Collaboration, Cooperation, and Participation: Lessons on ...
Transcript of Collaboration, Cooperation, and Participation: Lessons on ...
Collaboration, Cooperation, and Participation:
Lessons on Transit Accessibility
from BaltimoreLink
Maryland Department of Transportation
Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA)
Jaime McKay, Transportation Planner
Learning Objectives
• Discuss ways to ensure an inclusive and participatory planning process.
• Review current efforts at MDOT MTA to further accessibility.
• Describe ongoing efforts to advance accessibility in transit information and resources.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned throughout process.
What is Inclusive Planning?
• A process in which participants (people with disabilities
and older adults), partner organizations, coordinated
transportation partners and other stakeholders are
actively and meaningfully involved in transportation
planning.
Recent projects geared towards
accessibility
• Turn by turn accessible schedules
• Tactile Braille flipbooks
• Inclusive Transportation Planning Grant
• Bus Stop Accessibility evaluation
Turn by turn accessible
schedules
• During the initial planning phases of BaltimoreLink, MDOT
MTA worked alongside the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) Maryland and Center for Mobility Equity to
produce descriptive, screen reader accessible turn-by-
turn documents outlining the numerous routes that would
be changed.
• The team created an inclusive and participatory process
for individuals with visual impairments and older adults.
Turn by turn accessible
schedules
• Because of the way traditional transit maps are designed:
– People with visual impairments do not always have access to
the same information as their sighted counterparts.
– As a result, people with visual impairments may not know the
extent of proposed service changes, or their participation in the
transit planning process may be limited.
– For older adults, transit maps may not provide the level of detail
that would make a rider feel confident and comfortable.
Turn by turn accessible
schedulesHow were these created?
• Turn-by-turn information, including distance and routing, are exported from either a GIS or a GTFS
• Raw exports are specifically formatted to be screen reader compatible, including headings, text tags, and tables
• Documents are manually tested with screen reader device for accuracy and clarity of user experience
• Word documents are published on mta.maryland.gov and are updated whenever service changes
Turn by turn accessible
schedules• These descriptive maps enable individuals to understand the many
nuances of public transportation.
• This accessibility project takes the user through a textual turn-by-turn description of where the route begins, the direction of travel throughout the route, significant stops and transfer points, and where the route ends.
• This provides more context to the route and stops, can be pulled up on a smartphone or printed out in large print, and can empower a rider to be more aware of their surroundings as they travel independently.
Turn by turn accessible
schedules
• These accessible route sheets have been published since
the planning phases of BaltimoreLink, and with each
successive service change, these sheets have been
updated to reflect changes and customer needs.
• While our accessible route sheets serve an important role,
they are only available to passengers with internet access
or smartphones.
Tactile braille flipbooks
• Did you know? Baltimore is home to Maryland School for
the Blind, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, and
National Federation of the Blind.
Tactile braille flipbooks
A pilot program that incorporates the production of tactile Braille flip books that:
• outline the major points of interest and transfers for the CityLink routes,
• an outreach component specific to targeted constituent groups, and
• a data collection and analysis period to determine if additional tactile or Braille materials will better support the needs of our riders.
Inclusive Transportation Planning
• The project's goal is to support communities nationwide in
adopting proven, sustainable, scalable, and replicable
models that include participation of people with disabilities
and older adults in the design and implementation of
coordinated transportation systems that are responsive to
their needs.
• Whew!
Inclusive Transportation Planning
• MDOT MTA, MDOD, MDoA applied jointly
– We want to work more collaboratively on transportation needs
– We want to build relationships between the agencies and those
we serve
– We want to engage with people where they are
Inclusive Transportation Planning
• Form a Steering Committee made up of people with
disabilities and their caregivers and older adults
• Identify opportunities to engage in the planning process
• Coordinate and collaborate on upcoming efforts
Inclusive Transportation Planning
• Grant period runs from July – December
• At least one meeting per month
– Nontraditional outreach opportunities
• Reporting and documentation
– What are we learning?
– Best practices?
– Challenges?
Bus Stop Accessibility Evaluation
• Examine the accessibility of the built environment at or
adjacent to existing bus stops.
Bus Stop Accessibility Evaluation
• Ongoing process
– Lots of bus stops!
• Assessment – prioritizing projects – finding funding
Bus Stop Accessibility Evaluation
• Prioritization for capital improvements will be based on:
– bus stop utilization
– wheelchair ramp deployment data
– MobilityLink / paratransit origins and destinations
– cost of stop improvements.
• Ensuring equitable and data-driven decision making.
Bus Stop Accessibility Evaluation
• Current practice for bus stop improvements (construction)
is 9-15 months.
• Working with local jurisdictions in developing typical
designs to expedite the permitting and construction
process.
Lessons Learned
• Engagement – reaching people who are not typically
reached
– Use existing networks. People with disabilities and older adults
know one another and can help bridge the gap!
Inclusive Meetings and
Workshops
• Participant-led location and time selection
• Interactive components
• Complex ideas in simple words
Chief of Engagement
• Studies, capital projects and long range planning focus.
• Ongoing engagement and communication with riders
• Collaboration and coordination within the agency,
specifically inreach opportunities
– Training and educational opportunities for front line staff
Inclusive planning
• Places the user at the center of the planning process
• Allows for a more complete understanding of the user
experience
• Takes into account the needs of the user, and empowers
the user to make decisions
Continuing the conversation
• Commit to inclusive transportation in your agency
• Identify staff who want to participate
• Source from within to help