A!Truly!Accessible!Public!Transportation!System!for!Toronto:! A!User8Centric!Approach!to!Accessibility! by! Adriana!Teixeira!Bernardino!

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1 ATrulyAccessiblePublicTransportationSystemforToronto: AUser8CentricApproachtoAccessibility by AdrianaTeixeiraBernardino SubmittedtoOCADUniversity inpartialfulfillmentoftherequirements forthedegreeof MasterofDesign in StrategicForesightandInnovation Toronto,Ontario,Canada,August2014 AdrianaTeixeiraBernardino,2014 PrincipalAdvisor:SuzanneStein

2 IherebydeclarethatIamthesoleauthorofthisMRP.Thisisatruecopyof themrp,includinganyrequiredfinalrevisions,asacceptedbymy examiners. IauthorizeOCADUniversitytolendthisMRPtootherinstitutionsor individualsforthepurposeofscholarlyresearch. IunderstandthatmyMRPmaybemadeelectronicallyavailabletothepublic. IfurtherauthorizeOCADUniversitytoreproducethisMRPbyphotocopying orbyothermeans,intotalorinpart,attherequestofotherinstitutionsor individualsforthepurposeofscholarresearch. Signature ii

3 Abstract Thisresearchinvestigateswaystocreateatrulyaccessiblepublic transportationsystemtotorontoniansfacingmobilityconstraints. AThree%Horizonsapproach,incombinationwithsystemsthinkingand human8centricdesign,isusedfortheanalysis.startingfromanassessmentof thecurrentusers experience,iproposethatatrulyaccessiblesystemshould offerinclusive%services,%enablespontaneity,be%perceived%as%accessible%bythe populationitisdesignedtoserve,andbeanintegral%part%of%an%accessible% urban%system. Ithenassesscurrenttrendsthatmayimpactthefutureofaccessibility intorontoand,buildingonsomeofthesetrends,recommendashiftaway frommode8basedsolutionsdevelopedfortheaverage,static,inexistent individual,towardsmulti8modalsolutionsforcitizenswhoseneedsare continuouslyevolving,inordertoachievetrueaccessibilityina108year timeframe. WhilemyfocusisonBoomersfacingpermanentmobilityconstraints, thefindingsmaybegeneralizedtootherdemographicgroupsanddisabilities. iii

4 Acknowledgment Iwouldliketoexpressmygratitudetomysupervisor,SuzanneStein, whoseexpertiseandsupportwerefundamentalincompletingthiswork.i wouldalsoliketothankjeremybowesandnabilharfoush,myother committeemembers,whoofferedvaluablesuggestionstoenhancethe qualityofthiswork. MygratitudetoMichaelWilliams,AnuBhalla,andtheAdvanisteam foralltheirsupportthroughtheyearsittookmetocompletethisresearch. Thiswouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutyourhelp. Ialsorecognizetheindividualswhoagreedtoparticipateinthe interviews,andwhosogracefullysharedtheirexperienceswithme. AspecialthankstoDonatoSpensieri,whohelpedmekeepsome balanceinlifethroughtheseyearsofveryintensework. Finally,myprofoundgratitudetomydaughters,LeilaLeviandNara Levi,foralltheencouragementandlovetheyofferedmethroughthis process.(specialthankstoleilaforallthetimespentintranscriptions, bibliographyandpictures).loveyoubbgs iv

5 ToDon,NaraandLeila, whodealwiththeseexperienceonaregularbasis v

6 Table&of&Contents& Introduction&...&1 Background...1 Terminology...3 ResearchApproach...3 ResearchContributions...4 ResearchStructure...5 Chapter&1& &Setting&the&Context&...&6 IndependenceinanCar8DependentSociety...6 HealthandDrivingSafety...7 MobilityandQualityofLife...8 ExtendingtheDrivingYears...10 AreThereAnyViableAlternatives?...11 Summary...14 Chapter&2& &Methodology&...&16 AThreeHorizonsApproachtoAccessibility...16 PrimaryResearchDesign...20 Chapter&3& &Characterizing&the&Legacy&Context&...&25 TheEvolutionofRegularTransit...25 TheEvolutionofTransitAccessibility...28 ImplicationsMovingForward...30 Chapter&4& &First&Horizon:&Experiencing&the&Legacy&System&...&32 TravelNeeds...32 TravelOptions...36 TheTravelExperience...45 ResultingBehavior...52 Conclusion...55 Chapter&5& &Third&Horizon:&Envisioning&True&Accessibility&...&58 AUser8CentricViewofAccessibility...59 Conclusion...63 Chapter&6& &Second&Horizon:&Opportunities&and&Choices&...&65 TrendsImpactingTravelNeeds...65 TrendsImpactingTravelOptions...71 TrendsImpactingTheTravelExperience...76 Conclusion...80 Chapter&7& &Strategic&Choices& &Achieving&the&Envisioned&Future&...&82 TravelNeeds DevelopingCompleteNeighborhoods...82 TravelOptions CreatingFlexibleAlternatives...84 TheTravelExperience EnhancingPerceivedAccessibility...88 FosteringaCultureofEmpathyandInclusion TheIncluCITYPortal...89 Conclusions...91 vi

7 Chapter&8& &Concluding&Remarks&and&Further&Research&...&94 ConcludingRemarks...94 FurtherResearchandDevelopments...97 Bibliography&...&100 Appendix&A& &IncluCITY:&The&Original&Idea&...&121 TheConcept Implementation Appendix&B& &Additional&Remarks&on&the&Data&Collection&Process&...&127 vii

8 List&of&Tables&& Table1 Decision8MakingImpactonAccessibility...81 Table2 StrategiesforaTrulyAccessibleToronto...96 viii

9 List&of&Figures& Figure18ConsequencesofEconomicExpansion...6 Figure2 HealthandImplicationsforDriving...8 Figure3 MobilityandQualityofLife...9 Figure4 ExtendingtheDrivingYears...10 Figure5 TransitAlternatives...12 Figure6 IndependenceinaCar8DependentSociety...15 Figure7 TheThreeHorizonsApproach (*)...17 Figure8 AccessibleTransitTimeline...31 Figure9 TransportationPlanningFramework...97 ix

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11 Introduction& How%might%wecreateapublictransportationsystemthatistruly% accessibletotorontonians? Thisisthequestionbeingansweredbythisresearch.Whilethefocus isonboomersfacingpermanentmobilityconstraints,thefindingscanbe extendedtootherdemographicsanddisabilities. Background& OneinsevenpeopleinOntariohaveadisability(MakingOntario Accessible,n.d.).Overthenext20years,thisnumberwillrisesignificantlyas thebabyboomersbegintoentertheirsenioryears.inpreparationforthis majordemographicchange,theprovincialgovernmenthasapproved legislationtomakeontarioafullyaccessibleprovinceby TheAccessibilityforOntarianswithDisabilitiesAct(AODA), establishedtocreate% a%province%where%every%person%who%lives%or%visits%can% participate%fully (MakingOntarioAccessible,n.d.),defines,amongothers, transportationaccessibilitystandards 2 to%make%it%easier%for%everyone%to% travel%in%ontario (MakingOntarioAccessible Transportation,n.d.).These standardsareanattempttoaddressthevariousphysical,operationaland 1 Questionsaboutthefeasibilityofthistimeframearebeingraisedandare discussedlater(thenationalbenefitauthority,2014) 2 Accessibilitystandardsforthebuiltenvironmentarebeingaddressedby changestotheontario sbuildingcodetobeenforcedasofjanuary2015 (MakingOntarioAccessible BuiltEnvironment).

12 informationalbarriersindividualswithdisabilitiesmayfacetonavigatethe system.however,someoftheconstraintstheseindividualshavetodealwith maybelessobviousandmorelimitingthanvisibleobstacles. Attitudinal,emotionalandpsychologicalissuessuchasthelevelof stresscausedbyroutechanges,deviationsanddelays,fearofaccidentsor rudebehaviormaypreventtheseindividualsfromconsideringthepublic transportationsystemasaviabletravelchoice(fiedler,n.d.).manyofthose whonowfaceamobilityconstraintwereaccustomedtodrivingbeforethe onsetoftheirdisability,andswitchingtopublictransportationmaynotbea naturaltransition.asamatteroffact,manyofthedeficitsinabilitiesthat makedrivingproblematicfortheseindividualsalsodiscouragethemfrom usingregulartransit(molnaret.al.,n.d.). Otherattitudinalandsystemicbarrierstopublictransportation accessibilitymayalsobepresentbutnotnecessarilyvisible.assuch,itmay bethecasethatasystemthatisfullyaccessiblefromafunctionalperspective isstillnottrulyaccessibletoindividualsfacingmobilityconstraints. InthelightoftheAODAlegislationandoftheeffortsbeingundertaken tomaketoronto Ontario scapitalandthelargestcityincanada an accessiblecityby2025,itisimportanttounderstandwhataccessibilityreally involvesfromtheperspectiveofmobility8constrainedindividuals,andin whichwaysitcanbeenabled.thisistheobjectiveofthisresearch. 2

13 Terminology& Thefollowingtermsareusedthroughoutthisresearchandneedtobe explainedforclarity: Perceptual%barriers:Thesearebarriersthatarefeltbyindividualsbutnot necessarilyvisibletotheexternalobserver.theyareattitudinal, emotionalorpsychologicalbarriersbasedonperceptionsofthesystem theindividualdevelopsthroughexperienceorotherwise. Truly%accessible:Thisreferstoasystemthatisnotonlyaccessibleby quantifiablestandards,butalsoperceivedtobeaccessiblebythe individualsitisdesignedtoserve,i.e.,asystemthatisfree%of%perceptual% barriers. Research&Approach& AThree%Horizonsapproach,incombinationwithsystemsthinkingand human8centricdesign,isusedto(i)identifyperceptualbarriersto accessibilityinthepublictransportationsystem;(ii)definethemeaningof accessibilityfromtheperspectiveofthosefacingmobilityconstraints;(iii) settheprinciplestobefollowedifauser8centriclevelofaccessibilityistobe reached;(iv)assesshowlikelyitisthatthesystemwillbecomeaccessiblein thefuture,accordingtotheseprinciples,givencurrenttrendsandconflicting views;and(v)proposedirectionstoensurethattheuser8centricvisionof accessibilitywillbeachievedwithintheaodalegislation108yeartime horizon. 3

14 Forscopemanagementreasons,thefocusoftheanalysisison Torontonians%50%to%70%years%old%(Boomers)%facing%a%permanent%mobility% constraint%due%to%aging%or%to%the%onset%of%a%nongreversible%health%condition. Whilethisfocusdoesexcludeotherdemographicgroupsandother legitimatedisabilities,permanentortemporary,themethodological approachmaybeextendedtoaddresstheneedsofthosegroups. ThefocusonTorontolimitsthepotentialtogeneralizethe recommendationstolesspopulatedareasinontarioandelsewhere,butthe methodologicalprocessmayisstillbeappliedtoaddresstheneedsofsuch areas. Research&Contributions& Theresearchoffersthreemaincontributions: True%Accessibility%Principles:Itproposesandillustratesasetofuser8 centricprinciplestodefineandassessthelevelofaccessibilityofapublic transportationsystem; Accessible%Toronto:ItproposesstrategicdirectionstoensurethatToronto canbecomeatrulyaccessiblecitywithinthe108yearaodatimeframe, withtheappropriatedecisionmakingandsupport;and Transportation%Planning%Framework:Itillustratesaprocesstointegrate strategicforesightanddesignthinkingintotransportationplanning,to ensurethatinclusive,resilientsystemsarebeingdeveloped. 4

15 Research&Structure& Theresearchflowsasfollows: InChapter1,Ipresentthecontextforthestudy.InChapter2,Idetail thethree%horizonsmethodologythatwasfollowedherein. InChapter3,IprovideabriefhistoryofToronto stransportation systemtocontextualizethethree%horizonsinquiry.inchapter4,inarrate individualexperienceswiththislegacytransportationsystem thefirst% Horizon andidentifyperceptualbarrierstoaccessibility. InChapter5,Iproposeasetofuser8centricprinciplestodefine accessibilitythatexpandsthescopeofwhatisaddressedbytheaoda standards,andrepresentsauser8centricvisionforanaccessiblefuture the Third%Horizon. InChapter6,Ipresentcurrenttrendsandconflictingviewsthatcould impacthowaccessibletorontowillbecome thesecond%horizon% and discusswhatimplicationsforthefuturemightbedependingonchoicesthat aremadeatthisstage thetriangle%of%choice. InChapter7,Isuggeststrategicdirectionstoaddressthecurrent conflictsandensurethattorontostaysonthepathtotrueaccessibility,given therightchoicesandsupport.whileinrealitytrueaccessibilitymaynotbe reachable,itisproposedasanaspiration,sothathighaccessibilitystandards canbeset. InChapter8,Ipresentfinalremarksandfutureareasofinvestigation. 5

16 Chapter&1 &Setting&the&Context& Independence&in&an&CarVDependent&Society& TheBoomergenerationcameofageduringaperiodofunprecedented economicexpansionthatfueledthedevelopmentofsuburbancommunities andahighlevelofrelianceonthecar(seefigure1).asaconsequence,most Boomerscurrentlyneedtodrivetoaccessmanyessentialdailyactivities (Turcotte,2013). Figure'1)'Consequences'of'Economic'Expansion' Thiscardependenceisprevalenteveninareaswithhighresidential densitylevelssuchastoronto,where,in2009,mostseniorsindicatedthat theirprimarymodeoftransportationwasthecar asadriver(50%)oras passengers(32%)(statisticscanada Table3,2013). Astheygrowolder,over90%ofCanadianstendtostayintheirown homes,insteadofmovingtoresidencesforseniorcitizensorhealthcareand relatedfacilities.theseproportionshaveremainedrelativelyunchangedfor 6

