DISABILITY AND MOBILITY IN LONDON A FOLLOW-UP TO THE LONDON AREA TRAVEL SURVEY TECHNICAL REPORT

This report describes the results of the survey of 2,417 people identified in the London Area Travel Survey (LATS) as having a physical disability or long-standing health problem that made travelling difficult. The data analysis shows that many of the respondents had difficulty walking even quite short distances or standing for more than a few minutes. Four out of five of those who were able to walk had difficulties negotiating steps and more than half had problems with balance. Vehicular use was examined by category of respondent. It was found that there were substantial differences in trip rates by age and by type of mobility aid used. The highest vehicular trip rates were recorded by young people (80 per cent above the average for the whole sample); the lowest were recorded by people who used walking frames (less than half the overall sample average). Many of the respondents faced difficulties when using vehicular transport and for some the problems had caused them to stop using particular modes altogether. Local buses were most commonly criticized for difficulties when boarding and alighting. Underground and British Rail were more often criticized for inaccessible infrastructure rather than inappropriate vehicles. Special services (Dial-a-Ride, Mobility Bus and the Taxicard Scheme) were minority modes but, nonetheless of considerable importance to some people, particularly the more severely disabled. The concluding section of the report looks at satisfaction with travel and suggests that a substantial proportion of the sample would make more journeys were vehicles and infrastructure more accessible.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09684093
• Corporate Authors:

  TRL

  Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride
  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom  RG40 3GA
• Authors:
  • OXLEY, P
  • Alexander, J
• Publication Date: 1994

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 128 p.
• Serial:
  • TRL PROJECT REPORT
  • Issue Number: PR 34
  • Publisher: TRL
  • ISSN: 0968-4093

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Automobiles; Buses; Interviewing; Minibuses; Mobility; Persons with disabilities; Public transit; Railroad transportation; Taxicabs; Urban areas
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Railroads; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00665370
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 9 1994 12:00AM