Accessible Railways in Europe: Recommendations from the Cost 335 European Research Action

The railways in Europe have a long history which explains the existence of many barriers in access to the station and to the trains. There is an important economic case for the railway industry and public authorities responsible for transport, for accessibility to disabled and elderly travelers. The population who have mobility difficulties is growing and share the same needs and desires as the rest of Europe's citizens to travel for business and leisure. The COST 335 project, initiated by the European Commission, has been a collaborative effort of experts from seventeen countries and four international organizations. It reflects the views from the railway operating and manufacturing industries as well as those of disabled people who have been consulted on it. This paper will outline the most significant recommendations gathered in the final report on the design of rolling stock and stations, on the information to be provided before the travel, onboard the train and after the travel, then on staff training and disability awareness. The issue of platform heights is much controversial as there is a wide variation across Europe and even within a country. The COST project has attempted to recommend a long term strategy, making clear that ultimately only level access is truly acceptable. In the mean time, examples of good solutions for bridging the gap between the station platform and the train coach. The report concludes that there is a significant potential market for accessible rail travel in Europe, and the railway industry cannot the gains that it can gain from taking these issues seriously.

• Corporate Authors:

  POLPLAN Company, Limited

  Nowolopki 1079
  Warsaw,   Poland  00 153
• Authors:
  • Dejeammes, Maryvonne
  • Frye, Ann
  • Kurt Hultgren, Kurt
• 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; References;
• 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; Mobility; Rail transit; Railroad stations; Railroads; Rolling stock; Train operations; Transportation disadvantaged persons; Travel
• Identifier Terms: European Commission; Transed
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01018898
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 15 2006 9:03AM