17 thepast10years(statisticscanada,2013)andgovernmentstrategiesare beingdevelopedtoenablepeopletocontinueleading healthy%and% independent%lives%in%their%own%homes %(LHIN,n.d.). However,asBoomers cognitiveandmotorskillsdiminish,dueto agingortotheearlyonsetofanon8reversiblehealthissue,sodoestheir drivingability,andthishighrelianceonthecarthreatenstheir independence. Health&and&Driving&Safety& Limitationsinvision,cognitionandphysicalability,whichdevelop withagingorduetootherhealthconditions,havebeenassociatedwithpoor drivingperformanceorcrashes,ashaveage8relatedmedicalconditionssuch ascardiacarrhythmias,dementia,parkinson sdisease,sleepapnea,and stroke(marottoli,2009;niewoehner&thomas,2013). Infact,researchindicatesthatseniordrivershavesomeofthehighest crashpermiledriveninthedrivingpopulation(aashto,n.d.;governmentof Canada,2013),andindividualswithachronichealthconditionsuchas multiplesclerosisarethreetimesmorelikelytohaveacaraccidentthan theirpeerswithoutachronichealthcondition(vann,2014).nonetheless,the incidenceofdrivingastheprimarymeansoftransportationamongthese individualsisnon8trivial(statisticscanada Table2,2013),whichcreatesa riskforallroadusers. 7

18 Withsafetybeingsuchaconcern,thesemobility8constrained individualsaresoonerorlaterfacedwiththequestionsofwhetherornot theyshouldbedriving(seefigure2). Figure'2' 'Health'and'Implications'for'Driving' Mobility&and&Quality&of&Life& Oneofthemainissuesconcerningthedrivingcessationdecisionis thatastrongrelationshipexistsbetweenmobilityandqualityoflife (Ahluwalia&Weatherley,2013;Metz,2000;Norweget.al.,2013;Schwanen &Zeigler,2011).Mobilityisstronglyassociatedwiththeabilitytoengagein 8

19 socialandproductiveactivities,whichinturnhasbeenassociatedwithlower riskofmortalityandbetterfunctionalstatus(glasset.al.,1999). Drivingcessationhasbeenlinkedtovariousnegativeoutcomes, includingadecreaseinparticipationinout8of8homeactivities,anincreasein depressivesymptoms(seefigure3),andanincreaseinthelikelihoodof assistedlivingplacement(marottoli,2009;norweget.al.,2011).seniorsage 65andolderwhonolongerdrivemake15%fewertripstothedoctor,59% fewertripstoshoporeatout,and65%fewertripstovisitfriendsandfamily thandriversofthesameage(bailey,2004). Figure'3' 'Mobility'and'Quality'of'Life' Awarenessofthenegativeconsequencesofreducedmobilityhasled toreluctanceonthepartofmanyphysicianstoaddresstheirpatients 9

20 drivingabilities,particularlygiventhelackofoptionsinmanylocationstofill themobilitygapifpeoplehadtostopdriving(sinha,2012). Extending&the&Driving&Years& Theneedtokeeptheseindividualsmobilehasledtothesearchfor solutionstoenablethemtokeeptheirdrivers licenseforalongerperiodof time(seefigure4). Figure'4' 'Extending'the'Driving'Years' Consistentdriverscreeningandassessmentprocessestoavoidunfair licenseremovalarebeingdevelopedandtested(akinwuntan,2012; Candrive,n.d.).Educationandtrainingprogramshavebeenimplementedto makethemawareofchangestheymaybeexperiencingduetodeclining abilities,andtohelpthemcompensateforfunctionaldeclines(aarp,n.d.; 10

21 SpinalHub,n.d.;Niewoehner&Thomas,2013;CAA,n.d.;Vann,2014).Studies haverecommendedthecreationofsupportsystemsfortheseindividualsto continuetodrivesafely,theimprovementinvehicledesignandtheuseof advancedtechnologytohelpincreaseroadsafetyandmobility(oecd,2001; Molnaret.al.). Aseffectiveastheseapproachesmaybe,theyonlyreinforcethecar dependenceanddon tprovideotheracceptablealternatives.however,with theincreaseinlifeexpectancyortheprogressionoftheirsymptoms,mostof thesepeoplewilleventuallybefacedwithadecisionaboutdrivingcessation. Are&There&Any&Viable&Alternatives?& Inordertoaddressthegrowingneedsofthepopulation,public transportationagenciesworldwideareinvestinginenhancingthe accessibilityoftheirservices.effortshavebeenundertakeninmany communitiestoimproveregulartransitservices,includingtheprovisionof low8floorbuses,theexpansionofhoursofoperation,theprovisionofmore user8friendlytravelinformation,andtrainingfortransitusersandtransit serviceproviders(gasteiner,2012;molnaret.al.,n.d.;transportationfor America,n.d.). However,anumberofadditionalbarrierspreventthosefacing mobilityconstraintsfromtravelingbyregularpublictransitasfrequentlyas theywoulddrive,orevenfromusingitatall(seefigure5). 11

22 Manyoftheseindividualsassociatecarownershipwithqualityoflife, independenceandmobility(gilhooly,2002;siren&hakamies8blomgvist, 2006;Windle&Burholt,2003)andprefernottousepublictransportation. Theyperceivethatwhileserious(non8discretionary)transportrequirements maybeprovidedforbyalternativemeans,thediscretionarytripsthat contributesignificantlytothequalityoflifemaybelostwhenprivate transportisunavailable(davey,2007). Figure'5' 'Transit'Alternatives' Additionally,manyofthedeficitsinabilitiesthatmakedriving problematicalsodiscouragetheseindividualsfromusingregulartransit services(molnaret.al.,n.d.).asamatteroffact,thosewhosufferfromsuch health8relatedlimitationsmustoftenceasewalkingorusingregulartransit beforetheyceasedriving(oecd,2001). 12

23 Gettingtoabusstopandgettingonthebusisdifficultforthosewith mobilityconcerns,particularlyinthewinter,whensidewalksarenot shoveledandbusstopsandcurbcutsarecoveredwithsnow.many crosswalksdon tallowenoughtimeformobility8constrainedindividualsto getacross(edmontonseniorscoordinatingcouncil,n.d.;molnaret.al.,n.d.). Somefindthetransitsystemintimidatingtousewithoutguidance. Languageisanadditionalbarrierforimmigrants asignificantissuein Toronto.Whileonboard,thosewalkingwithdifficultyareafraidoffalling whentryingtogettotheirseatwiththebusmoving. Difficultieswithreadingorhearingpassengerinformationor communicatingwithservicepersonnel(windle&burholt,2003),concerns aboutpersonalsafety,anxietyaboutpublictransportrunninglate,the behaviorofsomepassengers,andthelackofconcernfromtransport operatorsfortheneedsoftheseindividuals(fiedler,n.d.;gilhooly,2002)are alsoissuesthatnegativelyimpacttheperceivedaccessibilityofregular transit.forsuchreasons,regulartransitservicesmaynotbeperceivedas accessible. Alternativetransportationoptionshavebeendevelopedinanattempt toovercomesomeofthebarrierstousingregulartransitservices,butthese alternativescomewiththeirownconstraints. Paratransit,forexample,offersdoor8to8dooroptions,butrequires schedulingwellinadvance.moreover,thehighper8tripcostoftheseservices, 13

24 combinedwithsignificantgrowthindemandhasledtoarevisionof eligibilitycriteriaandanefforttomovecurrentusersbacktotheregular transitsystem(gasteiner,2012;henderson,2007;kalinowski,2011) Taxiservicesareasflexibleasthecar,butexpensivetouseona regularbasis.volunteerrideprogramsmaybemoreaffordablethantaxi services,butalsotendtoofferrestrictedhoursandrequireadvanced scheduling(molnaret.al.,n.d.).assuch,noeffectivealternativeisavailableto providethesamelevelofflexibilityandindependenceenabledbythecar. Summary& AsTorontopreparestobecomefullyaccessibleby2025,these barrierstoaccessibility physical,operational,informationalandperceptual needtobeclearlyunderstoodandaddressedtoensurethattheresulting publictransportationsystemwillbetrulyaccessibletoindividualsfacing mobilityconstraints.theproblemneedstobeapproachedfromasystemic view(seefigure6)tobeeffectivelyaddressed. ' ' 14

25 Figure'6' 'Independence'in'a'Car)Dependent'Society' 15

26 Chapter&2 &Methodology& A&Three&Horizons&Approach&to&Accessibility& AThree%Horizonsapproachisusedinthisstudytoidentifywaysin whichwemightcreateatrulyaccessiblepublictransportationsystemfor seniortorontoniansfacingapermanentmobilityconstraint. Inthisapproach,depictedinFigure7,thefirst%horizonrepresentsa legacysystemthatisnolongerwellsuitedtoaddresscurrentneeds.the third%horizonrepresentsvisionsofpotentiallymoresuitablefuturesystems, whichmayeventuallydisplacethecurrentone,butareatbestmarginalin thepresent.thesecond%horizonrepresentsatransitionalperiodinwhichthe firstandthirdhorizonscollide,valuesclashandcompetingalternativepaths tothefutureareproposed.thetimebetweenwhenthefirsthorizonstarsto decline,thesecondhorizonreachesitsapex,andthethirdhorizonbeginsto gaininfluenceiscalledthetriangle%of%choices,wherethedecisionsmadeto resolveconflictingviewshelpdefinewhatthefuturewillbecome(curry& Hodgson,2008). Inthecontextofthisstudy,thefirst%horizonrepresentsalegacypublic transportationsystemthatisnotaccessibletoindividualswithmobility constraints,which,asreflectedbycurrentlegislation,isnotdesirableor acceptable.thethird%horizonrepresentsvisionsofwhatanaccessiblepublic transportationsystemmightlooklike,whichmaydifferacrossstakeholder groups.thesecond%horizonrepresentsthepresenttime,whenconflicting 16

27 ideasandinitiativesemerge,astorontoseekstobecomefullyaccessible.the analysisincludesfourmajorcomponents,describedbelow. Figure'7' 'The'Three'Horizons'Approach' (*) ' (*)ImageadaptedfromCurry&Hodgson,2008 & First&Horizon& &Experiencing&the&Legacy&System& Thisstageconsistsofananalysisofhowalegacytransportation systemimpactsanddefinesthetravelexperiencesofindividualswith mobilityconstraintsandtheirperceptionsofaccessibility. Aseriesofin8depthinterviews 3 isusedtomapindividuals experienceswiththesystemandillustratesomeoftheperceptualbarriersto 3 SeedetailsinPrimary%Research%Design,inChapter2,below. 17

28 accessibilityalsoidentifiedintheliterature 4 andinothersimilartestimonials (TheSeniorsHub,2014). Third&Horizon&V&Envisioning&True&Accessibility& Usingthefindingsfromthefirsthorizonassessmentasastarting point,anddrawingupontheinclusivedesign,socialinclusionand Transportationliteratures,Iproposeasetoffourguidingprinciplesto characterizeauser8centricvisionforatrulyaccessiblepublictransportation system.suchsystemshould: Offerinclusive%services; Beperceived%as%accessiblebythepopulationitisdesignedtoserve; Enable%spontaneity;and Beanintegral%part%of%an%accessible%urban%system. Thesefourprinciplesestablishaframeworktoguidetheprocessof identifyingandselectingstrategicinitiativestoachievetrueaccessibility withintheproposedaodatimeframe. Second&Horizon&V&Opportunities&and&Choices& Ithenconductasimplifiedenvironmentalscanningexerciseto identifycurrenttrendsandinitiativesthatmayimpactthefutureof accessibilityintoronto. Environmentalscanningisamethodthatenablesdecisionmakersto understandtheexternalenvironmentandtheinterconnectionsofitsvarious 4 SeeAre%There%Any%Viable%Alternatives?inChapter1,above 18

29 sectors,andtotranslatethisunderstandingintotheinstitution'splanning anddecision8makingprocesses(morrison,n.d.).itsobjectivesareto(coates, 1985): Detectscientific,technical,economic,social,andpoliticaltrendsand eventsimportanttotheinstitution; Definethepotentialthreats,opportunities,orchangesforthe institutionimpliedbythosetrendsandevents; Promoteafutureorientationinthethinkingoftheinstitution;and, Alerttheinstitutiontotrendsthatareconverging,diverging,speeding up,slowingdown,orinteracting. Itfostersanunderstandingoftheeffectsofchangeoninstitutions, aidsinforecasting,andbringsexpectationsofchangetobearondecision8 making(friesen,2014). Thesimplifiedscanningexerciseconductedhereinisnotintendedto beanexhaustivecoverageoftrendsanddriversthatwouldhaveanimpact onstrategicplanningfora208to308yeartimeframe.itisnarrowerinscope, andwasconductedsimplytoprovideaclearerpictureofthecurrent dynamicsatplayinthebroadersystemofwhichthetorontopublic transportationsystemisafundamentalcomponent,sothatthesedynamics canbebroughttobearinthefinalrecommendations. 19

30 Strategic&Choices& &Achieving&the&Envisioned&Future& Usingthefourprinciplesoftrueaccessibilityasguidelines,and buildingonsomeofthetrendsandinitiativesidentifiedbytheenvironmental scan,iproposeasetofstrategicdirectionstohelpbridgethegapbetween thecurrentstageandthevisionofatrulyaccessibletorontowithinthe108 yeartimeframesetbytheaoda. Primary&Research&Design& Approach& Thein8depthinterviewstomapindividualexperiencesandsupport thedefinitionoftheuser8centricvisionofaccessibilitywereconductedwith individuals50to70yearsoldwhofacemobilitychallengesduetoanon8 reversiblehealthconditionorduetoaging.thisgroupwasselectedto representavarietyofmobilityissuesfacedbythenextgenerationofseniors intoronto,whowillbeservedbythenew,accessiblesystem. Recruitment&and&Final&Sample& Participantswererecruitedviacontactwithvariousinstitutionsthat offerservicestoseniorsandotherindividualswithmobilityconstraintsin thetorontoarea(e.g.,ontariocoalitionofseniorcitizens Organization, MultipleSclerosisSocietyofCanada,FourVillagesCommunityHealth Centre).Atotalof10individualswereinterviewed,distributedasindicated below. Women:7participants(3usingacane,3usingawalker,1usinga wheelchair) 20

