SETTING STANDARDS FOR THE ACCESSIBLE

The European Commission (EC) has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to issuing a Directive on improving access to rail services for passengers with reduced mobility. The European COST 335 research programme on such accessibility is due to report in October 1999; it seems to favour boarding devices installed on trains and level access. As one COST participant, the UK Government has already introduced the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, which came into force on 1 November 1998, and contain detailed measures for making rail travel practical for disabled people; they apply to all new rolling stock introduced after 31 December 1998. For example, public address systems for audible and visible announcements must be fitted inside a passenger saloon, and visual displays must be provided outside. At least one toilet per trainset must be fully accessible, and at least eight seats or 10% of seats in any one vehicle must have priority for use by disabled people. A ramp or lift must be fitted to each wheelchair-accessible doorway, and each side of a vehicle with wheelchair accommodation must be at least one such doorway. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) conducted a cost-benefit analysis in the preceding consultation process, and suppliers are beginning to provide suitable products.

• Availability:
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• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

  Quadrant House, The Quadrant
  Brighton Road
  Sutton, Surrey  United Kingdom  SM2 5AS
• Authors:
  • ARMITAGE, R W
• Publication Date: 1999-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 24-5
• Serial:
  • Railway Gazette International
  • Volume: 155
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: DVV Media Group
  • ISSN: 0373-5346
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwaygazette.com/about-us.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Benefit cost analysis; Equipment; Federal government; Information display systems; Legislation; Passenger information systems; Persons with disabilities; Policy; Public transit; Railroad transportation; Seats; Vehicles; Visual display units
• Identifier Terms: European Commission; European Union
• Uncontrolled Terms: Visual display
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 9139: Accessibility; 226: Cost benefit analysis; 1726: Disabled person; 3674: Equipment; 8303: EU; 183: Government (national); 1556: Legislation; 8786: Passenger information; 173: Policy; 744: Public transport; 1173: Rail bound transport; 1388: Seat (veh); 8119: United Kingdom; 1255: Vehicle; 8630: Visual display
• Subject Areas: Law; Policy; Public Transportation; Railroads; Society; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00767154
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Aug 6 1999 12:00AM