Assessing existing bus stops and providing advice to achieve compliance.
As of the 31st of December 2022, 100% of bus infrastructure is required to comply with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT). This includes any new bus stops and the upgrade of all existing bus stops throughout metropolitan and rural Victoria. The Victorian Government is providing funds to upgrade bus stops to increase accessibility and compliance with the DDA and DSAPT. Their charter is to prioritise busy bus stops, in particular bus stops servicing vital community, disability services and care hubs in metro Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The purpose of the DSAPT is to make public transport accessible for people with a disability, recognising this as vital for these passengers, their families and carers to fully participate in community life, enjoy equal access to sports, education, employment, and goods and services without being limited by transport.
Architecture & Access have been working closely with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and various providers since early 2023 to conduct accessibility assessments of bus stop infrastructure.
This image is of a non-compliant bus stop. This bus stop is located on a busy Parkville road, near Ikon Park, the Melbourne Zoo, Princess Park and universities, and is frequently used.
The ground here is grassed and not easily traversable by a person who uses a wheelchair or wheeled mobility aid. There is no connection to the existing footpath, and there are no tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) to indicate the presence of the bus stop boarding point to a person who is blind or has low vision. This is a great example of bus stop infrastructure that is required to be upgraded to achieve DSAPT compliance.
Architecture & Access offer the following services regarding bus stop infrastructure:
Existing bus stop appraisals/audits
Architecture & Access can assess existing bus stops and provide feedback on how to upgrade the bus stop to achieve DSAPT compliance.
New/upgraded bus stop infrastructure desktop reviews
These reviews are done at the design stage, prior to construction, to ensure compliance with the DSAPT can be achieved once built. These reviews are most commonly requested by providers and DTP.
As-built bus stop reviews
Architecture & Access offers as-built reviews, either as a desktop review or as an in-person assessment to ensure that compliance has been achieved.
Bus stop infrastructure assessment areas included in the reviews include:
- Access paths
- Handrails and grabrails
- Manoeuvring areas
- Stairs
- Passing areas
- Signs
- Waiting areas
- Tactile ground surface indicators
- Ramps
- Lighting
- Boarding
- Street furniture
- Allocated space
- Surfaces
Architecture & Access assists providers in meeting their obligations under the Transport Standards and the Disability Discrimination Act and have been delighted to work with the Department of Transport and Planning to recognise our vision of creating environments, transforming lives.