31 Men:3participants(2usingascooter,1usingawheelchair) Whilenotarepresentativesample,thisgroupofparticipantsprovides insightfulviewsoftheissuesbeingfacedbyindividualswithmobility constraintswhiletryingtonavigatethepublictransportationsystemin Toronto.Thedatagatheredbytheseinterviewsillustratessimilar experiencestothosedescribedintheliterature 5 andinother,similar testimonials,gatheredbythesouthvancouverseniorshub(theseniors Hub,n.d.). Aninterestingfactidentifiedthroughtherecruitmentprocessisthat participantsofthecontactedorganizationsaretypicallywomen.menwerea noticeableminorityinallthegroupscontacted.itisunclearifthisisdueto behavioraldifferences(e.g.,womenaremorelikelytolookforsupportin difficultsituations)orotherissues,butpotentiallyatopicworthfurther research. InVDepth&Interviews& Individualswhoagreedtoparticipatewereaskedtoanswerthe followingquestionsaheadoftime: Pleasewrite10wordsthatreflectwhataccessibilitymeanstoyou. Pleasewrite10wordsthatcometomindwhenyouthinkabout: o Accessibilityinyourneighborhood. o Publictransittrips. 5 SeeAre%There%Any%Viable%Alternatives?inChapter1,above. 21

32 o Cartrips. Thisexercisewasusedtosupportthedevelopmentofthein8depth interviewguideandtodirectsomeofthediscussionwiththeparticipants. Thesemi8structuredinterviewguidewasdesignedtounderstand(i) individuals needtotravel,(ii)traveloptions,asdefinedbytheirlevelof accesstoandperceptionofvarioustravelmodes;(iii)travelexperiences withthepublictransportationsystem,and(iv)impactonactivity engagement.topicsofdiscussionandprobingincluded: Participant%characterization:Age,gender,typeofmobilityconstraint facedbytheparticipant,mobilitydeviceandsupportneeded. Neighborhood%and%living%space:Levelofaccessibilityofcurrentliving spaceandneighborhood,adjustmentsneededsincetheinceptionof themobilityconstraint. Travel%vs.%local%activity%engagement:Probefortheneedorpreference totraveltoengageinactivitiesversushavingtheactivityaccessiblein theneighborhood. Available%transportation%options:Abilitytowalk,abilitytodrive,valid driver slicense,familiaritywithpublictransitsystem,abilitytouse Wheel8Trans,awarenessandusageofcommunity8based transportationservice,viabilityofusingtaxiservices,accesstoother options. 22

33 Travel%behavior%changes%due%to%mobility%constraints:Modesof transportationusedbeforeandaftertheinceptionofthemobility constraint,changesindecisionsaboutwhetherornottomakeatrip, howtoplanforthetrip,howmuchtimetoallocate.probingfor choices,processes,emotions,feelingsandimpactofexperienceson futurechoices. Journey%experience%mapping:Experienceateachstageofthejourney, giventhedecisiontotravel,includingthedecisionabouthowto travel,thetripplanningprocess,easeandmodeofaccesstothemain modeoftransportation,experiencesenteringandexitingthevehicle, thetripitself,issuesgettingtofinaldestinationorreturninghome, responsetounpredictedevents.probeforfeelings,emotionsand impactonself,onsenseofaccessibilityandonfuturedecisionsabout engaginginactivitiesthatrequiretravel. Activity%pattern%changes%due%to%mobility%constraint:Typesofactivities participantsusedtoengageinbeforethemobilityissues,current activitiesandlimitationstotheseactivitiesduetomobility constraints. If%you%could%make%one%change:Questiontogenerateideason improvementsthatwouldaddresstheneedsoftheseindividuals. 23

34 Thecontentsoftheseinterviewswereusedtomaptheindividual experienceswiththecurrentsystemandtosupportthedefinitionofthe user8centricguidingprinciplestodefinetrueaccessibility. 24

35 Chapter&3 &Characterizing&the&Legacy&Context& Inordertobettercontextualizetheanalysisoftheexperiencesof mobility8constrainedindividualswiththecurrenttransportationsystem,a briefhistoryofhowthissystemcametobeispresentedherein. The&Evolution&of&Regular&Transit& AsdescribedinTransitToronto(2012),publictransitservicesin Torontodatebackto1849,when108minutelongridesonsix8passenger stagecoacheswereofferedalongkingandyongestreetsforasix8pence.a 308yearfranchisegrantedbyCityCouncilin1861totheTorontoStreet RailwayCompanybroughtahorse8pulledstreetrailwayservicetothecity. Another308yearfranchisegrantedin1891totheTorontoRailwayCompany (TRC)replacedhorsecarswithelectriccars. Aftertheturnofthecentury,duetotheannexationsofsomeofthe city ssurroundings,torontowasbeingservicedbyfourseparatetransit systems,eachcollectingtheirownfaresandofferingnotransfersbetween them,makingitdifficultandexpensivefortorontonianstonavigateacross thecity.therefore,in1921,afterthetrc sfranchiseranout,thecityof TorontodecidedtocreatethecityownedTorontoTransportation Commission(TTC)tomergeallofthenetworksintoasingletransitsystem. Duringthe1920 s,significanteffortswereputintounitingthe operationsandupgradingtheinfrastructureofthettcnetwork.withthe 25

36 stockmarketcrashin1929,thesystemweathereda20%ridershiplossbut continuedtomakeimprovements.investmentsinnewcarsinthelate1930s, incombinationwiththesecondworldwar,wereresponsibleforthe resurgenceinpublictransitridershipintheearly1940s.buseswerebought andplansweredrawnforundergroundstreetcarlinesonqueenandyonge Streets.ConstructionontheYongelinebeganin1949. In1954,inordertohandleinfrastructurefundinganddistribution issuescausedbyincreasingurbansprawl,theprovinceofontariocollected TorontoanditstwelvesuburbsundertheauspicesoftheMunicipalityof MetropolitanToronto.TheTTCwasbroughtunderthejurisdictionofMetro, andatthesametimewasrenamedthetorontotransitcommission.thenew agencywasnowresponsibleforanareaseveraltimeslargerthanits predecessor. Inthatsameyear,theTTCopenedCanada sfirstsubwaylinerunning downyongestreetfromeglintonavenuetounionstation,ahugesuccess paidforalmostcompletelyfromfares.however,becausebusserviceshad quadrupled,thettcwasrequestedtoestablishunprofitableservicetothe suburbs,andtheautomobilewasbecomingthefirstchoiceofmanyresidents toaddresstheirtransportationneeds,thettc sentirecapitalbudgetfor additionalexpansionswaspaidforexclusivelybytaxpayers,though Governmentsubsidies. 26

37 Additionalsubsidywasrequiredafter1972when,underpolitical pressurefromthesuburbanmajorityoncouncil,thettceliminateditsfare zonesystem,whichpreviouslyobligedsuburbanresidentstopayan additionalfare.bythelate1980s,32%ofthettcrevenueswerecoming fromtaxpayers money. Asthesubwayexpansioncontinued,sodidtheshrinkingofToronto s streetcarnetwork,whichwasthenseenasaleftoverfromapreviousera.it wasonlyinthe1970s,intheeraofprotestagainstthespadinaexpressway andcar8orienteddevelopment,thatlocalcitizensconvincedthettcthat streetcarsmeantbetterservice,andthatthestreetcarabandonmentpolicy shouldstop. Inthe1970sandthe1980s,theTorontoTransitCommissionwas seenworldwideasa transportationshowcase.from1979until1990,itwon awardsafterawardsforsafetyanddesign.inthe1990s,however,political foot8draggingslowedsubwaydevelopmenttoacrawl,andbudgetcuts,the recession,andtheinabilitytoservicetherapidlygrowingareasoutsideof MetroTorontocutridershipbyalmost20percentfromanall8timehighof 460millionridesayear. In2009,ridershiphadreturnedtoitsrecordlevelsofthelate1980s, butafteryearsoflittletonoinvestment,serviceshavedeteriorated significantly.asthecitycontinuestogrow,evenasnewinvestmentsin 27

38 transitstart,therearemanyconcernsaboutthefutureofthesystem, particularlywithtoronto sbudgetstress. The&Evolution&of&Transit&Accessibility& Inclusivitywasneitheraconcernnoraconceptattheearlystagesof thettc itwasnotpartoftheprevailingvalues.transportationneedsofthe disabled(transittoronto,2013)didn tstarttobeaddresseduntil1926, when3coacheswereusedtotransportapproximately30wheelchairbound childrenfromtheirhomesalloverthecitytothewellesleystreetschool,at thenorth8easterncornerofbayandwellesleystreets. In1948,largerbuseswereadaptedtoofferwheelchairservice, creatingatravelalternativeforpeoplewhohadpreviouslybeentransported byambulancestomakeatleastsomebasictrips.in1975theinitialwheel8 Transservicehad46regularcustomers.Fleetexpansionandequipment upgradeledto17wheel8transvansprovidingservicefor2,500patronsby In1983,Wheel8Transscheduling,reservations,dispatchingand administrationstartedbeingdonebythewheel8transdepartmentofthe TTC,andby1989,thetakeoverof125Wheel8TransbusesbytheTTCwas complete.intheendof1991,wheel8transcelebrateditsone8millionth customer. Concernsabouttheaccessibilityoftheregulartransitsystemdidn t begintobeaddresseduntil1979,whenthettcformedthetechnical 28

39 AdvisoryCommitteeonImprovedAccessibilitytosurveyitsentiresystemfor obstaclesforthehandicapped.thattriggeredaseriesofsystem improvements,includingtheadditionoftexturedstripstothesubway platformedges,handholdstoentrancedoorsofbusesandtrolleycoaches,an electronicamplificationsystemtosubwaycollectorbooths,andadditional subwayplatformbenches. AccessibleCommunitybusservicesstartedintheearly1990s,when low8floorbuseswerepromotedasatoolinmakingtheentirerollingstockof thettcaccessible.in1993thettcembarkedonadditionaleasieraccess improvementstothesystemwiththeinstallationofautomaticdoorsatsome subwaystations,bencheswithsidehandrails,additionalescalatorsand improvedplatformedgemarkers,andtheadditionofchimetrains. Additionalimprovementsfollowed,andby2003theTTChad35accessible regularbusroutes,4accessiblecommunitybusroutes,2accessiblenightbus routes,22subwaystationswithelevators,and2rtstationswithelevators. InDecember2011,thelastofthenon8accessiblebuseswereretired, makingthewholeofthettc sbusnetworkfullyaccessible.in2012,thettc unveiledthenextgenerationoftorontostreetcars,promisingfullyaccessible streetcarservicebeginningin2014andfullyimplementedbythe2020.that sameyear,30ofthettc ssubwayandrtstationswereaccessible. 29

40 Implications&Moving&Forward& Builtduringdifferenttimes,underotherprevailingviewandvalues, thetorontopublictransportationsystemwasnotdesignedtobeinclusive theconcernforinclusivityisjustbeginningtoemergeinoursociety. Thetransportationneedsofdisabledindividualshavebeenaddressed byaseparatesystemfromitsinception,anddidn tbecomeaconcernofthe regularsystemuntillate1970s 130yearsafteritsbeginning(seeFigure8). Whileparatransitmayhavebeenadequateatonetime,giventhe prevailingviews,valuesanddemandthen,itfacestremendouspressuresto keepupwithhugeincreaseindemandundersignificantbudgetconstraints, anditnolongerfitscurrentinclusivityvalues. Eventhoughsomeimprovementshavebeenmadesincethe1970sto expandthetransportationalternativesavailabletodisabledindividualsand toincreasetheaccessibilityoftheregularsystem,thecurrentservicesarefar frombeingadequate,particularlygiventheexpectedgrowthindemand. Deteriorationofservicequalityinthemainsystemduetoyearsofdisregard compoundstheimpactofexistingbarriers. AsTorontopreparestobecomefullyaccessible,understandingthe experiencesofmobility8constrainedindividualswiththislegacysystemisan importantsteptowardsbuildingafuturesystemthateffectivelyaddresses theirneeds. 30

41 Figure'8' 'Accessible'Transit'Timeline' 31

42 Chapter&4 &First&Horizon:&Experiencing&the&Legacy&System& Inordertobetterunderstandtheexperiencesofmobility8constrained individualswiththelegacysystem,aseriesofin8depthinterviewswere conductedwithtorontonians50to70yearsoldfacingamobilityconstraint duetoagingoranon8reversiblehealthcondition.theseexperiencesare describedherein. Thenarrationdescribes(i)howtheenvironmentcharacteristics impacttheirtravel%needsandtheiropportunitiesforactivityengagement;(ii) howtheavailabletravel%optionsimpactthetripstheychoosetomakeand howtheydecidetotravel;(iii)howtheirpublictransportationtravel% experienceimpactstheirtraveldecisions;and(iv)coping%and%problem%solving mechanismstodealwiththesecircumstances. Travel&Needs&& Theinceptionofamobilityconstrainthasasignificantimpacton travelneeds,astheaccesstolocalactivitiesisreducedduetolimited neighborhood%accessibilityandwalkability. Neighborhood&Accessibility& ThecurrentrealityofTorontoisthatmanyneighborhoodsandliving spacesarenotaccessible. Mostplaces residentialandcommercial havefrontstepstogetin. Thebungalowsthatoncedominatedthelandscape,andhadmostmajor roomsinonefloor,werereplacedbymorespacious,two8orthree8floor 32

