Barrier-free outdoor environments: Older peoples' perceptions before and after implementation of legislative directives
Författare
Summary, in English
An increased focus on international and national levels of society to meet the transportation needs of older people and people with disabilities is realized through legislation, directives and guidelines on accessibility. This paper examines effects of removing physical barriers according to current Swedish governmental accessibility directives on older peoples' perceptions of outdoor environments (usability) and on their mobility and perceived safety as pedestrians. This paper also focuses on municipal planners' views on the implementation of improved accessibility. A before-after study, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, is conducted. The results from the questionnaires show that older peoples' overall satisfaction with the outdoor environment has increased after implementation: however no differences are found if physical barriers specifically are considered. Older peoples' mobility is also unchanged; nevertheless, fewer respondents are stating difficulties in walking due to barriers in the outdoor environments as reason to avoid outdoor mobility. Problems do remain after implementation, for example concerning safety/security-related issues and inaccessible entrances and indoor environments. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2010
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
464-474
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Transport Policy
Volym
17
Issue
6
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Elsevier
Ämne
- Infrastructure Engineering
Nyckelord
- Mobility
- Accessibility
- Barrier-free design
- Older people
- Pedestrian
- Usability
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1879-310X