2nd Edition

Station Layout 23
temporarily unable to climb stairs and will require to use lifts or some other
form of mobility assistance. Much help can often be afforded by quite simple
low cost measures. Simple changes to door furniture from knob to lever,
for instance, can also help where passengers may have problems opening
doors to rooms and cubicles.
In the past it was often thought impractical for wheelchairs or pushchairs
to be used on railway systems, particularly where there are changes in
level and crowded conditions. Many railway authorities banned them from
their systems because of the perceived hazard they represented both to
themselves and to other users.
In line with changing attitudes to disabled people, supported by
European Directives aiming to promote mobility of all, railway authorities
are increasingly reconsidering the position on this aspect. Several new Metros
and Light Rail systems have been designed to specifically accommodate
disabled people. Where new lines are added to existing systems there is
considerable difficulty in ensuring that access is properly limited to areas
of the system where it is safe for disabled passengers to go.
Fig. 2.8.
Lift for the disabled, Docklands Light Railway.