Safety of Movement on Stairs: Recent Research Findings, Consumer Concerns, and Regulatory Developments

This paper describes how walking is the common form of movement and it is considered to be the prime way of getting from an origin to a destination. On longer trips walking can be an essential part of intermodal transfers. Sometimes walking may also be an important activity within a transportation component such as on a train or on an escalator whether moving or stationary. Stairs are often encountered in many of these situations; they are found in transportation terminals and in most buses, trains, and ships; many passenger aircraft have integral stairs for access, egress, and even internal circulation. In addition to impeding people with mobility impairments, stairs are often a handicap element for all users. Stairs are disruptive to all normal circulation in terms of the extra energy expenditure and awkward gait required. Stairs can also sites of serious accidents, some of which can lead to permanent disabilities. These problems are especially serious for elderly people who are more likely than younger people to be seriously injured, permanently disabled, or killed. This paper focused on several key aspects of stair design that relates to the fundamental problems in stair use that is faced by all users including perceiving the stairs, getting adequate footing, and having a hand hold for guidance, balance and arresting falls.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Canada

  1000 Sherbrooke Street, West, P.O. Box 549
  Montreal, Quebec  Canada  H3A 2R3
• Authors:
  • Pauls, Jake
• Conference:
  • The Fourth International Conference on Mobility and Transport for the Elderly and Disabled Persons
  • Location: Vancouver British Columbia, Canada
  • Date: 1986-7-21 to 1986-7-23
• Publication Date: 1986

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 872-893
• Monograph Title: Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference, Vancouver, Canada, July 21-23, 1986

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Crashes; Escalators; High risk drivers; Intermodal terminals; Origin and destination; Persons with disabilities; Policy; Stairs
• Identifier Terms: Transed
• Uncontrolled Terms: Disabled passengers; Transit vehicles
• Subject Areas: Policy; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01051503
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 7 2007 5:02PM