Floating bus stops research project

In March 2024, Coalition members Jonathan and Jean took part in a research project at UCL PEARL in Dagenham East. They were assisted by Yasmin and Alex.

The research project is in partnership with Guide Dogs, and studies the impact of design trends that are on the increase within the built environment on people with a range of disabilities. It aims to look at the impact of each design feature on Disabled people and to come up with possible solutions to mitigate against any barriers that are identified. Jonathan and Jean took part in a controlled experiment, with a bus stop (and a bus); shared pedestrian and cycle lanes; and a continuous pavement. They were audio recorded, video-recorded (to record their movements) and fitted with an ElectroDermal Activity (EDA) sensor to measure stress.

Jonathan writes:

I was asked to demonstrate my mobility skills on various stretches of tactile paving before exploring the actual bus stop area. In the large test hall, there was a mock-up of a section of kerb replicating an urban bus stop.

I was informed that a bus would arrive shortly.

I was told to move carefully towards where I thought the bus had stopped. I encountered a very deep kerb much greater than my usual urban pavement experience. I wobbled a bit but did not fall over! Moving cautiously, I found the bus. Navigating from the usual sound of a front entrance London bus I moved to my left, found the entrance, turned towards the usual driver and boarded the bus.

There was only the rubber seal of the door to grab on my right-hand side, the low handrail below the windscreen was only fixed at one end it started to swivel out! The bus was stationary, and I felt safe.

I was then asked to turn around as if I was arriving at my expected bus stop. I was told to listen for an approaching bicycle.

The ambient sound of the idling bus engine and road railway traffic outside smothered the possibility of hearing a bicycle.

The process was repeated twice more.

Every time I could not hear the bicycle approach or even pass at its closest it would have been less than 3 metres from me!

I was asked if I would feel confident boarding or alighting from the bus.

I said “No way, this situation is lethal!”

The testing concluded a few minutes later.

Reflecting on the experiments later, the things that stuck in my mind.

The guidance and explanations from the testing team were very clear, their guiding skills were excellent.

I felt safe throughout save for the first time when I had to step down from the high kerb at the bus stop.

How anyone with poor mobility, and painful limbs could enter or leave the bus let alone hear an approaching cycle or cycles defeats my imagination.

A VIP (visually impaired person) would have limited vision of approaching danger without leaning out beyond the doorway. The user of a Mobility Scooter will always be at serious risk of accidental collisions!

Overall comments of my assessment; is that I completely agree that this system be removed from use and no further installation of similar arrangements be pursued. I hope that I will never have to use a “Floating Bus Stop” anywhere either in a city or other location without sighted escort.

Implementation of these discriminates against freedom to have equal access to public transport!

Special thanks to the UCL PEARL researchers!

For more information about The Coalition’s campaigns against floating bus, please visit The Coalition have been back campaigning at Number 10! – Surrey Coalition of Disabled People