43 homes,bettersuitedforable8bodiedindividuals.asaconsequence,the inceptionofapermanentmobilityconstraintoftentriggersachangeofliving spaces,sothattheseindividualscanfunctionintheirownhomes. As%soon%as%I%started%having%a%hard%time%walking%I%applied%for%this% place. % I%used%to%live%in%a%town%house,%but%I%moved%to%a%bungalow%because%it% makes%things%easier%for%me. % Theydon talwaysmovetoalocationorlivingarrangementoftheir choice,becausetheyhavetotakeintoconsiderationtheneedsofotherfamily members. I d%rather%move%to%a%condo%by%high%park%but%my%husband%wanted%a% house,%the%kids%wanted%a%house% %everyone%has%a%house. % Thoselivinginmixed8uselocationsaremorelikelytostayput,astheir placesaremorelikelytobeaccessible,theneighborhoodoffersmore alternativesforactivityengagementandtherearemoretransportation optionsnearby. I%live%close%to%the%St.%Lawrence%Market.%It%is%very%convenient.%I%have% everything%i%need%here%and%it%easy%to%get%to%many%places. % Whilethemovedoesaddresstheirprimaryneedtobeabletofunction withintheirhomes,itdoesn talwayssignificantlyincreasetheirlevelof accessibility,aseachneighborhoodintorontopresentsitsownobstacles. 33

44 Manyoftheseneighborhoodsresemblesuburbanareasandofferlimited optionsforactivityengagement. I%can%get%to%WalGMart%and%to%the%supermarket.%For%everything%else%I% need%to%ride%my%wheelchair%up%to%jane,%hop%on%the%bus%and%get%to%bloor%west.% When%they%finish%the%mall%I%will%have%more%options%but%I%don t%really%see% shopping%as%an% activity. % Mostofthelocalbuildingsarenotaccessible eventhepublicones andpeoplewhohaven thadtodealwithdisabilityfirsthandarenot sensitivetothesebarriers. The%elementary%school%and%the%middle%school%in%my%neighborhood%are% not%accessible.%it%is%hard%to%participate%in%my%kids %school%life. % You%ask%people%if%their%places%are%accessible%and%they%say% Sure.%There%is% only%one%small%step%at%the%door%but%once%you%get%over%that%it%is%all%flat%inside. %I% guess%they%have%no%idea%what%accessible%means. % Walkability& Thestreetsandsidewalksarenoteasytonavigatewithmobility supportequipment. The%streets%where%I%lived%before%were%very%narrow%and%full%of%potholes.%I% wanted%to%ride%my%scooter%or%the%tricycle%but%it%was%very%dangerous. % Inthewinter,thelevelofaccessibilityisevenmorelimited,asstreets areoftenicyandpilesofsnowblockpathsandcurbcuts. 34

45 In%the%winter%they%clean%the%roads%but%don t%clean%the%sidewalks.%when% that%happens,%it%is%very%hard%to%go%out.%last%week%i%took%my%scooter%out%four% times%and%i%fell%three%times.%each%time%i%had%to%wait%on%the%ground%until% someone%came%to%rescue%me. % Sometimes%I%get%stuck%on%a%snow%bank.%When%that%happens,%I%put%on%my% pitiful%face,%wait%until%a%neighbor%comes%by%and%beg%for%them%to%help%me.%i%don t% want%to%have%to%do%that%all%the%time.%people%start%avoiding%you. % Thoselivinginmixed8useareasmayhavemoreaccessibleoptionsas farasactivitiesareconcerned,butfaceotherlimitations.thevolumeof pedestriansandmotorizedtrafficthataretypicalofsuchregionspresenta threattopeoplewhostrugglewiththeirbalanceandcan tkeepthesame pace. It%is%very%busy%where%I%live.%People%are%always%rushing,%looking%at%their% phones%or%with%their%headsets%on.%they%don t%see%you.%it%is%almost%as%if%you%don t% exist.%i m%afraid%they%will%bump%into%me%and%i ll%lose%my%balance%and%fall. % The%cars%are%very%fast%and%there%is%too%much%traffic.%I m%afraid%i%won t% have%enough%time%to%cross%the%street.%i%always%wait%until%a%new%light%cycle% begins%to%try%to%cross.%otherwise%i%don t%know%if%i%can%get%to%the%other%side. % Theimpatienceandlackofempathyofothersusingtheroadmakes themfeelrushed. 35

46 Sometimes%when%you%are%crossing%and%the%cars%want%to%turn%left,%they% wait%but%you%see%they%are%anxious%to%go.%they%keep%inching%their%cars%closer%and% closer%as%if%to%say% hurry%up %Everyone%is%in%a%hurry % Suchlimitationshaveastrongimpactonself8esteemandon individuals senseofindependenceandbelonging,andleadpeopletochoose tostayhomemoreoftenthanbody8abledpeople. Right%now,%I%avoid%going%anywhere%unless%it s%absolutely%necessary. % Summary& &A&NonVAccessible&Urban&System& Limitedaccesstothebuiltenvironmentandbarrierstowalkability significantlyreducetheoveralllevelofaccessibilityofmobility8constrained individuals,limitingtheiraccesstolocalactivities,aswellastotransit optionsthatmayenablethemtosearchforactivityengagement opportunitieselsewhere.thelargerurbansystemcontextneedstobetaken intoconsiderationwhenaddressingtransportationneeds,ifacitywhere everyone%can%participate%fullyistoemerge. Travel&Options& Whentheneedordesiredoescometogobeyondtheirimmediate neighborhoodtoengageinsometypeofactivity,theoptionsavailableto individualswithmobilityconstraintsarelimited.hereinwedescribesomeof thelimitationsinvolvedinselectingtheprivate%car,taxicabs,communityg based%transportation%services,shortdistancemodes(walking,%scooters%and% wheelchairs),wheelgtransandregular%transit. 36

47 Private&Car& Mostindividualshadadrivers licensebeforetheinceptionofthe disability.theytendtostopdrivingeitherbecauseoftheirhealthconditions orbecausethecostofkeepingacar,particularlyanaccessibleone,istoo high.however,theystillholdontotheirdrivers licenseinhopethat somethingmaychange. I%still%keep%my%drivers %license.%i%don t%drive%because%i%can t%afford%a%car% but%i%won t%give%my%license%away. % I%sold%my%car%since%I%got%my%health%problem%but%I%keep%my%drivers % license.%until%i%have%to%go%take%another%driving%test%i m%keeping%it. Someoftheseindividualsexpressincredulityabouttheresponses theygetfromtheirdoctorstotheirinquiriesaboutdriving,asdoctorsare reluctantabouttakingtheirdrivers licenseaway. I%noticed%I%was%having%a%hard%time%driving.%I%had%double%vision.%I%asked% my%doctor%if%i%should%be%driving%and%he%told%me%that%it%was%a%decision%i%had%to% make. % This%woman%was%blind%of%one%eye%and%didn t%have%a%lot%of%peripheral% vision%on%the%other%and%she%was%still%driving.%her%doctor%wouldn t%tell%her%to% stop.%this%is%dangerous % Whiletheymaynotbelievetheyshouldstillbedriving,theymaywant someoneelsetomakethatcallforthem.giventhatthecarisassociatedwith 37

48 comfort,control,freedom,itisnowonderindividualswithmobility constraintstrytomaintainthatoptionavailableforaslongaspossible.asa matteroffact,thosewhodidn thaveacarbeforetheinceptionofthe mobilityconstraintmaystartreconsideringit. I%sold%my%car%when%I%moved%downtown%because%everything%was%so% convenient %Now%I m%thinking%about%getting%a%car%again.%i%keep%on%thinking%it% would%give%me%so%much%freedom % Itisnotunusualthatthosewhonolongerdrivewillhavetheoptionto travelasapassengerwithafriendorfamilymember,iftheirmobility supportdevicecanbefolded.however,theseareinfrequenttripsandthey prefertominimizethemtomaintaintheirsenseofindependence. If%I%go%to%an%occasional%movie%or%restaurant,%a%friend%picks%me%up%and% drives%me,%but%those%are%rare%occasions. % my%privacy. % My%husband%offers%to%drive%me%places%but%I%want%my%independence%and% Taxicabs& Taxicabsareperceivedasveryconvenientbecausetheyofferdoor8to8 doorservices,areavailable24hoursadaywithrelativelyshortnoticeand willmakemultiplestopsifneeded.however,theyaretooexpensivetobe usedonaregularbasisandareoftenusedasalastresource. I%rarely%travel%by%taxi.%They%are%too%expensive. % 38

49 If%I%am%too%tired%to%take%the%subway%to%go%to%my%doctor,%then%I%take%a% cab,%but%it%adds%up % CurrentlynotalltaxicabsinTorontoarefullyaccessible,andtypically, theseaccessibleservicesuseatieredpricingstructurebasedonthelengthof thetripandtheywillwaitforthepassengerifneeded,foratime8basedfee. Notalldriversarewelltrainedandsensitivetothespecialneedsof mobility8constrainedindividuals,butmorespecializationisagrowingtrend inthisservice. When%I%go%out%with%my%walker%they%grab%it%and%want%to%put%it% somewhere.%i m%like %I%need%this % CommunityVBased&Transportation&Services& Giventhelimitedrangeofaffordablealternativesavailableto individualswithmobilityconstraints,somecommunity8basedserviceshave beendevelopedbynot8for8profitorganizations. TorontoRide,forexample,isapartnershipoffourteennot8for8profit neighborhood8basedcommunitysupportserviceagenciesthatprovide assistedtransportation(aswellasotherservices)tothefrailelderlyand adultswithdisabilities. Itoffersdoor8to8doorservicestoindividualswholiveinitscatchment areaandwhosemobilitysupportdevicecanbefolded.itissignificantlymore affordablethantaxis,buthaslimitedhours(typicallybusinesshourson 39

50 weekdaysonly).tripsneedtobebookedmanydaysaheadoftimeandrides arenotguaranteed,giventhehighlevelofdemandfortheservice. Evenwiththishighlevelofdemand,manyseniorsarenotawareof theserviceavailability,ordonotknowhowtogetaccesstoit. I%see%a%van%drop%people%here%at%the%mall%every%now%and%then,%but%I%don t% know%how%they%get%the%service.%there%may%be%a%way%to%get%that. % I ve%never%heard%of%this%service.%i ll%take%a%look%into%it. % Walking,&Scooters&and&Wheelchairs& Forsomeofthesemobility8constrainedindividuals,walkingisstillan option,withthesupportofacaneorawalker.however,theyareoften limitedonhowfarorhowfasttheycanwalk,whichbecomesanissuefor localtrips,aswellasforaccessingregulartransitandmakingtransfers. I%can%walk%but%I%have%the%pain%and%I%also%get%tired%very%quickly,%and% sometimes%there%is%no%place%to%rest. %% I%avoid%the%escalators%because%I%don t%feel%safe,%and%most%people%i%find% live%in%their%own%little%world,%and%don t%really%see%you,%walking%slowly%with%a% cane,%so%i%find%that%if%i%take%the%escalator%and%i%don t%get%off%like%everybody%does,% with%the%same%ease,%the%people%behind%me%get%startled. % Asthewalkingabilitydiminishes,theyresorttoscootersand wheelchairs,whichcanbeusedforlongertripsbutdoalsopresentanumber oflimitations,suchasshortbatterylifeandlimitedmaneuverability. 40

51 When%I%go%to%my%mother s%i%take%a%bus,%because%it s%a%long%ride%for%my% scooter,%and%i%figure%going%over%there%is%going%to%kill%my%battery.%my%scooter%has% a%fourghour%charge,%so%two%hours%one%way,%two%hours%the%other%way.%it%doesn t% take%me%two%hours%to%get%to%my%mom s.%but,%to%be%on%the%safe%side % I%like%my%scooter.%With%a%fourGwheeler%you%can t%turn%around,%you%can t% do%anything.%the%threegwheeler%has%more%turning%radius%than%the%fourg wheeler. % Aslimitingasthesealternativesare,theywouldstillenableahigher levelofengagementiftheneighborhoodsandthepublictransitsystem offeredmoreaccessibleoptionsandwereperceivedtobelessthreateningto personalsafety. WheelVTrans& MostpeoplearegratefulforWheel8Trans,asitprovidesdoor8to8door flexibilityatanaffordableprice. I%love%WheelGTrans%It%gives%me%a%lot%of%independence % of%a%bus%ride. % They%pick%me%up%here%and%drop%me%off%where%I%want%to%go%for%the%price% However,thesystemrequiresbookingthetrips24hoursinadvance anddoesn tallowmultiplestops,whichisnotconvenient,butpeoplefind waystoadjusttothat. 41

52 I%sit%on%my%computer%every%Sunday%night%and%book%all%my%trips%for%the% week. % Sometimes%I%book%a%trip%to%a%place%where%I%can%get%to%many%things%with% a%wheelchair%and%then%i%have%lots%of%options%until%it%is%pickgup%time.% be. ThemainissueaboutWheel8Transishowtimeconsumingatripcan I%use%to%say%that%only%WheelGTrans%can%turn%a%15%minute%trip%to%the% doctor%into%a%six%hour%journey % I%left%my%house%an%hour%and%a%half%before%my%appointment.%One%hour% later%i%was%sitting%in%the%van%15%minutes%away%from%my%house. % Inspiteofthat,peopleadjusttothesystemandoftenpreferthe convenienceofdoor8to8doorservicestothestressanddiscomfortofatripon publictransit. I%bring%my%book%and%I m%ok.%at%least%i%can%wait%indoors%and%not%at%a% cold%bus%station % WhileWheel8Transoffersaverywidewindowforpick8upanddrop8 off,itisnotveryflexiblewaitingforpeople. % They%are%supposed%to%tell%me%when%they%are%here.%One%day%they%didn t% tell%me%they%arrived,%waited%less%than%5%minutes,%left,%put%me%on%the%black%list. % 42

