TRENDS IN TRANSPORTATION FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS

After identifying some of the particular transportation problems and needs of handicapped persons, this report notes that over the past several years, there has been an increasing sensitivity to the mobility needs of handicapped individuals. The number of special services for transportation-handicapped persons has increased, and there are a considerable number of wheelchair accessible transit buses in operation. Positive developments include improved coordination of social service transportation, the increased use of private transportation companies and the spread of user side as opposed to provider side subsidies. These developments allow a variety of services to be provided to meet the needs of individuals with different handicaps and mobility limitations. The level of service is usually improved by using the larger capacity and longer service hours of privately owned vehicle fleets. The experience with accessible fixed route transit service has not been encouraging, and in most U.S. cities, the spatial limitations of fixed route systems will probably make some type of demand service a necessity. Successful services in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh have shown the advantages of careful planning, setting objectives and establishing eligibility criteria for the group to be served. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 286189. (Author/TRRL)