on all service rooms audible floor callers in elevators audible readers via phone handset at all flight- information and baggage-information displays

Universal Design Features (3) Auditory assistance: visual fire alarms/strobes emergency message video override silent pager video monitors closed captioning on all entertainment televisions TTY pay/information telephones TTY phone in key public areas microphone volume controlled handset at all check- in/service counters

Environmentally Sustainable Features Natural daylighting Low-velocity distribution air conditioning Low VOC and renewable materials Access to public transit Sensors to automatically shut off interior lights, escalators, and walkways Bike parking for employees

Ottawa and Vancouver Airports This black & white image shows a very simple overview of the terminal design in relation to accessing the planes. Image Credit: Stantec Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Ottawa and Vancouver Airports This color image shows a large aboriginal-style natural bark canoe elevated on a concrete pad to a comfortable viewing height with a dramatic water feature to the right falling straight down in a continuous sheet. Image credit: Stantec Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Ottawa and Vancouver Airports Two very large First Nation totemic figures carved in wood form a portal greeting visitors to the Vancouver International Airport. Image credit: Stantec Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Ottawa and Vancouver Airports The colored image shows an inclined walkway with glass sides and a wooden rail at the top passing through indoor garden spaces on either side with seating clearly visible on the right. Image credit:Stantec Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Ottawa and Vancouver Airports Colored image depicts a ramp with a floor of textured tile and stainless steel hand railings. The ramp opens to a level entry to food service on the right and continues down to the Jade Canoe sculpture viewing area below. Image Credit: IHCD file photo Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Ottawa and Vancouver Airports Image of Jade Canoe, the most famous First Nation sculptures at Vancouver International Airport. This very large dark green sculpture of complex human figures tightly packed in a boat that is installed in the Vancouver airport terminal which is set off by skylights above and a viewing area distinct from the path of travel and fully accessible. Image credit: Stantec Images 2008 Institute for Human Centered Design

Activity

Watch and take notes on two or three segments from Trading Spaces (TLC Channel) Available here: http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/trading-spaces/ http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/trading-spaces/ Consider what they show to PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES about typical family housing (AND Universal Design) in North America. Do these shows give accurate portraits of average North American families and homes, including culturally-specific examples? Think about how and in what ways their producers might change the shows to present more accurate pictures of typical Western housing from YOUR community, with examples. In the Makeover shows, look for UD examples among both the original AND redesigned houses furnishings, equipment, and yard. They may be highlighted by the host or client family, OR just filmed but NOT mentioned. In watching a few of these shows, we did NOT hear them introduce UD or see more than one or two examples as the camera swooped by. But I hope that you will!

CCT384 – Universal Design and Access Case Study: Transportation Week 10.

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Transcript of CCT384 – Universal Design and Access Case Study: Transportation Week 10.