Estimation Method of Transit Barrier against the Elderly and People with Disabilities

This paper describes how the transportation handicapped have the right of access in mass transportation, transportation to different facilities and opportunity of participation in social activities in the city like many others. They have the right of access anywhere in the city by themselves without any burden. In Japan, total number of elderly people was 22.041 million and among them disables were 3.25 million in 2002. It is estimated that by 2050, the number elderly people will be over 35.7% of the total population of Japan (2000). It is an urgent and pressing need to create a barrier-free environment in the city for coming super old society. In most of the large Japanese cities, citizens rely on train for transit or to commute. Major services and facilities providing infrastructure such as hospitals, shopping centers and entertainment facilities are developed in most cities nearby or around train stations and bus terminal. Public transportation terminals and nearby areas need to be the most barrier free for the transportation handicapped.