Accessible Transport: Key Issues for Less-Wealthy Countries

One of the most significant trends in the field of accessible transport and mobility has been the increased interest in universal design of transport systems in the developing world. In response to increased advocacy, there has been significant growth in the incorporation of accessibility features into public transportation systems in many Latin American, Asian, and other countries which are less wealthy than their European or North American counterparts. It is now possible to speak of "regional trends" in areas of the world in which, as little as a decade ago, there was little thought given to the universal design of transport facilities. Transportation professionals, disability advocates, and other stakeholders in these countries have identified a number of key issues in the development of their accessible transport systems. While some of these issues are common to all countries, others are unique to developing countries with enormous and rapidly growing urban populations as well as large rural populations. Such issues include the modification of large but under funded bus and rail systems serving populations which are highly dependent on public transport, critical issues of access to the built environment which need to be addressed in order to provide accessible trip chains, and the challenge of creating an acceptable level of door-to-door transportation for those unable to use fixed route transportation. In addition, issues of social equity must be addressed, including common concerns facing persons with disabilities, children, women, and poor people. This paper will examine these and related issues as defined by stakeholders in less-wealthy countries, while also discussing innovative solutions in place or on the horizon in less wealthy regions as they consider cost-effective universal design features which in turn may assist all countries to provide better transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities in coming years.

• Corporate Authors:

  POLPLAN Company, Limited

  Nowolopki 1079
  Warsaw,   Poland  00 153
• Authors:
  • Rickert, Thomas
• Conference:
  • Transed 2001. Towards Safety, Independence and Security. 9th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People
  • Location: Warsaw , Poland
  • Date: 2001-7-2 to 2001-7-5
• Publication Date: 2001

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: CD-ROM; Figures;
• Pagination: 7p
• Monograph Title: Transed 2001. Towards Safety, Independence and Security. 9th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Cost effectiveness; Design; Door to door service; Fixed routes; Innovation; Mobility; Public transit; Transportation disadvantaged persons; Transportation planning
• Identifier Terms: Transed
• Geographic Terms: Asia; Latin America
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01018897
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 15 2006 9:03AM