St.

Thomas MRTS Station

Chennai
05 June 2016
 2

Name of the building : St. Thomas MRTS Station

City : Chennai
Building type and use : Public Transport
Introduction :
• Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is launched by the Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment as a nationwide flagship campaign for
achieving universal accessibility for persons with disabilities. The campaign focuses on Built Environment,
Public Transportation and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). As part of the vertical on
Built Environment, the existing building is access audited to be made accessible & inclusive for persons
with disabilities.
• Aim: to highlight access initiatives, which are non negotiable, and shall be provided for all services and
facilities.
• Access Audit Report: is prepared with line illustrations, designs and sketches for successful
implementation. The recommendations of the access audit are based on ground realities and cost
effective solutions are provided. Checklist with access standards should be read in conjunction with this
report. Numbering in the report is provided as per the numbers in checklist.
• Access Standards: “Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for
Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Persons” 2016 by Ministry of Urban Development are sited.
All measurements are in millimeters (mm).
• Acknowledgements: State Commissioner for Differently Abled, Government of Tamil Nadu
 3
Executive Summary
Mandatory Implementation:

• The St. Thomas station is under construction and plan vetting of the building was undertaken with the team
of Metro Engineers and Station Manager. The reports provides insights and plans of discussion held with the
engineering team on provisions of accessible features in the station.
• All stations should be well connected with multimodal transport modes.
• Pedestrian environment with in 500m of the metro stations should enhance WalkAbility for all passengers
• Public utilities such as toilets, shopping kiosks, paratransit and cycle stands should be within 300m of the
station.
• For passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility, all amenities including accessible parking, station
entry and toilets, etc. should be well connected with least possible walking, preferably upto 50m.
• Waiting areas, resting benches should be provided under shade for persons with disabilities and reduced
mobility.
• Foot over bridges should have accessible facilities such as ramp and or lift for passengers with disabilities and
reduced mobility.
• All amenities including shops, snack kiosks, ATMs, etc. should be universally accessible and without any level
difference.
• Tactile paving configuration should be as per the standards and warning pavers are essential on the station
tracks
• All lifts to have audio announcement and Braille symbols
• All emergency evacuation measures planned for stations should be disability inclusive. Evacuation system for
persons with disabilities should be integrated in the planning.
• Disability Inclusive Training should form the base of all station staff, security guards and ticketing staff, etc.
 4
Plan Appraisal and Access Audit
The St. Thomas station is under construction and plan vetting of the building was
undertaken with the team of Metro Engineers and Station Manager. The reports provides
insights and plans of discussion held with the engineering team on provisions of accessible
features in the station.

Access Audit Team: Samarthyam

 5
Existing
The St. Thomas station plans do not have earmarked spaces for accessible parking and
toilets. In the plan, these are now marked and recommendations provided with
dimensions.
 6
Recommendations

C
B

A. Accessible parking B. Accessible lift C. Corridor/Passage D. Tactile Pavers

 7
External Environment
1. Parking
Recommendations

• Parking lot nearest to the lift is identified as the accessible parking.

• It’s within 30meters of the main entrance.
• Overall minimum dimension 3600mm x 5000mm, including aisle space of 1200mm.
• On the route from the entrance to the accessible parking spaces, signs should indicate the whereabouts of
accessible parking by the international symbol of accessibility.
• These signs should be positioned at 2100mm height, so that they can be seen even if cars are parked in the
vicinity and shall be 600mm x 600mm size, to be identified from the driver’s seat.
• All security guards/staff should be sensitized and well informed about reserved parking for persons with
disabilities.
 External Environment
1. Accessible Parking
 9
External Environment

2. Alighting
Recommendations

• Area outside the main gate of the station and outside the gates are identified for alighting for
persons with disabilities.
• Signage and drop off area should be clearly marked.
• Tactile pavers should be provided to guide persons with visual impairments from this area to the
building entrance.

