Identified difficulties in bus boarding and disembarking: Causes and Solutions

Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo

Identified difficulties in bus boarding and disembarking: Causes and Solutions

Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental AccessSchool of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo

June 6th, 2012


OverviewThis presentation summarizes the problems we identified through our research and our ideas for improvements to bus design that could solve the problems. There are four categories of problems identified: Ramp, Fare Payment, Navigation in Bus, and Seating.

Each problem is coded based on which group of people encountered that particular problem. Each solution is coded based on the level of effort required for implementing the solution in the case of bus features, or, other system changes that would be required to implement the solution.


Key to Codes

2 = Development of new product or improved product required3 = Major R&D needed4 = Bus stop related 5 = Service or business practice change

Recommended Improvement Codes

VI = Visually ImpairedMWC = Manual WheelchairPWC = Power WheelchairWA= Walker Assisted ?S = Scooter

User Type Codes

1 = Easy to accomplish (Implementation Goal)


Ramp (1/2)

Walking / rolling off the ramp during boarding and disembarking

Ramp curb height ineffective/insufficient (VI, MWC, PWC, S)

Lack of auditory cues (VI)

3 Robotic/automatic docking to ensure consistent ramp position4 Tactile locator at bus-stops to identify loading

area

Issue

Recommended Improvements1 Beacon on bus to assist people with visual impairments in identifying ramp position


Ramp (2/2)

Instability on ramps Physical strength and motor control required to maintain

balance (MWC, WA)

Issue

3 Fold out handrails to provide support feature for entire ramp’s length4 Platform boarding3 Reduce ramp slope by using advanced folding structure: draw-bridge door, telescopic or roll-out ramps

Recommended Improvements1 Improved handrail configuration to provide manual wheelchair users better grip


Fare Payment (1/5)

Handling fare-card / money Usually engages dominant hand (All individuals) Requires good motor control of hand (All individuals)

5 Fare payment completed at bus stop5 Free smartcards for people with vision disabilities5 RFID embedded in fare card – smart card3 Facial recognition to register smart payment5 Free fares for people with severe disabilities

Recommended Improvements

Issue


Fare Payment (2/5)

Locating the farebox Lack of tactile guide leading to farebox (VI)

Issue

2 Card-reader embedded in the hand-rail3 RFID embedded in fare card – smart card

Recommended Improvements1 Rail (with tactile feedback) guiding to the fare-box


Fare Payment (2/5)

Completing the actual fare payment Paying with a card or money

Issue

2 RFID embedded in fare card – smart card 2 Card-reader embedded in the hand-rail



Fare Payment (3/5)

Roll-back during payment on 1:6 sloped ramp Proximity of fare-box to the ramp (MWC)

Issue

Recommended Improvements1 Position fare-box behind the driver (over the wheel-well)3 Use of dash-board mounted fare-box


Fare Payment (4/5)

Fare payment slot out of comfortable reach zone lack of knee and toe clearance which limits a forward approach

Require extending if too high for some seated individuals (MWC, PWC, S)

Require trunk twisting since located at the turn (MWC, PWC, S)

visual feedback and screen location is outside the line of sight (MWC, PWC, S)

2 Card-reader embedded in the hand-rail2 Prominent feedback on fare payment (e.g. fare-box lights up/change color)

Issue

Recommended Improvements1 Fare payment option on both sides


Fare Payment (5/5)

Targeted contact required for successful payment Sensor requires targeted contact (VI, MWC, PWC, S)

Issue


2 Prominent feedback on fare payment (e.g. fare-box lights up/change color)

1 Card proximity sensor on the fare-box / door


Navigation within bus (1/7)

For rear entrance: identifying intersection of aisle and ramp No feedback on reaching the aisle-ramp juncture (VI)

2 Continuous handrail from doorway to seats with fused stanchions

Issue

Recommended Improvements1 Contrast colored / textured aisle to identify ramp-aisle juncture



Bumping into the inner wheel-well edge Sharp turn (MWC, PWC, S)

1 Rounding off the wheel-well at the turn

Issue




Space while moving in the bus (roll over people’s feet) Insufficient aisle width(WA, MWC, PWC, S)

Issue

Recommended Improvements5 Training for wheeled mobility users



Fitting walking aids in the aisle with forward facing seat

Insufficient aisle width(WA, MWC, PWC, S)

Issue

Recommended Improvements5 Training and advice on types of walking aids



Locating / hitting stanchions and hand holds No environmental cue (VI)

3 Environmental assistance in conjunction with smart

device on passengers (light, sound, haptic feedback)

5 Training on specific bus designs

Issue




Finding vacant seat No environmental cues except fellow passengers(VI)

2 Smartphone activated beacon to identify vacant seats2 Handrail used to signal presence of empty

seat (vibration, air pressure through perforation, texture change, width change)

2 Auditory cue from floor sensors in front of empty seat (WEB LINK)

2 Focused audio signaling vacant seats (WEB LINK)

Issue

Recommended Improvements2 Pressure sensor embedded in the seat

activates “occupied” signal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

http://www.ted.com/talks/woody_norris_invents_amazing_things.html



Turning WC/scooter within the bus Space insufficient (especially in high

conditions) (MWC, PWC, S)

2 Fold-down seats (instead of fold-up) to provide more free floor area3 Relocate door away from wheel wells3 Increase door width3 Door hinges down to become ramp

Issue



Seating (1/6)

Inadequate leg room (forward facing seats) Seats spacing inadequate (WA, VI)

5 additional space for larger individuals, also for the elderly and those with mobility problems which affects sitting and rising

Issue



Seating (2/6)

Getting up from the seat (specially side facing) No hand supports (WA)

2 Fold-down arm-rest on priority seats

Issue



Seating (3/6)

Storing the device Insufficient space in the seating area (have to encroach

aisle space) (WA)

2 Velcro tie down on side of seat to secure walkers5 Storing racks for walkers over wheel-wells

Issue

Recommended Improvements1 Storage space between seat and wheelchair tie down for side facing seats1 Increase legroom between transverse seats


Seating (4/6)

Finding lever to lift the seat Lack of environmental cues pointing to it (MWC, PWC,

S)

1 Markings (on seat / floor) directing to seat lever

Issue



Seating (5/6)

Effort required to operate the lever limited range of motion / strength requirement (MWC,

PWC, S)

1 Change direction of force required to operate lever (pull up seat = pull up handle to unlock)

Issue

Recommended Improvements1 Change lever design for easy grip


Seating (6/6)

Bumping into securement and seats No feedback on wheelchair location in relation to

securement (MWC, PWC, S)

1 Environmental cues to guide device location, e.g.

markings on floor

Issue


Photo i not right…it should show a person trying to get into the securement area not in the aisle.


Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental AccessSchool of Architecture & PlanningState University of New York at Buffalo378 Hayes Hall | 3435 Main StreetBuffalo, NY 14214 – 3087

Funded by:The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) through the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Accessible Public Transportation (RERC-APT) and the United States Access Board


Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental AccessSchool of Architecture & PlanningState University of New York at Buffalo378 Hayes Hall | 3435 Main StreetBuffalo, NY 14214 – 3087

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Identified difficulties in bus boarding and disembarking: Causes and Solutions

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