An Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Priority Seat in Transportation: Through a Comparative Study of Six Areas in Japan

Priority seat systems are widely introduced around the world to provide seats for elderly and disabled passengers as well as pregnant women and injured passengers. In Japan, such a system is recommended in the national guideline. However, the manners of using priority seats differ from country to country, and even among areas within a country. In a previous study, the authors examined the effectiveness of Sapporo Subway’s special seat system as compared to the priority seat system in subways in the Kanto area. In this present study, the authors will extend the research to other areas in Japan, namely the Sendai Namboku subway line, Kyoto Karasuma subway line, Kobe Saishin subway line, and Fukuoka Kuko line, to further examine the effectiveness of Sapporo’s special seat system. The authors conducted observation surveys in six areas including Sapporo and the Kanto area to check whether priority seats are used by targeted passengers such as elderly and disabled passengers. The authors collected numerical data in the six areas and compared how the seats are used by general passengers. As a result, the authors found that Sapporo subway’s special seat system stands out for its effectiveness. The authors also analyzed the responses to a questionnaire survey conducted in Sapporo and the Kanto area in the previous study. By combining all the findings, the authors will explore measures for an even more appropriate and effective usage of priority seats.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 15p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01763546
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: TRBAM-21-02252
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Feb 4 2021 10:54AM