Signage for alighting

 10
External Environment
Kerb Ramps
• Absence of kerb ramps prevents persons with disabilities and reduced mobility from crossing streets and
moving on to the station kerb.
• Standard kerb ramps are required- cut back into the footpath (flush with roadway), at a gradient not
greater than 1:12, with flared sides providing transition in three directions.
• Width of the kerb ramp should not be less than 1200mm.
• Tactile warning strip shall be provided on the kerb side edge of the slope, so that persons with vision
impairment do not accidentally walk onto the road.
• The ramps should be flared smooth into the street surface and checked periodically to make sure large
gaps do not develop between the gutter and street surface.
 11
Recommendations
Kerb Ramps
 12
External Environment
3. Accessible Route
Recommendations
• Accessible route (min 1200mm clear width)
with tactile pavers, firm, level, anti skid
surface, resting spaces at max. 30m distances,
and strategically placed directional signage
should be provided to and from the entrances,
parking, alighting points and other key
destinations.
• In case of level differences, a kerb ramp must
be provided.

Bollard Spacing
 13
External Environment
3a. Tactile Pavers
Recommendations

• Line-type indicate the correct path/route to follow.

• Dot-type provides warning signal, to screen off obstacles, drop-offs or other hazards, to discourage movement
in an incorrect direction and to warn of a corner or junction. Should be placed 300mm at the beginning and end
of the ramps, stairs and entrance to any door.
 14
External Environment
3a. Tactile Pavers
Recommendations

Places to install tactile pavers:

•In front of an area where traffic is present.
•In front of an entrance/exit.
•To and from a staircase or multi-level crossing
facility.
•In open space to orient persons with vision
impairment.
 15
Internal Environment
4. Accessible Entrance
Proposed
• Ramps and landing surfaces should be slip resistant/ anti-skid and grooves more than 10mm
should be avoided.
• Tactile pavers should be provided at the beginning and end of ramp at a distance of 300mm.
Refer Section 3a.
• Ramp to have handrails on both the sides and at two levels- 760 and 900mm. Refer Section 6.
• Directional arrows for ramp should be provided at strategic location.
• Steps to have uniform risers of 150mm max. height.
 16
Internal Environment
4. Ramps
Recommendations
•Indoor- Gentle slope of 1:12 max. preferred 1:15
• Outdoor - ramp should have overhead shed.
• Landings- every 750mm of vertical rise clear space of 1500mm x 1500mm minimum.
• Minimum clear width -1200 mm.
• Ramps and landing surfaces should be slip resistant/ anti-skid.
• Handrails to be on both sides at two levels and at a height of 76mm and 900mm; both ends to be rounded
and grouted and extend 300mm beyond top and bottom of ramp.
• Strip of warning blocks should be placed 300mm before and after the ramp edges.
 17
Internal Environment
5. Ticket Counter
Recommendations
• AFC- 900 mm min. for wheelchair users to cross through.
• Signage should be prominently displayed with a notice to ‘give priority to persons with disabilities and elderly’.
• Illumination level of 200-300 lux level is required outside the ticket window for the passengers.
• Ticket vending machine should be provided with lowered controls and slit at 800-1000mm max.
• Tactile pavers, Braille buttons and audio announcement is mandatory.
 18
Internal Environment
5. Ticket Counter
Recommendations
• A section of the counter to be lowered down to 800mm and height of the cut out in the glass should be at
1000mm max.
• Two way mike system is ideal for effective communication.
• An induction loop system should be installed.

• Background noise: It is most important to reduce any background noise internally and externally. Sound
absorbent surfaces should be utilized to minimize reverberation, which could seriously affect the hearing of a
person with hearing impairment.

Signage for Induction Portable Induction

Loop System Loop Unit
 19
Internal Environment
Tactile Map
Recommendations
• Tactile maps should be provided near the Enquiry counters which provide way-finding maps and
directories.
• It should include a list of officers, platform nos., train arrival/ departure timings and general building
facilities locations.
• It may include a tactile features/ legends with audio.
• Tactile map should be marked by floor tactile guidance for persons with visual impairments to access it.
 Internal Environment
Tactile Map

Wheelchair accessible 3D Tactile map

Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi
 21
Internal Environment
6. Stairs for Platforms
Recommendations

• Handrails should be provided on both sides of the

staircase, on all platforms as per Section 8.
• Steps to have warning pavers and contrast colour
band on step edges.
• Step risers should be even – 150mm and tread-
300mm.

