“What changes are needed for barrier-free transport infrastructure and how much it might cost”, — write: epravda.com.ua
The introduction of barrier-free access is one of the urgent issues of today for Ukraine, because, unfortunately, due to the war, many citizens received injuries that led to temporary or permanent loss of working capacity. This requires the creation of an accessible infrastructure that will meet the needs of such individuals. Accessibility is not only about the physical accessibility of the infrastructure, but also about the ability of each person to realize their potential, regardless of the circumstances. Therefore, the introduction of barrier-free access becomes not just a priority, but a necessity for the Ukrainian state. A large-scale campaign to introduce a barrier-free policy in Ukraine began at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska even before the start of a full-scale war. In 2020, the President of Ukraine issued a Decree on ensuring the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine. The following year, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the National Strategy for the Creation of a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine by 2030, and a plan for its implementation is approved every two years. Targeted programs are being developed at the level of regions and cities, which provide for the practical implementation of barrier-free principles in various spheres of social life, one of which is transport infrastructure.Advertisement: Read also: Barrier-free: why does it concern everyone and what does the economy have to do with it? Accessibility in transport and transport infrastructure is the creation of conditions that allow all citizens, regardless of their physical condition, age or special needs, to use transport means and infrastructure. This concept includes accessibility to public transport (use of low-floor buses, trolleybuses and trams), equipped stops, stations (installation of elevators, escalators, ramps on the way to them), sound and visual information systems, specially equipped places for passengers with disabilities and many others elements that provide comfortable movement for all population groups. In addition, an important key to ensuring barrier-free accessibility is the training of public transport personnel on the readiness to provide the necessary assistance to passengers with special needs. Current statistics show that barriers in transport leave millions of Ukrainian citizens out of full participation in economic, social and cultural life. Thus, the results of a survey of public organizations representing the interests of persons with disabilities and their participants regarding the availability of transport services indicate that only 24.8% of them are satisfied with the availability of transport services. Advertisement: 28.4% of respondents answered that they could not to get to the place of boarding the transport without hindrance. In particular, the main reason for this is physical barriers on the way of movement, from exiting the house, movement on footpaths, transitions, intersections, to traffic stops. 32.1% believe that the transport they use is not accessible for people with disabilities. The main reason for this is the lack of renewal of the rolling stock of transport. 22.5% of respondents reported that they do not have the opportunity to freely enter the buildings of bus stations/bus stations, railway stations, ports/piers. Only 28.7% of respondents reported the presence of sanitary and hygienic facilities for persons with disabilities, elements of tactile and visual navigation, appropriate width of aisles and doors in bus stations and railway stations that they visit to receive transport services. It is important to note that 46.9% of respondents reported the lack of comfortable places for people with disabilities to wait to board the transport. Usually, even if there are comfortable waiting rooms, the paths to them are physically inaccessible. The results of monitoring the accessibility of transport for persons with disabilities indicate that today in Ukraine, 35% of public motor vehicles, 41% of public electric transport (trolleybuses, trams), 100% of subway rolling stock, 20% of railway vehicles meet the requirements of accessibility for persons with disabilities. of suburban transport and 1.34% of long-distance railway transport. Monitoring of transport infrastructure buildings and structures indicates that 34.3% of railway stations and stations and 21.4% of bus stations and bus stations are accessible to persons with disabilities. The solution to the problem of accessibility of transport for persons with disabilities and citizens with limited mobility in Ukraine is possible with the help of various instruments of influence, which must take into account the real situation, as well as the business model of transportation. These can be financial incentives, rolling stock renewal programs financed from local budgets or sanctions, such as fines or requirements, failure to comply with which will prevent access to a particular market. Renewal of urban public transport is possible due to financing from relevant local budgets and/or attracting international aid. Regarding the renewal of intercity and international rolling stock, a possible strategy includes the detinization of transportation (by simplifying access to the legal market and increasing the effectiveness of