Abstract
BackgroundDespite substantial investment in step-free access at UK railway stations, persons with reduced mobility (PRMs) continue to travel less than their able-bodied counterparts and little is known about the value of step-free access. This research examines the benefits of step-free access and its relationship with rail usage among PRMs, and the wider benefits of railway station accessibility.MethodsThese issues are explored through a mixed methods approach. Semi-structured interviews with ten key organisations were undertaken, as was an analysis of Senior/Disabled Persons Railcard data from 17 railway stations in Buckinghamshire, each with varying levels of step-free accessibility.ResultsThe results show that the benefits of step-free access extend beyond benefits at the individual level typically associated with those limited to PRMs, and demonstrate the potential to positively affect the society at large economically, environmentally, and socially. The findings also show a positive correlation between the level of step-free accessibility at a railway station and the percentage of PRMs using it.ConclusionsThis research argues that government and interested stakeholders should commit to expanding the number and coverage of step-free stations throughout the UK. They should ensure that the appraisal process for investment in step-free accessibility appropriately captures both user and non-user benefits.
Highlights
The mobility needs of older and disabled people are too often overlooked in transport planning, and they travel significantly less than their able-bodied counterparts [7, 26, 34, 35]
4 Results and discussion The results are divided into two strands: semi-structured interview feedback from the ten stakeholder organisations who provided expert knowledge of step-free access at UK railway stations and case study analysis of Senior/ Disabled Persons Railcard usage taken from the sample of 17 different stations
4.1 Benefits of step-free access: findings from thematic analysis 4.1.1 Defining step-free access Two of the ten respondents stated that their organisation believed there was no single, universal definition of stepfree access, agreeing that there was more than one school of thought
Summary
The mobility needs of older and disabled people are too often overlooked in transport planning, and they travel significantly less than their able-bodied counterparts [7, 26, 34, 35] This is most notably the case in the rail industry, where the divergence between the numbers of persons with reduced mobility (PRMs) using surface rail or the London Underground and people who have no mobility impairment is the greatest [14]. The Government’s Inclusive Transport Strategy [11] set out plans to make up to a further £300 million available to extend the programme until 2024 By this point, the Government’s expenditure on accessible railway stations will have totalled approximately one billion pounds. The Government’s expenditure on accessible railway stations will have totalled approximately one billion pounds This amount of transport infrastructure investment is subject to the DfT’s transport appraisal guidance criteria before funding is agreed [12]. This research examines the benefits of step-free access and its relationship with rail usage among PRMs, and the wider benefits of railway station accessibility
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