Contrast Warning pavers

colour band before first and last
on step edges step
 22
Internal Environment
8. Handrails
• Should be provided on all steps
including those at platforms and
ramps on both sides.
• Should be circular in section with a
diameter of 38-45mm;
• Should be at least 45mm clear of the
surface to which they are attached;
• Should be at two levels 760mm and
900mm from the floor;
• Extend by at least 300mm beyond
the head and foot of the flight and
ramp in the line of travel and grouted
in the ground;
• Should be in bright color contrast to
the surroundings (preferably
red/yellow).
 Internal Environment
9. Elevator/Lift
Recommendations
• Call button & control panel: At a reach of 900mm-1000mm; at least 400mm from any corner or have a clear
floor space of at least 900mm x 1200mm with no obstruction placed to prevent a wheelchair user from
reaching the call button;
• Control panel: Inside the lift to be on both the sides. Have buttons with Braille/ raised letters and in sharp
contrast from the background to aid persons with visual impairments.
• Braille information/raised numbers, audio and visual indicator, review mirror & kick plates to be fitted.
• There should be no gap or difference in level between the lift door and the floor surface at each level. If such
a gap is unavoidable, then it should not be more than 12 mm.
• Review mirror & kick plates to be fitted.
• Lift lobby to have ceiling hung floor number for easy identification by the visitors.
• Grab Bars
Be placed at a height of 900mm from the floor level; and
Be fixed on both sides and at the rear of the lift.
• Audio and Visual Indicators
The lift should have a voice announcement system along with a visual display to indicate the floor level.
 Internal Environment
9. Elevator/Lift
 Recommendations
9. Elevator/Lift

• All lifts should have notice displayed at 1400mm

height from floor level with symbol of access
(wheelchair symbol) to sensitize other passengers
not to use lift and give priority for persons with
disabilities and those who need it
• Example of notice displayed in all lifts in Metro
system, Tokyo

Metro System, Tokyo, Japan

 Internal Environment
13. Accessible toilet
Recommendations
• One toilet compartment should have clear floor space -2000mm x 2200mm minimum.
• Clear door opening of at least 900mm with the door swing outwards or be folding or sliding type.
• A switch near the WC (one at 300mm and the other at 900mm from the floor level), which activates an
emergency audio alarm (at the reception/attendants desk, etc.).
• Flooring to be anti-slip/matt finish.

Unisex accessible toilet Family toilet

 27
Internal Environment
General Toilets
Recommendations
• All signage to be in contrasting colours.
• For passengers with low vision and vision impairments- pictogram (male pictogram in triangle and female
pictogram in circle), marked on plates along with Braille & raised alphabets, to be mounted on wall next to door
near the latch side, at a height between 1400mm-1600mm.
• Warning paver strip/ thin rubber door mat to be provided 300mm before the toilet entrances. Ensure
availability of sanitary material and disposal mechanism in ladies toilet.
 28
Internal Environment
Water Closet
• Have clear space of not less than 900mm wide next
to the water closet.
• Be located between 460mm to 480mm from the
centerline of the WC to the adjacent wall and have a
clear dimension of 800mm from the edge of the WC to
the rear wall to facilitate side transfer.
• The top of the WC to be 450-480mm from the floor.
• Grab bars at the transfer side of the WC and the
adjacent wall.
• On the transfer side of the WC- swing up type and
on the wall side L-shape grab bars should be provided.

L-shape stationary grab bar U -shape moveable grab bar

 29
Internal Environment
Washbasin
Recommendations

• With dimensions 520mm and 410mm, so

mounted that the top edge is between 700mm-
800mm from the floor; have a knee space of at least
760mm wide by 200mm deep by 650mm-680mm
high.
• Lever type handles for taps are recommended.
• Mirror’s bottom edge to be 900-1000mm from the
floor and the mirror may be inclined at an angle.
• U-shape moveable grab bars are proposed on both
the sides of the washbasin.
 30
Internal Environment
Accessible Urinals
Recommendations

