Tag Archive: transportation

  1. Report: The impact of automated transport on disabled people

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    Source: TRL Limited

    UK transportation committee TRL Limited (TRL) and the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) have produced a report on the topic of automated transport’s impact on disabled people, with funding from the Motability Foundation.

    It has been reported that in the context of automated transport, accessibility is often less prioritised with new technology and services, due to the need for rapid deployment and return of investment. This report has been produced to help prevent accessibility slipping down the radar with the objective to “support the development of inclusive automated transport technologies and services by understanding the needs, perceptions and challenges faced by disabled people.

    Research questions

    The following were explored with stakeholder engagement, disability organisations, automated technology developers and transport operators, focus groups and a survey with disabled people and usability trials of two existing automated services:

    • Identify the benefits of automated transport for disabled people.
    • Identify and prioritise the challenges faced by disabled people with automated transport.
    • Identify the extent to which accessibility is currently being considered in the design and development of automated transport technologies and services, including any good practice examples.
    • Identify design principles and recommended solutions to support the design, development and implementation of inclusive automated transport.

    Challenges for disabled people

    Disabled participants noted many positives of automated transport but their answers also raised many challenges that they face. It is believed that the barriers that exist for them with non-automated transport will continue to exist for automated transport, e.g. buying tickets. The results imply that it is not just the vehicle itself that needs to improved for accessibility, but also surrounding infrastructure including digital systems and interfaces, information provision, transfers to other transportation and the built environment. Findings also implicate that there’s a diverse range of barriers for different people which needs to be accommodated for, and that the licensing needs to be more clear about eligibility.

    Stakeholder feedback

    A representative of 28 stakeholders from industry and disability organisations were interviewed. Themes that were identified included:

    • Support was expressed towards designing automated vehicles for the differing needs of disabled people, however a one-size fit all approach isn’t commercially viable for disabled people with differing needs and barriers.
    • There is not enough guidance on making automated transport more accessible, which risks accessibility being inconsistent across different services.
    • There needs to be more inclusiveness for different customer groups however there was an inconsistency in results reporting.
    • Some operators and technology services have already launched features to enhance non-automated transport services, which can also be used for automated services.

    Recommendations

    The study recommends that a clear and comprehensive framework of regulation and policy is needed to deliver market direction, guidance and incentives for providing accessible automation. It has also advised specific objectives to help tackle challenges that have been identified in the results.

  2. Mobility study on Parisian residents published

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    Source: Paris Region Institute, D. Nguyen-Luong

    The Paris Region Institute has announced findings from its GPS Mobility (EMG) survey, conducted eighteen months after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This study looks at the mobility activities of Parisians from October 2022 to April 2023, compiled to help define and improve urban planning and transportation in the Île-de-France region, which houses the city of Paris and surrounding areas. The sample number of participants consisted of 3,337 residents aged 16-80, who used a GPS tracker to record their weekly mobility trips.

    Estimated daily mobility numbers

    The most traveling occurs during the working week of Monday to Friday, with 34.5 million trips taking place, which then decreases to 29 million on Saturday, then 19 million on Sunday, respectively.

    Vehicle modes commonly used

    The car is used the most in the outer suburbs, and for city residents, public transport is the most common form of transportation. In terms of the bicycle, this vehicle represents 30% of trips in the Île-de-France region, with more city residents using them than the car.

    The unique nature of mobility on Friday

    On Friday, the survey has found that the amount of people entering and leaving the Île-de-France region triples in comparison to Monday. Also, it is the day that the largest proportion of people work from home (40%), instead of commuting to work.

    Weekend mobility results

    It has been revealed that during this period, more residents use the car and less use public transportation compared to the working week. Modal use of the car rises from 34% to 42% and public transport use decreases from 26% to 18%.

    Origin of users traveling on Paris’ BP ring road

    The Boulevard Périphérique (BP) is a famous road that borders the city of Paris, and is thought to be one of the busiest roads in France. The study found that 80% of those that use it, live outside of the city itself.

    More findings from the study can be accessed here. The Paris Region Institute also plans to conduct a weekly mobility study for 2024-2025, to expand on its mobility research.

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