53 Intheend,allthingsconsidered,Wheel8Transisstilltheservicethat bestsuitstheneedsofmostoftheseindividuals.however,noteveryone qualifiesforitandsomechoosenottoapplytomaintainsomelevelof privacyabouttheircondition. WheelGTrans %I%don t%want%to%apply%for%it.%i%don t%like%the%idea%of%a%big% van%picking%me%up%at%my%building.%i%don t%need%my%neighbors%to%know%what%i m% dealing%with.%at%least%not%yet. % Regular&Transit& Experienceswithandperceptionsofregularpublictransitvary significantlyacrossthisgroup.someindividualshadrarelyusedpublic transitbeforetheinceptionoftheirmobilityconstraintandstillpreferto avoiditasmuchaspossible,astheyhaveanegativeperceptionofthe environment. I%never%used%the%subway%before.%There%are%too%many%people%rushing,% pushing,%sweating % body%odor. % I%used%to%walk%all%over%the%place.%I%hate%the%bus%I%have%a%problem%with% Otherswerefamiliarwithpublictransitbeforetheinceptionofthe mobilityconstraintandcontinuetouseitasmuchaspossible,asitallows themsomeindependence. 43

54 I m%very%familiar%with%the%transit%system.%i%have%always%used%it%and%i% still%can%get%to%many%places%with%it. % I%am%very%familiar%with%the%buses%and%the%subway%and%I%use%them%often.% I%only%wish%the%streetcars%were%also%accessible.%That%would%be%perfect % Somewerefamiliarwithpublictransitbeforeanduseditfrequently butnowcannotuseitanymorebecausetherearetoomanybarriers.notall subwaystationsareaccessibleandnoneofthelrtlinesareaccessible. If%it%breaks%down%in%a%station%that%is%not%accessible%then%what%happens? % In%some%stations%there%are%so%many%stairs %Sometimes%I%don t%have%the% energy%to%do%that%amount%of%walking % Notallstationshavewashrooms,whichisasignificantlimitationto someoftheseindividuals. Because%of%my%condition%I%have%an%active%bladder.%I%need%to%go%to%the% bathroom%frequently%and%i%know%that%not%all%stations%have%restrooms. % Inadditiontothephysicalbarriersandperceptionsaboutthe environment,lackofawarenessandempathyfromthepartofotherusers presentsathreattotheseindividualsandlimitstheamountoftripsthey make. I%can t%use%the%subway%anymore.%it%is%too%fast.%people%don t%see%you %I m% afraid%of%it.%i%don t%go%anywhere. % 44

55 Overall,nomattertheviewstheseindividualshaveofpublictransit usabilityandaffordability,theyallperceiveitasatimeconsumingandoften stressfulexperience.transittripsaretypicallyassociatedwithlackof control,longwaits,anxiety,discomfortandunpredictability,asdescribed below. Summary& &Limited&Spontaneity& Thecurrentpublictransportationsystemsignificantlylimitsthe abilityofmobility8constrainedindividualstobespontaneous.thelackof flexible,affordableoptionsleadstheseindividualstolimittheirtripstothe bareminimum,non8discretionarytrips.acitywhereeveryone%can%participate% fullyshouldprovideallofitsresidentswithsimilartravelingflexibility. The&Travel&Experience& Travelingbypublictransit,oncethatchoicehasbeenmade,isalways acomplexexperiencethatpresentschallengesateverystage:duringtrip% planningandwhenchoosing%the%travel%time,whengetting%to%the%access% station,waiting,boarding,riding,transferring,andduringunpredictable% events. Trip&Planning& Alotofplanningaheadgoesintotravelingbytransit.Peopleneedto considerhowlongthetripwouldnormallytakeandaddatimebuffertoit. I%generally%plan%three%times%the%amount%of%time%it%used%to%take%me.%If%a% trip%took%me%30%minutes,%i%plan%an%hour%and%a%half.%i%find%that%generally%works. % 45

56 Theyneedtoknowbusschedulesandplantheirmovesaccordingly. I%have%to%time%when%I%leave%the%places%so%I%get%to%the%station%on%time%for% the%bus.%if%i%miss%it,%waiting%for%a%long%time%is%very%hard. % TheyneedtocalltheTTCaheadoftimetomakesureelevatorsare workinginaccessiblestations. You re%always%supposed%to%call%ahead%of%time%tom%make%sure%elevators% are%working%and%sometimes%they%are%not.%i m%not%gonna%chance%that % traveling. Justthisinitialplanningeffortmaysometimesbeadeterrentto Choosing&the&Travel&Time& Choosingtherighttraveltimeisamajorcomponentofmakinga successfultrip,aspeaktimetripscanbesignificantlymoredifficultthan travelingduringoff8peakhours. I%avoid%peak%hours%because%it%is%impossible%to%get%on%the%bus. % I%book%my%appointments%in%the%middle%of%the%day%because%then%the% subway%is%not%full%of%people%rushing%around. % Whenapeaktimetripisrequired,itisnotunusualtogetanegative reactionfromotherpassengers. People%don t%always%say%something%but%they%look%at%you%like%you% shouldn t%be%there%at%that%time. % 46

57 Getting&to&the&Access&Station& Gettingtothetransitstopcanbeanadventureinitself,dependingon theweatherconditions,thetypeofneighborhoodpeopleliveinandthelevel ofmobilityconstrainttheyface. bus%stop. % If%the%sidewalks%are%icy,%or%if%it%is%raining%it%is%very%difficult%to%get%to%the% The%bus%stop%is%not%very%close%to%my%building.%Sometimes%I%need%to%rest% on%my%way%there,%but%there%are%no%places%to%sit %You%need%to%make%sure%you% have%the%energy%to%walk%all%the%way%before%you%leave%the%house. % Waiting& Waitingisdifficult,asmostofthestopsdon thaveseatsorarenot sheltered.iftheyaresheltered,theycanbedifficulttogetintoandoutof.% There%is%no%place%to%sit%at%my%stop.%If%I%miss%the%bus%or%if%the%bus%is%late,%I% have%to%stand%for%a%long%time%until%the%next%bus%comes.%it%worries%me. % You%have%to%walk%a%long%way%to%get%out%of%the%shelter%and%into%the%bus,% because%the%entrance%to%the%shelter%is%at%the%back.%why%do%they%build%them%like% that? % Boarding& Boardingisnotalwaysanoption,foranumberofdifferentreasons. Sometimesaccesstothebusisblocked. 47

58 The%other%day%there%was%a%pile%of%snow%in%front%of%the%stop.%I%saw%the% driver%was%trying%to%find%a%place%that%would%make%it%easy%for%me%to%get%in%but%it% wasn t%possible. %%% Someofthemobilitydevicesdon tfittheavailablespaceonthebus. If%I%have%a%4Gwheeler,%it%is%more%stable%on%the%streets%and%on%the% sidewalks%but%it%doesn t%fit%on%the%bus.%with%a%3gwheeler%i%can%maneuver%once% I m%on%the%bus.%it%is%not%as%stable%on%the%sidewalk,%but%is%works. % insafely. Subwaydoorsclosetoofasttoallowsomeoftheseindividualstoget The%subway%door%sometimes%is%not%open%long%enough.%I%don t%have% enough%time%to%get%in%before%the%door%closes. % Itisnotunusualthatthebusdriverwon tbehelpful,andwillfind excusestonotstopandletpeopleboard. One%day%I%waited%at%the%bus%stop%for%a%long%time.%Three%buses%came%by% and%each%time%they%would%open%the%door%and%say% the%ramp%is%not%working.%you% know,%when%the%ramp%is%not%working%they%don t%have%to%stop,%so%sometimes%they% use%that%as%an%excuse.%i%can%see%one%ramp%not%working,%even%though%they%are% supposed%to%check%to%make%sure%it%is%working%before%they%start%the%day.%but% three? % Somedriverscanactuallybequiterude. 48

59 One%of%them%opened%the%door%and%told%me:% You%people%shouldn t%be% here %I%guess%he%thinks%my%people%don t%belong%on%his%bus % Riding& Ridingthebusorotherpublictransitoptionscanalsobeachallenge. Manydriversstartdrivingbeforepeoplehavefoundaplacetosit,and concernsaboutfallingarealwayspresent. Where%I%take%the%bus,%I%come%in%and%the%bus%has%to%make%a%leftGturn% right%away.%fifty%percent%of%the%drivers%wait%until%i m%sitting%down%to%make%the% turn,%and%the%other%half%doesn t,%you%know.%i%try%to%hold%on%because%i%don t% know. %% Younger,able8bodiedpeopleoftenoccupyseatsthataresupposedto bepreferentialforseniorsorindividualswithmobilityconstraintsanddo notyieldtheirseatifneeded. There%have%been%times%when%actually%the%bus%driver%had%to%say% please% give%the%space %to%let%me%sit%down. Individualsfacingmobilityconstraintsdon tfeelthattheyshouldhave tobeaskingpeoplefortheseat.rather,yieldingshouldbetherule. I m%not%going%to%go%up%to%a%person%and%say,% can%i%have%this%seat %if%they% don t%get%up%on%their%own.%they%should%come%up%with%a%sign%or%something%that% says% You re%sitting%because%the%seat%is%free,%but%if%some%disabled%person%comes% get%up%they%need%it%more%than%you. %I%shouldn t%have%to%go%and%ask. % 49

60 Whilemostpassengersdon treactinanyspecialwaytothepresence ofindividualswithmobilityconstraintsonthebusorinthesubway,some makecommentsorengageinconversationsthatmaketheseindividualsfeel uncomfortable. This%woman%looks%at%me%and%says% I%admire%people%like%you %Admires% what?%she%doesn t%know%me.%admires%my%wheelchair?%it%is%not%a%fashion% accessory % Someoftheremarks,whilearguablyingoodintention,canmake theseindividualsfeelunwanted. One%day%this%person%told%me:% You%know%there%is%WheelGTrans,%right? % What%am%I%supposed%to%answer%to%that? % Transferring& Transfersaddanxietytoanalreadydifficultprocess.Uncertainty aboutwhenthenextbusiscomingisdifficulttohandle. The%bus%is%supposed%to%leave%every%15%minutes,%but%in%reality%they%hardly% ever%keep%to%that%time;%they%come%earlier%or%they%come%later.%sometimes%i%stay%in% my%dentist s%office,%if%i%see%the%bus%has%just%left,%so%i%wait%maybe%ten%minutes% before%i%cross%the%street,%because%otherwise%i%will%have%to%stand%there,%and%that% is%hard%for%me%to%do. % 50

61 Lackofaccessibleinformationaboutdelaysoraccidentshinders decision8making.theseindividualswouldliketohavemoreaccesstosuch informationtomakeinformedchoicesabouttheirtrip. Sometimes%the%bus%takes%forever%to%come%and%you%don t%know%what% happened.%some%people%have%phones%that%they%can%use%to%know%when%the%next% bus%is%coming.%i%don t%have%that.%i%wish%they%had%signs%that%let%us%know%what% happened.%then%i%would%be%able%to%decide%if%i%can%wait%or%if%i%should%find%a%way% to%go%back%home. % Unpredictable&Events& Servicedisruptions,whicharenotuncommoninToronto,place additionalstressontheseindividuals. You%know%when%they%close%a%subway%station%and%you%need%to%take%a% shuttle%service?%that%is%very%difficult.%people%get%crazy%when%that%happens%and%it% is%very%dangerous%to%walk.%all%the%buses%are%very%full.%you%have%to%stand%in%line% and%not%everyone%lets%you%go%ahead.%sometimes%i%will%just%go%into%a%store%or%a% building%where%i%can%seat%and%wait%until%things%are%normal%again % I m%afraid%the%subway%will%break%down%in%a%station%that%is%not% accessible.%it%is%underground.%what%if%it%breaks%down%in%the%tunnel? % Allthesedifficultiesaddemotionalstresstothedecisiontoofwhether tomakeatrip,andfrequentlyleadtoasignificantimpactonactivitypattern. 51

62 Summary& &Low&Perceived&Accessibility& Theunpredictabilityassociatedwithregulartransitleadsmobility8 constrainedindividualstoperceivethesystemasnotbeingveryaccessible. Thislowaccessibilityperceptioniscompoundedbythesystem sfastpace andbythelackofempathyfromotherusers. Tocreateatrulyaccessiblesystem,theseperceptualbarriersneedto betakenintoconsideration,inadditiontothephysical,operationaland informationalones. Resulting&Behavior& Thenumerousbarriersimposedbythesystemleadstoimpacts%on% activity%patternsandtothedevelopmentofcoping%and%problem%solving mechanisms. Impacts&on&Activity&Pattern& Theperceivedrisksanddifficultiesofaregulartransittripandthe lackoffeasibleandaffordablealternativesoftenleadindividualswith mobilityconstraintstosignificantlylimitthenumbersoftripstheymakeand thetypesofactivitiestheyengageinto. I%don t%go%anywhere%anymore.%i%just%go%to%the%doctor%appointments. % I%never%get%out%of%the%house.%I m%too%scared%to%do%that. % Theyfeelisolatedandhaveastrongneedforinteraction,butonthe otherhanddon twanttobeconstantlyremindedoftheirlimitations. 52