• There should not be any step/ level difference in front

of accessible urinal.
• At least one of the urinals in all Gents toilets on all
floors should have grab bar; installed on each side and
in the front to support ambulant persons with
disabilities (for example, crutch users).
• The front bar is to provide chest support; the sidebars
are for the user to hold on to while standing.
 31
Internal Environment
14. Drinking Water
Recommendations
• A lowered washbasin of dimensions 520mm and 410mm, so mounted that the top edge is between
700mm-800mm from the floor; have a knee space of at least 760mm wide by 200mm deep by
650mm-680mm high.
• This allows both front and parallel access to taps for students using mobility aids like wheel chair,
crutches etc.
 32
Internal Environment
15. Controls and Operating Mechanisms
Recommendations
Operable part of controls such as vending machines, electrical switches, wall sockets and intercom buttons
should be:
• located adjacent to the clear floor space;
• height between 600-1100 mm;
• controls should be placed not less than 400 mm from room corners;
• operable by one hand;
• does not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist; and operable with a force less than 22N.
 33
Internal Environment
16. Signage
Internal way finding and directional signage
• Way finding signage in shall be provided at strategic locations.
• Nameplates and numbers of the rooms to be in Braille & raised alphabets, bold & colour contrasted with
their background.
• Braille signage should be mounted between 1400-1600mm from floor level on the wall (on latch/ door
handle side of all doors).
• The individual characters to be between 15mm-50mm tall and raised by 1-1.5mm.
 34
Internal Environment
16. Signage
Recommendations
Internal way finding and directional signage
Station Manager, First Aid room, Waiting rooms and toilets should have room nos./ officer information in Braille
also.
• Way finding signage in shall be provided at strategic locations.
• Nameplates and numbers of the rooms to be in Braille & raised alphabets, bold & colour contrasted with their
background.
• Braille signage should be mounted between 1400-1600mm from floor level on the wall (on latch/ door handle
side of all doors).
• The individual characters to be between 15mm-50mm tall and raised by 1-1.5mm.

Braille
locator
 35
Internal Environment
16. Signage
Height and placement

Recommendations- preferred location of signage

 Internal Environment
Platform

1 2

1. Good example of tactile paving and resting

benches
2. Warning pavers to be provided 300mm before the
track edges
3. Wheelchair designed and waiting area on platform
3 should be provided on other stations also
• For persons with hearing impairments, an electronic
signboard (digital display) should be displayed on
each platform at conspicuous location for all
announcements made by the railways.
• Train coach area for boarding by persons with
disabilities should be clearly marked.
 37
Internal Environment
Colour Contrast
Recommendations

Contrast colours should be provided between:

• Columns in circulation area to have contrast color,
• Critical Surfaces (walls, ceiling and floor),
• Signage and background sign frame/ wall,
• Step edges and risers/ treads on steps,
• Handrails and background wall,
• Doors and surrounding walls,
• Switches/ sockets and background wall,
• Toilet fixtures, accessories and background walls.
 38
Internal Environment
17. Emergency Evacuation
Recommendations

• Fire escape plan, emergency alarm both audio (hooter type) and visual (flashing bulb) to be
provided at strategic locations.
• Evacuation routes should be clearly identified. Routes should be at least 1200mm wide, to ensure
that a person using a wheelchair and a non-disabled person are able to pass each other along the
route. The route should be free of any level difference and should be kept free from obstacles such
as furniture, coolers, AC units, flower pots, etc.
 Recommendations
17. Emergency Evacuation

• Emergency staircase for evacuation/escape is • To be provided at all stations clearly marked

provided at Namma Metro, Bangalore with directional arrow and way finding
signages
 Internal Environment
Emergency Evacuation

Good example at the platform and tracks

Should be replicated in other stations also
 41
Vendors List
• Grab bars for accessible toilets and Signage (Braille signage and
Tactile Maps)
– Access Plus, B-175, Mansarovar Garden, New Delhi-110015 (M) 9811133547,
9711190806

• Guiding/warning tactile pavers

– Pelican Ceramic Industries Pvt. Ltd., 410, Suneja Tower-1, District Centre, Janakpuri,
New Delhi-58, Mr. Ashok K. Luthra (M) 9810545699 Ph: 25552097, 32482791,
32982791
– Johnson, Durato and Nitco brand available at all leading stores

• Induction loop system

– Mr. V. P. Sah, AYJ National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Kasturba Niketan,
Lajpat Nagar-II, New Delhi-110024 (O) 011-29815093
 42

Contact details:
Ms. Anjlee Agarwal , Executive Director & Access Consultant