Current Scenario in the city Infrastructure : Improving Travel in Metro/Rail Transport sector for Differently-ABLED Passengers By R.K.SHARMA,IRSEE Executive Director/MMRC 9th Dec, 2017

RAPID URBAN GROWTH-Stress on City Infrastructure: In India, as per 2011 census figures out of the total population of 121 Cr, about 37.7 Cr are in urban areas. Growth rate of population in urban areas was 31.8%. Urban population of the country stands at 31.6%. There is an increase of 2774 towns & million + cities increased from 35 in 2001 to 53 in 2011. Cities expanding and yesterday’s Suburban are becoming today’s Urban. So the NEED for EEFECTIVE TRANSPORTAION: More need to be sensitive to ensure that Transportation barriers do not affect Differently-abled people .

Abled or Differently Abled We are all physically disabled at some time in our lives. A child, a person with a broken leg, an elderly person, etc. are all disabled in one way or another. As far as the built-up environment is concerned, it is important that it should be barrier-free and adapted to fulfill the needs of all people equally: Abled or Differently Abled

OBJECTIVE: To create a User-Friendly Mass Transport System which ensures Equal accessibility to Differently abled persons. Design standards for “Universal Access to Public Transport Infrastructure” (a) ‘Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for persons with Disability and Elderly Persons’ issued by Ministry of Urban Development in Aug 2016. (b) Model Building Bye-Laws, 2015. (c) NBC, 2005. We all need to work to realize human rights and development for Differently-abled persons by removing Barriers to ensure Equal access.

Stations: Station Entry/Exit & Level Approach: Station Entry/Exit to have a minimum width of 1800mm. Approach route should not have level differences. If the station is not on the same level as the walkway or pathway, it should have a ramp. Approach walkway should have tactile pavements for persons with visual impairments.

Stations: b) Reservation & Information Counters: Should have clear space of at least 900 mm x 1200 mm in front of the counters. There should be at least one low counter at a low height of 750 mm to 800 mm from the floor with clear knee space of 750 mm (H) by 900 mm (W) by 480 mm (D). Counters should have pictographic maps indicating all the services and preferably one of the counter staff should be sign language literate.

Stations: c) Automatic Fare Collection Gates: At least one of the ticket gates should: Be minimum 900 mm wide to allow a wheelchair user through; and Have a continuous line of guiding paver for people with visual impairments.

Stations: d) Platforms: The Platforms should : Have a row of warning paver installed 600mm before the track edge. Have seating areas for people with ambulatory disabilities. Be well illuminated lux level 35 to 40 & Non slip flooring. There should preferably be no difference in level between the train entry door and the platform and the gap shall be not more than 12 mm. All platforms should inter-connect by means of an accessible routes or lifts; and provide accessible level entrance to the train coach. It is recommended to install a row of tactile guidance paver along the entire length of the proposed accessible route for visual impaired persons. Tactile Paths

Stations: e) Way Finding & Signages: Way finding references should be available at decision points. Signs must be clear, concise, and consistent. All travelers need clear information about the purpose and layout of terminals to maintain a sense of direction and independent use of all Facilities. Way finding signages Various Signages

Stations: f) AUDIO-VISUAL DISPLAYS: Terminal maps should be prominently placed so that they are readily visible to persons who use wheelchairs. They should also be accessible to persons with a visual disability (i.e. tactile maps). g) STEPS & STAIRS: Steps should be uniform with tread not less than 300 mm & the risers as 150mm. All steps should be fitted with a permanent colour and should have continuous handrails on both sides . Warning paver to be placed 300mm at the beginning/end of all stairs. The staircase should be adequately illuminated. The level of illumination should preferably fall between 100-150 lux. There should be no more than 12 risers in one flight run.

Stations: h) Other amenities inside stations: i) Car Parking: The accessible route of 1200 mm width is required for wheelchair users . The accessible car parking lot should have dimensions 5000 mm × 3600 mm; Toilets: At least one of the urinals should have grab bars to support ambulant persons with disabilities (for example, people using mobility aids like crutches). For persons with low vision and vision impairments: male pictogram in triangle and female pictogram in circle, marked on plates along with Braille & raised alphabets at height between 1400mm-1600mm Tactile paver to be provided for urinals and washbasins for persons with vision impairments

Lifts/Elevators: Lift locations should be clearly signposted from the main pedestrian route . Changes in floor finish must be flushed. There should be no level difference between lift door and the floor surface at each level & the gap not more than 12mm. Provisions of at least one lift shall be made for people using wheelchairs with Clear internal depth -1500 mm minimum, Clear internal width - 1500 mm minimum & Entrance door width - 900 mm minimum. Call buttons should be with Braille & in 80-100 cm range from floor. Control buttons should be on side wall inside lift. Lifts to have audio (750 db) & visual floor level indicators.

Rolling Stock/Trains: There should be provision of Wheeled chairs at stations. Railway car doors & aisles should be at least 900 mm wide. Gap between the car doors and platform should be less than 12 mm. Space for a wheel chair should be available at the side of the door. Wheel stoppers and ring-strap should be provided for wheelchair users. An appropriate number of designated seats for passengers with disabilities and elderly people should be provided near the doors. Beep sound at coach location (for visually impaired)

KEY FACTORS in RAIL TRAVEL Apart from level of accessibility, key factors are: How well trained station staff are How much willing they are to assist How much information was communicated within station

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