Overview
With the entry into force of the Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities Act (BehiG) on January 1, 2004, all owners of publicly accessible public transport facilities are obliged to adapt them to the needs of disabled people. As the owner of the bus stops on the municipal roads, the Swiss government is responsible for adapting the stops within the framework of proportionality. So that people with disabilities can get on and off the bus autonomously and at the same level.
For the implementation of the BehiG, the Swiss authorities are confronted with one major challenge: It had to be defined how an autonomous entry and exit is technically feasible and what height of the stop edge enables a level transition between the stop edge and the bus. The high retaining edge of 22 cm is now recognized as an international standard and has been successfully tested in pilot projects. In a second step, the terminology of proportionality used in the BehiG required a specification of when the benefits to be expected for people with disabilities are disproportionate to the costs incurred for the adjustments.
Therefore, the upcoming BehiG measures are taken as an opportunity to standardize the personal shelters in the city of Lucerne and use the local upgrading potential of bus stops. In addition, the remaining areas around the bus stops will be repaired. A high-quality design of a stop, which enables unobstructed use and offers a high quality of stay and an appealing infrastructure, is not only of great importance for people with disabilities. It also increases the attractiveness of public transport for all users.
Guiding Principle
As places to live, stay, work, and identify, the quarters are the key to Switzerland’s successful and sustainable development, where the streets, squares, and green spaces are designed as attractive places to stay, meet, and move around. In Switzerland, people of different generations and cultures and social groups can live together, which shows the city of solidarity for all generations.
In Switzerland, there are many age-friendly cities, like Lucerne, always promoting the professional and social integration of all disadvantaged population groups. If the design of the street areas is attractive, everyone in Switzerland will be happy, safe, and reliable when traveling. The transport system copes with mobility needs in a space-efficient, energy-efficient and low-emission manner.
Objective
The purpose of the law is to prevent, reduce or eliminate the disadvantages to which people with disabilities are exposed. In the BehiG, a person with disabilities is a person who is likely to have a permanent physical, mental or psychological impairment, making it difficult or impossible to carry out everyday activities, to maintain social contacts, to move around, to train and further educate oneself or to work.
At this point, however, it should be pointed out that the benefits of a BehiG-compliant adaptation of bus stop edges are not limited to people with disabilities. Obstacle-free access to public transport generally increases comfort for all passengers. Getting in and out is stepless, making it easier and more convenient. This is particularly beneficial for people with limited mobility, such as B. older, older people with walkers, but also users with prams or trolleys and other luggage. For the road owner, the implementation of high stopping edges usually results in advantages. The access without a ramp means that the maneuvering area at the stop has to be made less wide, reducing the land requirement.
Technical Implementation
In order to reduce the distance between the holding edge and the vehicle to a minimum, the vehicles must drive very close to the curbs using a «contact drive» (see Fig. 1). A specially shaped curb – for example, a so-called Zurich board – can prevent damage to the vehicle tires and at the same time ensure that the vehicle body does not hit the retaining edge when it is lowered to the side (“kneeling”). The contact drive requires training of the driving staff.
The Zurich-Bus Stop Kerbstone was used as the stone type for the high retaining edge as a tried and tested model. The sequence of the different stone shapes on the Zurich-Bus Stop Kerbstone is chosen so that the bus is ideally guided to the edge of the stop. The rounding of the stone in the transition to the concrete slab enables contact between the wheels and the retaining edge without damaging the rolling stock. Those in cross-hammered granite are functional and durable curbs for slightly more exclusive environments with high traffic pressure. Complete with optional granite products such as small and large paving stones and curbs with the desired chamfer.
The edge support is set in such a way that the top comes at the right level with the entrance to the bus. The smooth side surface reduces tire wear when the bus wheels are on. The upper surface is slightly grooved to reduce the risk of slipping when boarding.
Why Choose Granite Bus Stop Kerbs?
The horizontal and vertical distance is essential for easy boarding. Optimal distances between the vehicle and the bus stop are achieved when using the bus capstone made of natural granite and can be used for combined bus stops as well as for every stop that is only served by bus. Natural granite bus stop kerbs are the ideal starting aid for all low-floor vehicles.
It significantly reduces tire wear compared to a concrete control board. In the area of the ssidewalls the granite bus stop kerbstones can decline in some cases by 40% in damage.
