Suitability of the Integrated Transport Hub in Poznań with Regard to the Needs of Disabled Users

Abstract

The research problem addressed in this paper is to what extent the Integrated Transport Hub (ITH) in Poznań meets the requirements of disabled users. The research required analysis of the investor's compliance with regulations, rules and procedures concerning the hub's suitability with regard to the needs of disabled people, including whether the solutions in place might pose a danger to users of the site. The problem was investigated by means of a questionnaire-based survey and the Dortmund checklist. The study involved disabled users of the ITH in Poznań. A representative sample consisted of 83 persons with various degrees of disability, including 59 with slight disability, 21 with moderate disability and 3 with significant disability. The respondents invited to take part in the survey were randomly selected disabled people using the services of the ITH. Questionnaires were submitted anonymously. Analysis of the survey results showed that disabled users do not oppose the linking of the main rail station and the shopping mall but they draw attention to certain inappropriate architectural features. It was also found that the greatest barrier to disabled passengers is the distance that they need to travel from the ticket offices to certain platforms. A solution might be to make appropriate use of free space in the old station building, where ticket offices could be set up for the sole use of disabled customers and their carers.