Authors

Tetsuo Akiyama

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Mobility - Accessibility (Disability), Mobility - Accessibility Planning (Disability), Mobility - Disability Discrimination Act

Abstract

There are two major trends concerning policies for and growth of Local Transport Systems for the elderly and disabled. The first is that conditions that prevent social participation by the disabled have been deemed discriminatory in legal terms, and especially in such countries as the US, Canada and Sweden, this trend has become pronounced. The second trend is that policies and technologies to promote social participation by the elderly and disabled in terms of transport have become much more concrete. This trend has two aspects, on of which is special measures. These include the operation of Special Transport Services (STS) for elderly and disabled people who cannot utilize conventional transport, and measures to support people who can get around by car. The other aspect has arisen from the viewpoint of Universal Design. It inclines toward design technologies (accessible design, usability, safety) that enable the elderly and disabled to utilize conventional transport, user and supply side subsidies, and social inclusion, to enable mobility on a part with that of able-bodied people, through information services. Additionally, at present, development is starting to incline toward filling the gap between measures for such STS and measures for public transport such as buses and trains. In specific terms, a search has begun for new policy directions through DRT (Demand Responsive Transport) systems, notably the Swedish service route and the European "Flex' route. The purpose of this research, which concerns five countries, the US, Canada, Sweden, UK and Japan, is firstly, after summarizing the characteristics of systems in each country, to clarify how human rights issues such as anti-discrimination legislation, which are deeply related to mobility problems among the elderly and disabled, have become linked to mobility issues. Secondly, it's purpose is to clarify how such matters as related STS and ensuring access to public transport, which have become the impetus for development of Local Transport Systems, have developed. Specifically, such experiences in Europe and America will provide hints regarding future directions to be chosed in developing countires in Asia, South America and Africa.