63 The%worst%part%of%this%disease%is%to%have%to%stay%home.%I%used%to%get% involved%in%so%many%activities %Now%when%I%get%invited%to%go%places%and%I%can t% do%many%things%it%makes%me%feel%bad%about%myself. % Somestillpushthemselvestostayengagedinsomeactivitiesandto haveanindependentlife. I%do%some%volunteer%work%and%I%do%yoga%once%I%week.%I%need%to%get%out%of% the%house%otherwise%i%get%crazy. % Otherswouldliketobemoreengagedbutarenotawareofoptions thatmaybeavailable,ordon tlikethealternativesthattheyperceivetohave. I%like%to%play%euchre.%Do%you%know%of%a%place%where%I%can%play%that% around%here? % I%know%there%is%a%community%center%that%offers%activities%to% handicapped%people%nearby,%but%those%are%mentally%handicapped%people.%that s% not%what%i%am%looking%for. % Coping&and&Problem&Solving&Mechanisms& Inspiteofallthehardship,theseindividualsarenotnecessarilygiving uponfindingsolutionsfortheirsituation.somehavejoinedsupportgroups thathavehelpedthembettercopewiththesedifficulties. One%of%the%things%I ve%learned%from%going%to%these%group%meetings%is%not% being%angry%when%people%try%to%help%me. % 53

64 Someareinquiringaboutwaystoparticipateinthedecisionmaking processtofindsolutionstotheirtransportationproblems. The%city%should%organize%community%meetings%and%make%us%aware%of% them.%say% we re%having%this%meeting%and%we%want%to%hear%from%you. %% Othersaretakingmattersontheirownhandsandsubmitting proposalstotheircityrepresentatives.sometimestheyfeelheard, sometimestheydon t. After%three%buses%didn t%stop%for%me,%i%canceled%my%appointment%and%i% came%home%and%i%wrote%a%letter%to%the%ttc,%because%that s%exactly%what%i%do.% They%talked%to%the%drivers%on%that%shift,%after%they%received%my%letter,%and%none% of%them%remember%the%incident,%but%it%never%happened%again. % We ve%put%together%all%this%information%about%a%service%that%is%available% in%mississauga%and%sent%it%to%our%mp%as%a%suggestion%of%what%they%could%do%to% improve%accessibility%for%seniors%in%toronto.%it s%been%a%while%now,%and%we% haven t%heard%a%word%back. % Summary& &Limited&Social&Inclusion& Themanybarrierstoaccessibilityfacedbyfacedbymobility8 constrainedindividualscanleadtoisolationandexclusion,whichare detrimentaltotheindividualandsociety.listeningtotheirconcernsand addressingtheirneedsisnecessarytocreateaninclusivecity. 54

65 Conclusion& ThestatedobjectiveoftheAODAlegislationistoturnOntariointo a% province%where%every%person%who%lives%or%visits%can%participate%fully.%thecity oftoronto(theprovince scapitalandthecountry slargestcity)andits publictransportationservicesarefarfromenablingthisobjective,as indicatedbytheindividualexperiencesdescribedabove,andsummarized below. A%NonGAccessible%Urban%System:Thephysicalbarriersimposedbythe builtenvironmentinmanyoftoronto sneighborhoodsmayforce relocation,andsignificantlylimitopportunitiesforactivity engagement,leadingtoafeelingofsocialexclusion.thedifficultyto navigatestreetsandsidewalksduetopermanentortemporary obstacles,ortothelackofamenitiesthatmakethesestreetsmore walkable,furtherconstrainsaccesstoactivitiesandtoregulartransit services,preventingmobility8constrainedindividualsfromengaging insocietyasmuchastheymayhaveliked. Limited%Spontaneity:Thelimitedtraveloptionsandthecomplex decisionprocessinvolvedinmakingatripintorontoleavelittleroom forspontaneity.lastminute,unplannedtripsarenotanoptionfor mobility8constrainedtorontonians.alternativestodrivingaprivate carareexpensive,offerlimitedhours,requireeligibility,oraretoo complexandstressfultoconsiderforadiscretionarytrip.these 55

66 barriersfurtherincreasetheresistanceofmobility8constrained individualstoleavingthehouseandengaginginmorethanthevery basic,non8discretionaryactivities. Low%Perceived%Accessibility:Theinabilitytoaccessmostofthebuilt environmentcanbediscouraging.thelackoftraveloptionslimits spontaneity.therequiredamountofplanningbeforeatripcanbe overwhelming.paratransitisperceivedbysometobeinvasiveoftheir privacy,anddisrespectfuloftheirtimeanddignity.atransittripcan beanemotionalrollercoaster.theoblivious,non8empathic, sometimesrudebehaviorofotherpeoplesharingthesystemcan bringafeelingofbeingrushed,invisible,unwanted,antagonized. Crowdedvehiclesandfastflowsbringafeelingofbeingunsafe. Servicedisruptionsarestressful.Alltheseemotionscompoundthe visiblebarrierstousingtransit,reducingitsperceivedaccessibility. Exclusive%by%Design:Resultofalegacysystem,builtondifferentviews andvalues,torontowasnotdesignedtobeaninclusivecity.the focusontheefficientmovementofable8bodiedpeople,andnoton empathyandinclusivity,leadtostructuresandservicesthatarenot resilienttothechangingneedsoftheirusers.theimmensebarriersto accessibilitybuiltintothepublictransportationandtheurban systemsimpactindividuals decisiontoengageinanumberof activities,leadingtoisolationandsocialexclusion,whichare 56

67 detrimentaltotheindividualandtosocietyasawhole,particularlyas thenumberoftheseindividualsincreasesignificantlyoverthenext decade. ThequestionremainswhethertheAODAstrategywillovercomeall thesebarriersandleadtoemergenceofaninclusivecity. 57

68 Chapter&5 &Third&Horizon:&Envisioning&True&Accessibility& Aspartofitsstrategytocreate% a%province%where%every%person%who% lives%or%visits%can%participate%fully,theaodasetsminimumstandardsfor bothconventionalandspecializedtransportationservicestoaddress physical,operationalandinformationalbarrierstoaccessibility(making OntarioAccessible,n.d.). Whiletheproposedstandardsarenecessarytoensureaccessibility, theirfocusisonthefunctional,ratherthanonthehumanandemotional aspectsoftheissue.theyaddressthemoretraditional,measurablebarriers tomobility,butnotnecessarilytheattitudesandperceptionsofmultiple stakeholders,whichimpacttheperceivedaccessibilityofthesystemasa whole.assuch,theymayhavelimitedimpact,ifany,onsomeofthe behavioralandattitudinalchangesthatneedtotakeplaceforthesystemto becometrulyaccessible. TheAODAalsoproposesamoreflexibleeligibilityapplicationprocess forthespecializedtransportationservices.thispropositionreinforcesa discriminatoryapproachtoaccessibility,ratherthananinclusive perspective,inthatitperpetuatestheexistenceoftwoseparatesystemsto addresstheneedsofindividualswithdifferenttypesofabilities,ratherthan advocatingthattheneedsofallpeoplebeaddressedbyasinglesystem. 58

69 Whilethisdiscriminatoryapproachmayberequiredtohandlethe short8termneedsofanunderservedgroupandavoidthecatastrophic consequencesofproceedingwithaserviceintegrationbeforetheregular systemissuitedtoservemobility8constrainedindividuals,alonger8term viewofhowtheseneedsmayevolveasthispopulationgrowssignificantly overthenextdecade,likelysurpassingtheavailablecapacityofthe specializedservices,isalsourgent.itisunlikelythatwithjusttheproposed standardstheaodawillachieveitsstatedaccessibilitygoals. A&UserVCentric&View&of&Accessibility& InordertoachievethestatedobjectivesoftheAODAandtheneedsof Torontoniansfacingmobilityconstraints,summarizedinChapter3,I proposedthatanaccessiblepublictransportationsystemshould: Offerinclusive%services; Beperceived%as%accessiblebythepopulationitisdesignedtoserve; Enable%spontaneity;and Beanintegral%part%of%an%accessible%urban%system. Theseconceptsarefurtherelaboratebelow. Offering&Inclusive&Services& Inclusivedesignreferstothedesignofproducts,servicesand environmentsthatare% usable%by%all%people,%to%the%greatest%extent%possible,% without%the%need%for%adaptation.itdiffersfrombarrier8freedesigninthatit 59

70 focusesnotonaccommodatingpeoplewithdisabilitiesintheenvironment, butonbuildingenvironmentsthataredesignedforallpeople.itactually assumesthateverybodyhasadisability(mace,1998). Whileweareallpronetobecomedisabledasweage,andfaceother typesoftemporaryorpermanentdisabilitiesthroughoutourlives, transportationplanninghasn ttypicallytakenthatintoconsideration. Infact,initsearlystages,transportationplanningwasbasedon understandingmobilityasmass%movement,whichcouldbestudiedusing conceptsfromnaturalsciences,suchasflowandgravity(schiefelbusch, 2010).Legacysystemsfromthatstagewerebasedonadifferentsetof values,plannedundertheassumptionthatmobilityneedsarehomogeneous acrossthepopulation,andweretypicallydesignedfortheaverage%individual, whois% perfect,%capable,%competent,%and%independent %(Mace,1998). However,mostindividualsdonotfitthisdescription,atleastnotall thetime.theresultisthattheselegacysystemsdonotservetheneedsofa growingportionofthepopulation,andthecostofprovidingspecialized servicestoaddressspecificneedsistoohigh.asaconsequence,agrowing partofthepopulationisbeingpreventedfromfullyengaginginsociety, whichgoesagainsttheaoda sobjective. Inplanningforthefuture,inclusiveness,asmuchaspossible,should bethegoal,sothatindividualscaneasilyadapttothesystemwithminimum modificationsastheirneedsevolve. 60

71 Perceived&as&Accessible& Toenablefullparticipationinsociety,apublictransportationsystem needstobeperceived%as%accessible%by%the%population%it%is%designed%to%serve. TransportationPlanninghastraditionallytakenarationalistic approachtounderstandingtravelbehavior,usingquantitativeparametersto explainmobilityandcharacterizetheaccessibilityofaserviceoranarea (Scott&Horner,2004;TransportationforAmerica,2011). Eventhoughnewframeworksforaccessibilitymeasurementhave accountedformobilityandphysicaldifferencesamongpeople,takinginto accountpersonallimitationsthataffecttraveltime,effort,andeven successfulcompletionofajourney(church&marston,2003),these approacheshavetypicallyleftoutthetravellers'perceptionofaccessibility. However,studiesfromculturalandsocialscienceshavearguedthat mobilitynotonlyservespsychologicalandsocialneeds(schiefelbusch,2010) butisalsosometimeshinderedbypsychologicalandemotionalbarriers (Fiedler,n.d.).AU.N.reportonmeasuringsocialinclusioninaglobalcontext (Atkinson&Marlier,2010)raisesthepointthatexclusionisapersonal experience,andthattheviewsofthosebeingsociallyexcluded,although inherentlysubjective,shouldbetakenintoconsiderationintheanalysisof certainaspectsofsocialexclusion. Theexperiencesofmobility8constrainedTorontonianshasillustrated thatwhilephysical,operationalandinformationalbarriersdoplacemajor 61

72 constraintsonaccessibility,perceptualbarriers,whicharedeveloped throughpersonalexperiences,cansignificantlymagnifytheimpactofthese constraints,potentiallypreventingpeoplefromusingtheservicesevenafter someoftheobservablebarriershavebeenremoved. Effectivelyaddressingtheseperceptualbarriersisfundamentalto developingatransportationsystemthatistrulyaccessibletoitsintended users. Enabling&Spontaneity& Toenableindividualstoparticipatefully,asproposedbytheAODA, thetransportationsystemshouldoffer%similar%choices%and%level%of%flexibility%to% all%individuals%within%a%society. However,thetransportationservicescurrentlyavailableforpeople withmobilityconstraintsrequireasignificantamountofplanningand schedulingwayaheadoftime,hoursarelimitedandavailabilityisnotalways guaranteed.whilethismaybeworkableforregulartrips,lastminuteplans cannotbefulfilledinthissystem.theseimposedlimitationsreinforce inequalityandareabarriertofullparticipationandsocialinclusionthat shouldbeaddressed. Part&of&an&Accessible&Urban&System&& Toenablefullparticipationinsociety,theaccessibilityofthepublic transportationsystemneedstobeaddressed%in%conjunction%with%that%of%the% broader%urban%system. 62

73 Mobility,thetypicalfocusoftraditionaltransportationprojects,is oftennotanendinitself.eventhoughthereareindicationsthatsome travelingdoeshappenforthesakeofthejourney(schiefelbusch,2010),the ultimategoalofmosttripsistoreachdesiredgoods,services,activitiesand destinations. Accessibility,assuch,isimpactednotonlybymobility,butalsobythe geographicdistributionofactivitiesandbyhowaccessibletheseactivities areineachlocation.measuressuchasintentionalservicelocationand proactiveland8useplanningareoftencombinedwithtransportation solutionstoaddressaccessibilityconstraints(litman,2002;socialexclusion Unit,2003;MetrolinxMobilityHubs,n.d.). Thishighlightstheneedtoevaluateandplanaccessibilityofthepublic transportationsysteminthecontextofthelargerurbansystem.assessing theoverallaccessibilityofnewandexistingurbanspacesandbuilt environments,andunderstandinghowanintegratedapproachinvolving transportation,urbanredevelopmentandbuildingadaptationcanhelp supportorimproveoverallaccessibilityisfundamentaltodevelopingan inclusivecity. Conclusion& Thevisionofaccessibilityproposedhereinaimsatintegratingall Torontoniansinthecommunityandenablingallofthemtoparticipatefully, irrespectiveoftheirtypesofabilities.itexpandsandmodifiestheaoda 63