control), ensuring competition, and gradually and predictably increasing the relevant requirements. In many developed countries, issues of barrier-free transportation have long become a priority and are an important element of inclusive policies that ensure accessibility for all segments of the population, including people with disabilities. Many countries around the world implement various initiatives to improve the accessibility of transport, in particular through the adaptation of infrastructure, the introduction of new technologies and changes in legislation. For example, in Canada there are requirements that every new means of transport and station must be adapted for citizens with reduced mobility. In the largest Canadian city, Toronto, the “Accessible Transit” program has been introduced, which ensures the adaptation of all types of public transport for people with disabilities. The program uses lifting platforms and special places for wheelchairs. Scandinavian countries actively use automated systems that help visually impaired people orientate themselves in stations and in transport. In Stockholm, Sweden, the “Accessible Transport” program has been implemented, which involves the use of low-floor buses and trams. Special ramps and elevators have also been introduced at metro stations to ensure access for people with disabilities. Berlin is actively implementing inclusive solutions in public transport, including sound signals at bus stops and accessible platforms. The Polish capital became an example of successful implementation of barrier-free accessibility, receiving the EU “Accessible City” award in 2020. The city implemented projects to adapt public transport, including low-floor buses and trolleybuses, as well as the arrangement of pedestrian crossings and stops. These examples demonstrate how a comprehensive approach to accessibility can significantly improve the accessibility of transport infrastructure for all citizens. In Ukraine, the issue of introduction barrier-free provision was not updated for a long time. Thus, our state inherited the Soviet approach, where the needs of people with disabilities and other less mobile citizens were ignored and silenced. The lack of necessary accessibility standards, an imperfect legal framework and a low level of professional education in the field of urban planning and transport led to the fact that barrier-free accessibility was not included in the priorities of the state policy of Ukraine for a long time. Due to the full-scale war, many objects of the transport infrastructure of Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged. This creates a unique opportunity to reconstruct this infrastructure taking into account modern standards of inclusiveness. Barrier-free access should become a necessary condition for the post-war reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine. The introduction of barrier-free transportation in the transport sector will not only ensure social justice, but will also have a positive effect on economic indicators. Equal access to transport allows attracting more citizens to the labor market, thanks to the increase in mobility of the working population, promotes the development of tourism and expands the services market. Today, Ukraine is taking only the first steps towards creating a barrier-free environment in the transport infrastructure. A striking example is the “Barrier-free Railway” program of Ukrzaliznytsia – a large-scale project to increase the level of accessibility at stations, including the installation of ramps, elevators and adaptation of toilets, as well as the launch of 37 new inclusive carriages equipped for passengers who use wheelchairs. In addition, local initiatives were launched to introduce barrier-free transport infrastructure. So, for example, in Kyiv, during the reconstruction and overhaul of facilities, it is envisaged to create conditions of unhindered access for groups of the population with reduced mobility, including lowering curbs, installing tactile tiles and sound signals at pedestrian crossings. And Lutsk adapts public transport for people with disabilities and conducts staff training on providing the necessary assistance to passengers with reduced mobility. Implementation of barrier-free principles in the transport sector of Ukraine requires significant financial resources. Estimates of the cost of implementing these initiatives vary, but in general they can range from 10 to 20 billion hryvnias. For example, the cost of one inclusive railway car is about 30 million hryvnias, and the purchase of low-floor buses and trolleybuses that meet barrier-free standards can cost from 3 to 5 million hryvnias. According to the National Strategy for the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine until 2030, financing of initiatives for the implementation of barrier-free access is provided for from state and local budgets, as well as other sources, such as the attraction of foreign investments. The full implementation of barrier-free transport in Ukraine is a complex task that requires a long time and a comprehensive approach, including ensuring a transparent financing mechanism (with the involvement of both state and international resources), infrastructure modernization, raising public awareness and relevant changes in regulatory legal acts. Success in creating an accessible transport environment for all citizens can only be achieved with systematic work.