Adelaide Metro

Part No:

Item

Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport - Progress Report

2

Access Paths

Objective: To provide access paths that support unhindered passage along walkways, ramps or landings for people with disabilities.

Current Outcomes: All access paths related to the provision of passenger transport services and infrastructures are being progressively upgraded in accordance with the requirements of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002. South Australia is currently meeting the requirements contained within the 2012 compliance schedule of the Standards for access paths.

Examples can be found at the new Mawson Interchange and across all new works taking place within the Adelaide Metro service region.

3

Manoeuvring Areas

Objective: To create manoeuvring areas that provides circulation space for a wheelchair to turn 180 degrees.

Current Outcomes: Manoeuvring areas are being actively provided where possible. Where space prohibits provision of a ‘manoeuvring area’, direct assistance will be provided. South Australia is currently meeting the requirements contained within the 2012 compliance schedule for manoeuvring areas as set out in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.

Examples can be found at all infrastructure upgraded since the introduction of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002.

4

Passing Areas

Objective: A passing area must have a minimum width of 1800 mm to ensure people using mobility aids can pass each other

Current Outcomes: Passing areas are an integral part of access paths. Please see comments above in relation to access paths.

5

Resting Points

Objective: There must be resting points for passengers along an access path where the walking distance between facilities or services exceeds 60 metres.

Current Outcomes: Resting points are an integral part of access paths. Please see comments above in relation to access paths.

6

Ramps

Objective: To ensure the provision of ramps across all conveyances, premises and infrastructure conform to all the requirements of the Transport Standards.

Current Outcomes: All trains and new trams are provided with ramps, in addition all new buses introduced to the Adelaide metropolitan bus fleet since 1996 are fitted with ramps. The continual upgrading of infrastructure is also ensuring that access to services is improving. Each year increasing numbers of people with disabilities are accessing passenger transport services.

7

Waiting Areas

Objective: Where waiting areas are provided they must cater for all passengers.

Current Outcomes: The provision and modification of waiting areas to accommodate passengers with disabilities is progressing across the Adelaide metropolitan service region. Recognition of the importance of appropriate waiting areas for all passengers is ensuring that it this requirement is taken into consideration during all upgrades and new work taking place.

8

Boarding

Objective: All passengers must be able to board from a flat and level service to which a boarding device may be deployed.

Current Outcomes: All boarding points for which the Minister for Transport is responsible are being progressively upgraded to meet the required objective. Evidence of this can be found all across the Adelaide Metro service area.

The continual upgrading of infrastructure is ensuring that access to services is improving. Each year increasing numbers of people with disabilities are accessing passenger transport services. South Australia is currently meeting the requirements contained within the 2012 compliance schedule for boarding as set out in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002.

9

Allocated Space

Objective: A clearly defined access space is to be provided in conveyances, premises and infrastructure which measures 800 mm by 1300 mm for use by people with disabilities who require to travel with a mobility aid.

Current Outcomes: The provision of an allocated space is important for people with disabilities who travel with a mobility aid as it provides specific space that is built into the design of conveyances and infrastructure.

All existing trains, new trams and every new bus is meeting the spatial requirements for allocated spaces . South Australia is currently meeting the requirements contained within the 2012 compliance schedule for allocated space as set out in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.

10

Surfaces

 Objective: All ground and floor surfaces must comply with the required Australian Standard for slip resistance.

Current Outcomes: All existing conveyances and infrastructure meet the required Australian Standard for slip resistance. Current compliance levels exceed those required under the Transport Standards.

11

Handrails & Grab Rails

Objective: To comply with the required sections of the Disability Transport Standards as they relate to hand rails and grab rails.

Current Outcomes: Provision of handrails at required locations is progressing across all infrastructure and conveyances which in turn is assisting many passengers. Current progress is exceeding that required by the Transport Standards at this time.

12

Doorways & Doors

Objective : Doors along an access path must not present a barrier to independent passenger travel.

Current Outcomes: All doorways and doors comply with the minimum width as required under the Transport Standards.

13

Lifts

 Objective: All lifts must comply with the appropriate sections of Australian Standards as referenced in the Disability Transport Standards

Current Outcomes: The provision and modification of lifts that meet the appropriate sections of the required Australian Standard is progressing.

Compliant examples can be found at Mawson Interchange and Roma Mitchell House.

14

Stairs

 Objective: Stairs must not be the sole means of access and must comply with a range of Australian Standards as referenced in the Disability Transport Standards

Current Outcomes: Stairs will continue to be upgraded to the specifications required under the Transport Standards and supplemented with ramp access where possible.

15

Toilets

Objective: If toilets are provided for passengers, there must be at least one unisex accessible toilet without airlock.

Current Outcomes: Where toilets are provided for passengers, upgraded toilet facilities are being provided.

16

Symbols

Objective: The international symbols for accessibility and deafness must be used to identify an access path and which facilities and boarding points are accessible.

Current Outcomes: Use of the international symbols for accessibility and deafness are being placed appropriately across the Adelaide metropolitan service area as part of the continual upgrading of conveyances, premises and infrastructure.