74 vision,lookingatofferingequalaccessandopportunitiesforengagementto allindividuals. Itproposes(i)aimingforinclusive%services,asopposedtospecialized offers;(ii)enabling%spontaneitybyprovidingequallevelsofmodechoiceand flexibilitytoindividualsofallabilities;(iii)addressingperceptual%barriers,as opposedtojustthevisibleones;and(iv)usinganintegrated%approach%to% accessibilitythatcombinestransportationplanning,urbanredevelopment andbuiltenvironmentadaptation. Asthecityevolvestowardsbecomingmoreaccessible,arethere opportunitiestofulfillthisinclusivevision?isthisthedirectiontorontois movingin? 64

75 Chapter&6 &Second&Horizon:&Opportunities&and&Choices& Asthelegacytransportationsystemcontinuestofailtheneedsof mobility8constrainedindividuals,andvisionsofaccessiblefuturesareput forward,anumberofnewtrendsandinitiativesthatcouldimpacthow accessibletorontowillbecomeareevolving. Thisisthetriangle%of%choices,withinwhichdecisionsonwhichtrends toworkwithandwhichtrendstoworkagainstneedtobemadetoensure thatthedesiredvisionofthefuturecanbecomereality.understandingthe risksandopportunitiesthatthesetrendsandinitiativesrepresentis fundamentaltomakingtherightstrategicchoicesandensuringthatatruly accessibletorontowillemerge.thisisthediscussionpresentedherein. Trends&Impacting&Travel&Needs&& Decentralizing&the&Urban&Experience&& MixedGuse%developments%enhance%local% opportunities%for%activity%engagement%% Anewtrendinurbanplanning,mixed8usedevelopmentsbringa varietyofactivities,goodsandservicestogetherwithinthesamebuildingor neighborhood. Theseprojectscanbesimplemid8riseresidentialspaceswithretailat thegroundlevel(norman,2014)orcomplexdevelopmentscombiningoffice, retail,entertainmentandresidentialspacesallwithinthesamearea(perkins, 65

76 2014),creatingtheopportunityforresidentstoaddressmanyneedswithout havingtotravel. Thenumberofmixed8useprojectsinTorontohasmorethandoubled overthepastfiveyears(5.4%in2009to11.7%in2013),andnew developmentscontinuetobeproposed(kane,2014,feb3).theapproachis actuallyanintegralpartofthemetrolinxstrategytotransformthe transportationservicesinthegtha,asoneofthegoalsofitsmobility%hubs strategyistoreducetheneedtotravelthroughthedevelopmentofmixed8 use,transitcenteredregions(metrolinxstrategy#7,n.d.). Whilemanyresidentsareembracingtheseprojects(Kane,2014,Feb 3),someareopposingthem(Nursall,2014,Jan28),concernedabouttheir negativeimpactonlocalbusinessesandonneighborhoodcharacteristics. Torontogovernmentrepresentativesaresupportiveoftheconcept, givenitspotentialtoreducetheneedtotravel,butalsohaveserious concernsabouttheimpactoninfrastructurethemorecomplexdevelopments withlargetowersmayhave(atchison,2013).fromatransportation perspective,poorplanningofsuchspacescanleadtomassiveroad congestionsandsaturationofpublictransitandwalkingspaces. Implications,for,Accessibility, Ifaninclusivedesignapproachisadopted,thesemixed8usespaces couldsignificantlyimproveaccessibilityformobility8constrainedindividuals, astheywoulddiversifythesetofavailableactivities,goodsandservices 66

77 availableacrossthevariousneighborhoods,potentiallyreducingtheneedto travel.however,inclusivityneedstobeensured,otherwiseitwon twork. Thepotentialsaturationoftransitandwalkingspacesassociatedwith someofthesedevelopmentsisofconcern,though,asitwouldcompoundnot onlythephysicalbutalsotheemotionalbarriersfacedbymobility8 constrainedindividualsastheytrytogetaround.toensureaccessibility, appropriateplanningofthesupporttransportationsystem(includingstreets andsidewalks)forthesedevelopmentsneedstotakeplace. Democratizing&the&Streets& Developing%complete%streets,% for%all%modes%and%all%people% Complete%streetdevelopmentsarebecomingthefocusofvarious government8andcommunity8basedinitiativestoaddressanumberofsocial, economicalandenvironmentalproblemsdesignedintoacitybuiltforthecar. Theeffortsinvolvebuilding,retrofitting,orrepairingstreetstoallowmore equitableaccesstopedestrians,cyclists,transitusersanddriversofallages andabilities. Torontoplannershavestartedtoprioritizepedestrians including children,theelderlyanddisabledpeople asopposedtothecar,when designingitsstreets(herb,2013;moore,2013,jun8).sincejanuary2010, Toronto stransportationworkershavebeenmodifyinghundredsoftraffic 67

78 signalsperyeartogivepeoplemoretimetocrossthestreet,makingthem friendliertothosewithmobilityconstraints(dale,2013). TheTorontoCoalitionforActiveTransportation(TCAT)hasbeen operatingsince2006tofostertheadoptionofcompletestreetspoliciesto ensurethatwheneverastreetisbuilt,retrofitted,orrepaireditisdesigned forallroadusers(blackett,2012). Metrolinx,throughthetransportationsystemsupportingitsmobility hubsinitiative,hasalsoproposedastrategytobuildcommunitiesthatare pedestrian,cyclingandtransit8supportiveacrossthegtha(metrolinx Strategy#7,n.d.). Asthecompletestreetsmovementevolves,controversieshave emergedwithindividualsandgroupstakingextremepositions,eachclaiming thatthestreetsbelongtoadifferentmodeanddeclaringwaronthe competingmodes(ahmed,2013;alter,2013;dimanno,2013;goldberg, 2013). Implications,for,Accessibility, Thecompletestreetsinitiativehasthepotentialtomakestreetsalot saferandmoreaccessibleforallpeople notjustformobility8constrained individuals.however,forittobesuccessful,thisinitiativeneedstobeviewed asahuman8centricsolutionforamulti8modalcity(thenationalbenefit Authority,2014)inwhichallindividualscanbeusersofallmodes, 68

79 dependingontheirneedsateachmoment.itcannotbeviewedasawarin whichsomemodeswinandsomelose. Lead&Users&Take&Charge& Those%dealing%with%mobility%limitations%take%the% initiative%to%make%the%city%more%livable% WhiletheAODAstandardsfortransportationservices,combinedwith newupdatestotheontariobuildingcodeandthemetrolinxplanfor UniversalAccess,couldsignificantlyimprovetheaccessibilityofToronto s builtenvironmentinthefuture,theseregulationshavelimitedimpactonthe alreadybuiltspaceinthepresenttime(makingontarioaccessible Transportation,n.d.;MinistryofMunicipalAffairsandHousing;n.d., MetrolinxStrategy#8,n.d.). Unwillingtowaitforgovernmentguidelinestotakeshape, entrepreneurs,oftendrivenbytheirownneeds,arebuildingpartnerships andprovidinginnovative,simpleandcost8effectivesolutionstoaddress someoftoronto smajorbarrierstoaccessibility theabilitytoenterthe buildingwhereactivities,goodsandservicesareavailable. LukeAnderson,astructuralengineerwhosustainedaspinalcord injuryinanaccident,partneredwithhomedepottocreatestopgap,an initiativethatusesvolunteer8builtcolorfulcustomrampstoprovideaccess tobuildingsintorontoandraiseawarenessaboutthebarriersfacedby peoplewithmobilityconstraints(boatman,2014,stopgap,n.d.).these 69

80 rampscancurrentlybefoundinvarioustorontoneighborhoods,including Roncesvalle,KensingtonMarket,theJunctionandStouffville(Turnbull, 2012). Concernedbythefactthatthedesignofpublicspaceswillbethelast areatobeaddressedbytheaoda,silviaguido,aphysiotherapist,developed AccessTo,ablogthatprovidesinformationonaccessiblespaces restaurants,cafes,barsandpubs,concertandlivemusicvenues intoronto. Theorganizationhascreateditsaccessibilitysealofapprovaland,througha recentpartnershipwiththeoccupationaltherapyprogramattheuniversity oftoronto,isengagingoccupationaltherapystudentstogrowthenumberof reviewedspaces(accessto.ca,n.d.). MarchofDimesCanadaandQuadrangleArchitectshavepartneredto createaccessabilityadvantage,ajointventurespecializedinaccessibility anduniversaldesignthatisexpandingtherealmofavailableoffices, residencesandretailspacesintoronto(accessabilityadvantage,n.d.; QuandrangleArchitects,n.d.). Whilesomeoftheseeffortsdohelpmitigateaccessibilitybarriers, eveniftemporarily,conflictswithcityby8lawsmakeitdifficulttofindmore permanentsolutionsthatareinclusivebynature(cityoftoronto,2013; Turnbull,2013;ClearPathEmployer,2012). 70

81 Implications,for,Accessibility, Theseentrepreneurialinitiativeshavethepotentialtoincrease awarenessabouttheaccessibilityissueinthecommunity,whilehelping businessesandothercommunitymemberstofindcost8effective,creative solutionstoaddresstheseissues.collaborationbetweenthecityandthese entrepreneursmaybeanimportantwaytoquicklybridgetheinclusivitygap, butwouldrequireahighlevelofcommitmentonbothpartstofindwaysto addressproblems,suchasconflictswiththecityby8laws,astheyappear. Trends&Impacting&Travel&Options& Change&By&Choice&or&By&Force& Torontonians%avoid%driving%due%to% changing%values%or%to%escape%massive%jams% Overthelastfewyearsdrivinghabitshavestartedtochangein Toronto.Autosharinghasgrownsignificantlyinthecity,asmore Torontonians,particularlyyoungerones,choosetonotownacar (Bowerman,2014;O Kane,2013;Stancu,2012). TorontoBikeShare(previouslyBixi)offersadditionalsharedmobility optionstothoseunwillingtodrive(cbcnews,2014,mar31,robertson, 2013).Whileitcurrentlyonlycoversthedowntownarea,thereareplansto significantlyexpandcoveragebythepanamgamesin2015. Additionally,thepartialclosureoftheGardinerforrepairuntil2016 andmanyotherconstructionandrepairprojectsthroughoutthecitycreate massivecongestionsandmaybringchangestocommutinghabits(global 71

82 News,2014;Nursall,2014,Apr28),includinghigheruseofpublictransit (Aylward,2014)andpotentiallyasearchforlivingspacesinmixed8use, walkablecommunities. Thecityispreparingtoadjusttotheseshiftsintravelbehavior,trying toofferbetteraccesstovarioustravelmodes,shortercommutetimes,and greaterwalkability.metrolinxispreparingtointegratecarsharingintothe GTHAtransportationnetwork,providingdedicatedcarsharespacesatGO Railstations(Bowerman,2013;O Kane,2013;Stancu,2012). Meanwhile,theUniversityofTorontoisworkingonthedevelopment ofmarlin8atsc,asystemofsmarttrafficlightsthatcanrevolutionizethe wayvehiclesflowinthecity,andsignificantlyreducecongestion(greenberg, 2013;Hall,2013;Moore,2013,Mar23).Theuseoftechnologytosolve gridlockproblemsisanintegralpartofthecityplans,andofthecampaignof somemayoralcandidates(delcan&luraconsulting,n.d.;karen2014.ca, 2014). Implications,for,Accessibility, Theshiftinpreferencetowardsmulti8modaloptions,wherethetravel modeisselectedbasedonneedratherthanontechnologyaffiliation,is conduciveofamorecollaborativeapproachtotransportationplanning,and favorabletothecompletestreetsmodel.assuch,ithasastrongpotentialto positivelyimpactaccessibilityinthefuture.theshiftmayimpacthowtransit 72

83 offersareconfigured,potentiallyenhancingtravelalternativesforallpeople andleadingtolesscongestedsystems. Whileimprovedtrafficmanagementsystemscouldleadtomorecars ontheroad,amorebalancedtransportationsystemmaybeachievedinthe future,duetochangesinvalue,whichwouldsignificantlyreducethe perceptualbarrierstoaccessibility. Disrupting&Taxi&Services&& New%rules%and%innovative%solutions%disrupt%the% wellgestablished%taxicab%industry%% AcombinationofnewrulesapprovedbytheCityCounciland innovativeservicesbeingofferedbytechnology8basedcompanieshasthe potentialtodisruptthetaxicabindustryintoronto,possiblyleadingto better,moreaccessibleandmoreaffordableservices. TorontoCityCouncilhasrecentlyvotedandapprovedanewkindof taxilicense8torontotaxicablicence(ttl),whichallplateownersmust obtainby2024.thekeyapprovedchangesincludemovingtoa100% wheelchairaccessibletaxicabfleetwithin10years,transitioningtheindustry toasingletypeoflicense,andrequiringtaxicabownerstodrivetheirown cars(alcoba,2013;dale,2014). Simultaneously,innovativeapp8basedtaxihailingservicesarebeing launchedinthecity,withthepromiseofimprovingthecabfinding experienceforcustomersandincreasingthebusinessprofitabilityforcab 73

84 drivers.theseservicesby8passphone8baseddispatchers,connecting passengerswithdriversthroughmobilephoneapps(theglobeandmail, n.d.;tim,2012).whiletypicallychargingregulatedfares,theseprovidersare alsoexperimentingwithlowerfarestoattractnewcustomersandtestif lowerpricescouldleadtohigherdemandforcitycabs(cross,2014). Whilesomecabdriversseethesechangesasgoodbusiness opportunity(friesen,2014;torontostareditorial,2014),dispatchersare fightingregulationsandnewentrantsalike(balligall,2012;balligall,2013; Davis,2014),contendingthattheirimpactontheindustrywillbedisastrous. Cityofficialsareconfidentaboutthepotentialofnewregulationto improveaccessibilityandqualityofservicethroughprideofownership (Davis,2014),butarecautiousandtosomeextentstillopposingsomeofthe innovativeapproachestotaxihailing,whichbreachcurrentmunicipalcode andarethecauseofprotestselsewhereintheworld(lu,2014). Implications,for,Accessibility, Whilethefinaloutcomeofthesedisruptionsisunpredictable,they havethepotentialtomaketaxicabsmoreaccessibleandmoreaffordable, whichwouldenhancethealternativesavailableformobility8constrained individualstomakeunplanned,spontaneoustrips. Conversely,ifthenewlicensingrequirementsprovetobetoocostly fordrivers,cabsupplywillbereducedfurther,placingadditionallimitson theavailabilityofflexibletraveloptions. 74

