The adoption of equalities legislation and inclusive design principles has significantly improved the accessibility of transport infrastructure, vehicles, and the wider public realm for people who experience limited mobility.
Despite this progress, considerable barriers remain that make it harder for some groups to travel and enjoy the same freedoms, and opportunities, afforded to non-disabled people.
ITP fully supports the concept of mobility for all.
Our team has a deep understanding of inclusive mobility legislation. We have helped to define and implement inclusive design standards for taxis, taxi ranks, bus and rail services - both in the UK and for the World Bank.
Coupled with policy-shaping social research, we have contributed to tangible improvements in travel accessibility, inclusion, and social equity for people who experience limited mobility.
The Disabled Person’s Parking (Blue Badge) Scheme had not been updated significantly since it was launched in the 1970s. Consequently, the processes for administering the scheme had become expensive for local authorities. ITP was appointed to work alongside the Department for Transport’s (DfT) to identify local authority good practices in Blue Badge Scheme administration and eligibility assessment.
We developed in-depth case studies across 33 Councils, including eight designated Centres of Excellence, carried out user consultation, stakeholder workshops, cost-effectiveness analysis and piloted innovative eligibility assessment approaches. Our research findings were encapsulated in updated guidance for local authorities and fed into legislative reforms.
ITP's ‘best practice’ approach for conducting eligibility assessments was adopted by the majority of English Councils which has contributed to a 9.2% reduction in the number of Blue Badges on issue since 2011.
ITP led a research review investigating the accessibility and safety for mobility scooter users travelling by rail on the GB network. Key aims were achieving a better understanding of mobility scooter use and user experience on the rail network, and exploring how policies are developed by individual Train Operating Companies (TOCs).
Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods enabled us to carry out surveys and focus group discussions with mobility scooter users and non-users, in-depth interviews with TOC managerial staff, and small group discussions with frontline rail operations staff. A steering group was set up and workshops were held with key stakeholders.
Our findings informed updated guidance for passengers, rail staff and managers on how the use of wheelchairs and scooters at stations and on board trains can be supported and accommodated by the GB rail industry.
ITP carried out a review of taxi rank accessibility for disabled people on behalf of Transport for London, in support of its Taxi Rank Action Plan.
Our desk-based good practice review and insights from engagement with key TfL, taxi industry and disabled people's stakeholder groups enabled us to develop London's first accessible taxi rank specification and audit methodology. A subsequent review of 600 public and private realm taxi ranks built a quantitative evidence base that enabled our team to calculate which taxi ranks in London met the newly defined accessibility criteria. The audits also collected data on the available space for electric vehicle charging points at ranks.
The study's outputs provided TfL's Taxi and Private Hire team with a costed, and evidence-based, action plan (and accompanying asset database) for prioritising accessibility improvements that are needed at taxi ranks across London in order to ensure they meet the accessible rank criteria.
ITP conducted research into existing legislation, regulations and good practices that are relevant to disabled and older people when they travel by rail in Great Britain.
Our desktop review focused on customer information provision, the station environment (including station concourse, gatelines, ticket machines, toilets and platform) and on-train facilities including journey disruptions and contingency arrangements. We worked in partnership with Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RIDC) on behalf of East Midlands Trains.
Our findings helped to inform future investments in more accessible station and train environments and passenger services.