17

Signs

Objective: Signs must comply with a range of Australian Standards as referenced in the Disability Transport Standards

Current Outcomes: The process of replacing old signage is taking place gradually across the Adelaide Metropolitan service area as part of the continual upgrading of conveyances, premises and infrastructure.

18

Tactile Indicators

 Objective: Tactile ground surface indicators must be installed on an access path to indicate stairways, ramps, changes of direction, overhead obstructions below a height of 2000 mm, and hazards within a circulation space or adjacent to a path of travel

Current Outcomes: The placement of tactile ground surface indicators is progressing in accordance with the required objectives contained within the Disability Transport Standards. Current indications are that the requirements contained under the Transport Standards will be met by September 2012.

19

Alarms

Objective: Where installed, emergency warning systems must be capable of providing for people with vision impairment to locate the exit path in the event of an emergency.

Current Outcomes: Compliance with this objective presents a range of technical difficulties that are difficult to overcome in an open environment such as a bus interchange or the Adelaide railway station.

20

Lighting

 Objective: Lighting provided within conveyances and infrastructure must comply with minimum levels of maintenance illumination for various situations in accordance with the required objectives contained within the Disability Transport Standards

Current Outcomes: The provision of required lighting levels within conveyances and infrastructure is progressing.

Examples Lighting levels within 2000 Class rail cars significantly exceed the required DDA Transport Standards.

21

Controls

Objective: Passenger-operated devices for opening and closing manual and power‑ assisted doors on conveyances must comply with the required objectives contained within the Disability Transport Standards.

Current Outcomes: The ability to open doors independently is something many of us take for granted, for some people with disabilities this task can become a real barrier to independent travel. The above objective is designed to facilitate independent access. This aspect of travelling on public transport has been addressed in the provision of new trams and by direct assistance to passengers.

22

Furniture & Fitments

Objective: Tables, benches, counters and similar fixtures must comply with the required objectives contained within the Disability Transport Standards.

Current Outcomes: Appropriate heights for tables, benches, counters and similar fixtures ensure that people with disabilities are not disadvantaged in their dealings with others. Many customer service points have improved counter heights. However, more progress is required to be made in order to meet the compliance requirements within the DDA Transport Standards.

Examples of compliance with the requirements can be found at the Adelaide metro service centre which caters for over 700,000 visitors per year.

23

Street Furniture

 Objective: Seats in pedestrian areas must comply with the required objectives contained within the Disability Transport Standards.

Current Outcomes: The provision of seating in pedestrian areas needs to be provided with consideration for the special requirements of the elderly and those with disabilities. Compliance with these objectives is being achieved at many locations. Examples may be found at the Mawson Interchange and along the Glenelg to Adelaide tramline .

24

Gateways

Objective: The width of an accessible gateway must be at least 850 mm

Current Outcomes: The requirement for an accessible gateway being at least 850 mm wide is based on people using mobility aides. Compliance with this objective has been fully achieved at the Adelaide Railway Station.

25

Payment of Fares

Objective : Fare payment and ticket validation systems must not require actions from passengers with disabilities that exceed the requirements for other passengers

Current Outcomes: The current ticket validation system does not require actions from passengers with disabilities that exceed the requirements for other passengers.

Efforts to assist passenger who experience difficulties with the current ticketing system include issuing a mobility pass does not require validation. In addition the creation of the Plus One Free Companion Card is assisting people with travelling as a carer for a person with a disability to travel for free.

26

Hearing Augmentation

Objective : Where a public address system is installed people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment must be able to receive a message equivalent to the message received by people without a hearing impairment.

Current Outcomes: The provision of public address systems on railways platforms and within conveyances poses special difficulties for those who are deaf or hearing impaired. To address these difficulties hearing loops and visual display systems are being introduced across the network.

27

Information

Objective: General information about transport services must be accessible to all passengers.

Current Outcomes: General information is available to all passengers. Passengers needing to access to information in a particular format are invited to contact the Adelaide Metro information centre on 82101000. People with a hearing impaired are invited to use the TTY service by phoning 8303 0844

28

Booked Services

Objective: There are no booked services on the Adelaide Metro Network

Current Outcomes: N/A

29

Food and Drink Services

Objective: Operators and providers must ensure that any food or drink service that is provided as part of a public transport service are equally available to all passengers

Current Outcomes: The provision of food and drink service is not part of the provision of public transport services. However, the location of food and drink dispensers on platforms and other transport related infrastructure is being given attention to ensure equity of access for all passengers.

30

Belongings

Objective: Disability aids (for example, equipment and apparatus including mobility, technical and medical aids) are to be carried in addition to normal baggage allowances.

Current Outcomes: All Government funded providers and operators of passenger transport services are aware of and comply with this objective. T here are no baggage allowances imposed on passengers using Adelaide Metro public transport conveyances

31

Priority Seating

Objective: Operators must designate at least 2 of the seats provided on their unbooked conveyances as priority seating for passengers with disabilities and other groups in need of special assistance (for example, the aging).

Current Outcomes: The provision ofpriority seating for passengers with disabilities and others in need of special assistance such as the elderly is contributing to their comfort and ease of travel on public transport. Priority seating is available on all trains, all new trams and is progressively being introduced with each new bus purchased as part of the Government’s ongoing Bus Replacement Program.