Improving accessibility to bus systems for elderly people

by Nick Tyler, Natasha Brown and Jenny Lynas

Abstract

This paper discusses the problems felt by elderly people in an urban environment which is dominated by the car. It is difficult to cross the road, or reach and use public transport because of the problems of getting around often encountered by elderly people. Recently, design initiatives - such as the introduction of low-floor buses - have become increasingly common, but it is less common to find the associated infrastructure improvements that are necessary in order to obtain a satisfactory level of accessibility: it is not much use having a low-floor bus if people cannot reach it. The paper starts with a general discussion of the accessibility concept which has driven this research.

A hypothetical example is then discussed which shows how the policy objectives which arise from taking this concept on board would be implemented on-street in a small town. This implementation requires changes to bus routes and service frequencies and also to the associated infrastructure of bus stops and footways. Finally, the case of an operational example of an accessible route in London is used to show how the route design was undertaken in practice. The paper suggests that it is possible to design accessible public transport routes based on users’ needs in a way that gives elderly people more and easier travel opportunities.

If you wish to receive a copy of this paper or leave a comment, please fill in the form below, including your email address if a reply is required. Select the Submit button to send the form.

(Back to the Accessibility and Public Transport publications page)

Return to the Centre for Transport Studies site or to UCL home page.
Please note that any views expressed here do not necessarily reflect UCL College policy. No claim is made, explicit or implied, about the suitability of any data presented here for any purpose. All rights are reserved by individual members of the Dept., the Dept. itself, or UCL as appropriate, unless otherwise indicated. Any links to pages provided by individuals in the department are done so on the understanding that they agree to abide by the College and draft UCL Guidelines.

Last updated Oct '99

Please send any comments or queries about this web site to the webmaster