Methodology for the Development of a Disability Strategy at Passenger Stations

Abstract

In the last decade, considerable funds have been dedicated to the modernization of passenger stations in order to adapt them to the needs of all travelers. Th anks to the adoption of universal design principles, as well as technical specifi cations for interoperability connected with the accessibility of rail transport for the disabled, many facilities are now equipped with fully-accessible infrastructural elements used by travelers. Despite this, stations do not adopt any access strategies along with traffi c rules, which is required by the applicable EU law and domestic regulations. Th e article refers to a method of collecting data required for the elaboration of such documentation for every passenger station, which has been developed by the Railway Research Institute. It also evokes a bill on the provision of accessibility to persons with special needs, adopted by the Council of Ministers in June 2019. Previous eff orts of railways aimed at improving the availability of this branch of transport correspond to the requirements arising from this act.