Promoting Accessibility in Transport By: Ziad Nakat Transport Specialist, MNSSD June17 th, 2009

Transport and Disability Transport part of the problem, particularly road crashes: Transport part of the problem, particularly road crashes: 5% of DALY loss in MENA in 2002, and 8% in % of DALY loss in MENA in 2002, and 8% in rd cause for DALY loss in MENA in 2002, and 1 st in 2030!! 3 rd cause for DALY loss in MENA in 2002, and 1 st in 2030!! Transport part of the solution: Inclusive transport systems are very critical in reducing the isolation, vulnerability, and dependency of people with disability; by providing increased: Transport part of the solution: Inclusive transport systems are very critical in reducing the isolation, vulnerability, and dependency of people with disability; by providing increased: Accessibility Accessibility Mobility Mobility

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities An international benchmark – entered into force in May 2008 An international benchmark – entered into force in May countries signed or ratified convention, of which 15 in MENA 181 countries signed or ratified convention, of which 15 in MENA Article 9 on accessibility is particularly relevant to transportation: Article 9 on accessibility is particularly relevant to transportation: Eliminate obstacles and ensure access Eliminate obstacles and ensure access Improve communication and information Improve communication and information Develop and implement Standards and Guidelines to promote accessibility Develop and implement Standards and Guidelines to promote accessibility

Bank Transport Sector Involvement Bank/Transport Sector efforts have been limited so far: Bank/Transport Sector efforts have been limited so far: Very few studies: (brief strategy, BRT guidelines, inclusive access) Very few studies: (brief strategy, BRT guidelines, inclusive access) Technical assistance during rail and bus projects (BRT in Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico and Chile) Technical assistance during rail and bus projects (BRT in Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico and Chile) Bank Projects? Bank Projects? => There is need for more IBRD and IFC involvement

Typical Transport Solutions Source: Roberts and Babinard

Promoting Accessibility in Transport: Answering the ‘Where’ Question Urban Transport a major area for involvement: Urban Transport a major area for involvement: Urban infrastructure Urban infrastructure Transport Services and Public Transportation Transport Services and Public Transportation Potential for Railways and Airports/Ports Projects Potential for Railways and Airports/Ports Projects In rural/low density areas: encourage community driven development, such as customized mini-buses operated by NGOs In rural/low density areas: encourage community driven development, such as customized mini-buses operated by NGOs Sector focus on: Information, infrastructure, and vehicle design Sector focus on: Information, infrastructure, and vehicle design Easier to start in MICs & for new projects Easier to start in MICs & for new projects

Promoting Accessibility in Transport: Answering the ‘How’ Question Broaden definition of accessibility (disability, elderly, children…) Broaden definition of accessibility (disability, elderly, children…) Pillars for effective transport interventions: Pillars for effective transport interventions: Understanding of demand side, & reasonable timetable Understanding of demand side, & reasonable timetable Create awareness, foster Ownership, and define targets Create awareness, foster Ownership, and define targets Mobilize adequate resources Mobilize adequate resources Provide country specific technical interventions Provide country specific technical interventions Lessons to learn from Road Safety approach, which can be incorporated into Accessibility strategy Lessons to learn from Road Safety approach, which can be incorporated into Accessibility strategy

Disability Analysis & Reasonable Timetable Understanding the ‘demand’ side – A challenge for Transport professionals => Understanding the ‘demand’ side – A challenge for Transport professionals => Need to engage persons with disabilities and stakeholders (Accessibility? Safety? Affordability? Cultural?…) Need to engage persons with disabilities and stakeholders (Accessibility? Safety? Affordability? Cultural?…) Role of Social/Health colleagues for analysis & data collection Role of Social/Health colleagues for analysis & data collection Demand analysis should be done independent/ upfront of Projects and interventions Demand analysis should be done independent/ upfront of Projects and interventions => Country Disability Assessment: => Country Disability Assessment: Data collection on all aspects of disability, including Transport Data collection on all aspects of disability, including Transport Review of relevant laws and institutional framework Review of relevant laws and institutional framework Identification of stakeholders and NGOs Identification of stakeholders and NGOs

Awareness - Ownership - Targets Need for more Awareness in the Bank & among counterparts to the importance of accessibility => Need for supporting statistics and studies Need for more Awareness in the Bank & among counterparts to the importance of accessibility => Need for supporting statistics and studies Create Ownership and identify a Champion within Government Create Ownership and identify a Champion within Government Foster coordination among relevant stakeholders: Foster coordination among relevant stakeholders: Create effective, high level, multisectoral national council supported by a strong ‘technical’ secretariat Create effective, high level, multisectoral national council supported by a strong ‘technical’ secretariat Set reasonable & country specific targets, ensure accountability, and monitor progress Set reasonable & country specific targets, ensure accountability, and monitor progress Balance short term and long term targets Balance short term and long term targets

Adequate Resources Trust Funds or other grant financing resources: Trust Funds or other grant financing resources: To support studies and data collection To support studies and data collection To raise awareness in the Bank and among counterparts To raise awareness in the Bank and among counterparts To leverage other sources and donors interest To leverage other sources and donors interest Bank Resources to support Staff and consultants efforts in Project/TA preparation Bank Resources to support Staff and consultants efforts in Project/TA preparation => If adequate resources mobilized, strong potential for Transport Projects with Accessibility components, particularly in Urban Transport & Railways

Technical Solutions Universal Design: A concept, needs to be developed with country specific considerations Universal Design: A concept, needs to be developed with country specific considerations Compile case studies of best practice interventions => Guide for TTLs and Counterparts Compile case studies of best practice interventions => Guide for TTLs and Counterparts Have a sense of ‘cost & benefit’ – Accessibility solutions can be at relatively low marginal cost Have a sense of ‘cost & benefit’ – Accessibility solutions can be at relatively low marginal cost Prepare specific Guidelines and technical solutions Prepare specific Guidelines and technical solutions BRT, Trains, low frequency equipped buses BRT, Trains, low frequency equipped buses Sidewalks design and construction, signs crosswalks Sidewalks design and construction, signs crosswalks Incorporate accessibility provisions into TORs and technical specifications Incorporate accessibility provisions into TORs and technical specifications