Design of a Bus-Station with a Facility for Wheelchairs to

Board and Alight a Bus

By

Oguntayo, Daniel Oluwafemi

08/30GB060
1.0 Introduction

Bus stop design and location is recognized as a crucial element in the

drive to improve the quality of bus services. The concept of 'Total
Journey Quality' recognizes that bus passengers are also pedestrians at
each end of the bus trip and requires that all aspects of the journey are
considered. The convenience and comfort of bus stops must not be
overlooked.
It is important to view the bus stop as an interchange, rather than
simply a location along a bus route where buses stop, comprising only
a post with a flag, and a cage laid on the road surface.
Bus stops must be located to allow passengers to board and alight
safely and conveniently. Ideally, they should also be situated near
places of particular need, such as local shops, libraries, clubs, health
facilities and sheltered houses. According to SEPTA (2012) a high-
quality transit stop is one that is well connected to the neighborhood or
community it serves, accommodates the needs of all transit
passengers safely and comfortably, and permits efficient and cost-
effective transit operations.

2.0 Fully Accessible Bus Services

An accessible station is a public transportation passenger station which
provides ready access, is usable and does not have physical barriers
that prohibit and/or restrict access by people with disabilities, including
those who use wheelchairs.
There are a number of bus configurations in operation, which need to
be considered. Flexibility should be provided in designs in recognition
that bus types using a stop may change as a result of service changes.
For example, articulated bus operation has been introduced on several
high volume services and passengers are able to board and alight
through all three sets of doors.
Low floor buses reduce the height differential between the kerb and
bus floor. Whilst they are generally seen as a means of improving
accessibility for passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair
users, all passengers benefit from low floor bus services.
Research conducted by Transport Research Laboratory (TRL Report
271) has shown that passengers with pushchairs benefit greatly from
the introduction of low floor buses. Thus, when designing bus stops for
low floor bus access, the needs of all passengers should be considered,
not just wheelchair users.

3.0 Design
3.1 Design Objectives
The bus stop layout will achieve the following objectives:
allow easy unobstructed access to and from the stop
prevent/dissuade other vehicles from parking in the stop area
affordable and commensurate with the accessibility benefit
The bus should stop parallel to, and as close to the kerb as possible to
allow effective use of the bus facilities.
ASSUMPTIONS
a. bus- stop spacing is not considered
b. bus-stop capacity is not considered
c. passenger waiting time is not considered
d. the bus stop is located at Midblock

3.2 Bus-stop layout

3.3 Design of Ramp

4.0 Conclusion
Figure2: Diagram showing Ramp from a Bus onto a kerb for wheelchair