85 The&Death&of&Paratransit& WheelGTrans%struggles%to%handle%growing% demand%with%limited%resources% Tryingtobalancemajorbudgetconstraintsandtheneedsofa growingpopulation,wheel8transprioritizesimportant(non8discretionary) tripsandattemptstoswitchsomeofitslessconstrainedusersbackto regulartransit(crean,n.d.;kalinowski,2012). Variousshort8termoptionsarebeingadoptedwiththispurpose, includingapilotfree8rideprogramtoencouragecurrentcustomerstouse theaccessibleconventionaltransitsystem,andadjustmentstotheeligibility assessmentprocesstoensurethatapplicants abilitiestousethe conventionaltransitsystemareobjectivelyandcrediblyappraised(griffiths, 2012;Henderson,2007;Kalinowski,2011). Implications,for,Accessibility, Thehighlyunsustainableconditionofthisservice,combinedwiththe expectedgrowthindemand,pointstotheurgingneedtoapproachthe problemfromamoresystemicandinclusiveperspective,insteadof providingsegregatingservicestogroupswithdifferentabilities.however, dismantlingtheseservicesbeforeinclusivityinregulartransitisachieved wouldbedisastrous. 75

86 Trends&Impacting&The&Travel&Experience&& Overstretched&and&Underfunded& Transit%services%continue%to%deteriorate%due%to% lack%of%investment%and%poor%decisiongmaking% Onceabeaconforpropertransitplanning,Torontocurrentlyfacesthe consequencesofdecadesoflittletonoinvestmentintransit,asthedemand continuestogrow(armstrong,2014,march13;cityoftoronto,n.d.). Accordingtotransitusers experienceandttcstatistics,regulartransit servicelevelispoor,andhasdeterioratedovertheyears.lowreliability, frequentdelaysandcrowdedvehiclesarecurrentlythenorm(hume,2014, Feb14;Munro,2013,Apr18;O'Toole,2013).Limitedbudgetandpolitically loadedinvestmentdecisionshavecontributedsignificantlytothecurrent situation. Eventhoughrecentinvestmentsmaybringsomereliefinthefuture (Kalinowski,2013,Apr5),theupcomingMayoralelectionscanonceagain changethefateofanalreadychaoticsystem(kane,2013,dec11, Scarboroughsubway);Munro,2013,Nov26).Contendersunveiltheirideas todealwithtransitissues,somemorepromisingthanothers(flack,2014; James,2014,May8;JohnToryPolicies,2014;Kane,2013,Dec11,GOTrain); McParland,2014),butwhatgetstobeimplementedandhowisstill conditionalonmultiplelevelsofnegotiationwithinthegovernment,which maybecomeanarduousprocessdependingonhowtheelectionsturnout. 76

87 Attheprovinciallevel,PremierKathleenWynneallotted$15billion over10yearsfortransitimprovementsinthegtha,buthowthemoneywill beinvestedisstilltobedecided(mcallister,2014).asinvestmentdecisions continuetobemodifiedanddelayed,thesystembecomesperceivedasless accessible. Implications,for,Accessibility, Theincreasedlevelofuncertaintyandcongestionintheregular transitsystemduetolackofinvestmentleadstotheservicesbeingperceived asevenlessaccessibletomobility8constrainedusers.aswheel8transtriesto enticetheseindividualstomovebacktotheregularsystem,commitmentto andinvestmentineffectivesolutionsthatexplicitlyaddressaccessibility issuesandperceptualbarriersisurgent. Undoing&the&Deed& The%City%and%the%TTC%try%to%reverse%service%cuts% imposed%by%the%mayor s%cost%cutting%policy% Inearly2014,MariaAugimeriwasappointedasthenewTTCchair, basedonherpromisetofocusonttcoperations,ratherthanonlong8term discussionsaboutnewsubwayandlrtlines.fulfillingonthispromise,she hasmovedtorevertservicecutsthatwereimplementedtoaddressmayor Ford sdirectiontoreducebudgetby10%(spurr,2014). Thismotionincludeslookingintoimprovingservicelevelandquality intheformofmorefrequentserviceandreducedcrowding,introducing newservicessuchasmoreexpressbusesandanetworkoften8minute8or8 77

88 betterbusroutes,andpossiblyextendingthelifeofthecurrentstreetcar fleettoaddresscapacityissues(spurr,2014). Thisapproachisconsistentwiththeviewsofthecity schiefplanner, whoisworkingwiththettconaplantoimplementasurfacepriority networktocomplementslower,costlierprojects.thissolutioninvolvesthe effectiveoperationsofthebusesandstreetcars,partiallyalongdedicated lanes,andcombinedwithheatedwaitingareasandpaymentonthe platformtospeedboarding(moore,2013,feb11).inadditiontothese operationalchanges,anewchiefserviceofficerhasalsocomeonboardto helpimproveservicelevelatthettc(kalinowski,2014,apr3). Whilevariouscommunitymemberssupportthesemeasures(Nursall, 2014,Jan28),mayoralelectionoutcomemayimpactthefateofthis proposition,asthemeasuresfacetheoppositionofsomemayoralcandidates (Peat,2014). Implications,for,Accessibility, Anincreaseinthelevelofserviceofferedbysurfacetransitcan contributetosignificantlyincreasethelevelofaccessibilityofmobility8 constrainedindividuals.beingatthesurfacelevel,iteliminatesaseriesof physicalandperceptualbarriersassociatedwithundergroundtrips.better servicequalitymeansmorefrequent,lesscrowdedcars,whichshouldreduce theuncertaintyarounddelaysandtransfers,aswellasincreasethecomfort levelwhiletraveling.overall,perceptualbarriersshouldbereduced, 78

89 assumingtheplansdogetimplementedasintended.however,election resultsmaysignificantlyimpacttheimplementationprocess. Citizens&Drive&Improvements& Concerned%citizens%take%initiative%to% address%chaotic%transit%conditions% FrustratedbythelackofactionfromthepartofitsGovernment,or simplydrivenbyanentrepreneurialspirit,cityresidentsandusersofthe publictransportationsystemaredevelopingsolutionsandrecommendations totrytoendthegridlockandimprovethetravelexperiencesintoronto. Multiplemobileappsthatproviderealtimetransitinformationare availableforthedominantoperatingsystems,andcanbeaveryusefultoolto helpreducethestressassociatedwithon8routeplanningandadjustments (Avisinna,n.d.;Emrich,2013). Agroupofcitizenshasgonethroughtheextensiveeffortofdeveloping anencompassingreportwithrecommendationstosupportamodalshift towardstransit,includingrecommendationsthattouchtheinstitutional governanceandpolicyframework,passengerexperience,affordability, leadershipandpublicsupport,financialandenvironmentalconsiderations (WesternGTAMOVEtaskforce,2014). Inthemeantime,somelevelofagreementseemstohavebeenreached thatthisverycomplexproblemwillrequireahighlevelofcollaborationtobe addressed,asdemonstratedbythecreationofmove%the%gtha(pickering, 79

90 2013) acollaborativepartnershipdesignedtopoolresourcesanddraw attentiontokeypublicconsultationcampaignsunderwayfrommetrolinx (TheBigMove)andtheCityofToronto(FeelingCongested).Representinga diversityofperspectives,thepartnershiphasfosteredacultureof cooperationanddialoguerequiredtosolvethegthatransportationissues. Implications,for,Accessibility, Thislevelofcommitmentandentrepreneurshipcanleadtosignificant improvementtothecurrentconditionsoftheregulartransitsystem, potentiallyreducingmajorbarrierstoaccessibility,astheyprovide innovativesolutionsderivedfromusers needs. Strengtheningthecommunicationandcollaborationchannels betweencityhallandtheseentrepreneursshouldleadtobettersolutionsfor serviceimprovementbeingidentified.fosteringtheinvolvementofmobility8 constrainedindividualsinthisprocesswouldmakeitmorelikelythatthe solutionswouldalsobeinclusive. Conclusion& Torontoisatamajorcrossroadsanddecisionsmadenowwillhavea significantimpactonthefutureofinclusivityinthecity. Thetrendsandinitiativescurrentlytakingplacecanleadtoextreme oppositelevelsofaccessibilityinthecity,dependingonthetypeofdecisiong makingprocessanddesign%philosophychosen.table1summarizesthetypes 80

91 ofdecisionsthatwouldbefavorableorunfavorabletotrueaccessibility withinthecontextofeachtrend. Table'1' 'Decision)Making'Impact'on'Accessibility Insummary,acollaborative%decisionGmaking%processthatfostersan inclusive%designapproachwillleadtoatrulyaccessiblesystemthatenables allindividualstofullyparticipateinsociety;acompetitive%decisiongmaking processthatfostersspecialized%solutionsfordifferentabilitieswillleadto congestedsystemsandsocialexclusion. Expandingontheopportunitiesofferedbythesetrendsiskeyto enablingtrueaccessibilityintoronto. 81

92 Chapter&7 &Strategic&Choices& &Achieving&the&Envisioned& Future& Torontoisalreadyengagedinalargenumberofinitiativesthat,if properlysupported,canleadtotrueaccessibilityinthefuture.some potentialstrategiestobuildonthesetrendsandpursuethetrueaccessibility patharepresentedbelow.adetailedanalysisoftheseinitiativesfor feasibilityanddesirabilityisrequiredbeforefurtherpursuit,butisoutsideof thescopeofthisresearch. Travel&Needs& &Developing&Complete&Neighborhoods&& Completeneighborhoods,anextensionofthecompletestreets concept areneighborhoodsthatareaccessibletoallpeople.the developmentofsuchspacesthroughoutthecity,throughapartnership involvinggovernment,developers,businesses,lead8users/innovatorsand thecommunityshouldcontributetoreducetheneedtotravelandenhance opportunitiesforsocialinclusion.thisstrategyisanextensionofthe Metrolinxmobilityhubsstrategy.Itsupportstheprincipleofensuringthat thetransportation%system%is%an%integral%part%of%an%accessible%urban%system,and itincludesthreemajorcomponents: Retrofit&and&Diversify&the&Environment& Theproliferationofmixed8usedevelopmentinitiativesinToronto representsaverytimelyopportunitytoincreaseinclusivity.newmixed8use developmentswillneedto,attheveryleast,complywithnewaccessibility 82

93 codes,whichshouldenablebarrier8free(ifnotinclusive)accesstogoods, servicesandactivitiesintheselocations.stimulifordeveloperstospreadthe locationofsuchdevelopmentsthroughoutthecityshouldbeconsideredto enhancethedistributionofattractivedestinationandtheopportunityfor socialengagement. Thesenewdevelopments,however,representjustasmallpartof Toronto sneighborhoodsandbuiltenvironment,butitisimportantthatthe wholecitybeaccessible.businessesandcityhallworkingincollaboration withlead8users(e.g.,stopgap.ca)andotherinnovators(e.g.,designschools) canfosterthegenerationandimplementationofcost8effectiveideastohelp thecity,businessesandbuildersretrofitthealreadybuiltspaces. Clear&the&Path& Walkability,inconjunctionwiththeretrofittinganddiversificationof thebuildenvironment,isfundamentaltotheoperationalizationofthis proposition,asitensuresthatindividualsareabletoaccesslocalspacesor transitoptions,ifdesirable.assuch,completestreetsshouldbeaninherent, requiredcomponentofnewmixed8usedevelopments,aswellasamajor componentofneighborhoodretrofittingprojects. Thiswouldrequireashiftawayfrommode8competition,towardsa moreholisticapproachtomulti8modalsolutionsdesignedforpeople, possiblythroughcollaborationbetweencityhallandthevariousagencies 83

94 engagedinthedevelopmentofmoreequitable,accessiblestreets,through themovetheghtapartnership. Spread&the&Word& Asthebuiltenvironmentbecomesmoreaccessible,itisimportantto makethatinformationavailable,tobothincreasetheawarenessofmobility8 constrainedindividualsaboutplacestheycangotoengageinavarietyof activities,andincentivizeotherserviceproviderstofollowthesamepath. SupportinginitiativessuchasthatofAccessTOcanhelpspreadthewordand hopefullyacceleratethemovetowardsfullinclusivity. Forexample,sponsoringacampaigntogetmorebusinessescertified withtheaccesstoaccessibilitysealofapprovalandlinkingthatinformation tothecity swebpageonaccessibilitymayincreaseawarenessaboutthe citywideeffortstowardsinclusivity,andincreasethenumberofbusinesses thatmaygobeyondcompliancewiththeiraccessibilityadjustments. Travel&Options& &Creating&Flexible&Alternatives& Aninclusivestrategythatenables%spontaneityshouldbebasedona single,integratedandinclusivetransitsystem,beaffordableandprovide choicestoexpandthetraveloptionscurrentlyavailabletoindividualsfacing mobilityconstraints.afewsuggestionsarepresentedbelow. Fund&Improvements&on&Surface&Transit& CityplannersarealreadycollaboratingwiththeTTCtoimprove servicesthroughamoreeffectivesurfacetransitoperation.inadditionto 84

95 improvingtheservicequalityatafasterpacethansomeofthemorecomplex alternativeswould,thisapproachhastheaddedbenefitthatitisalotmore accessible.becauseitisatgroundlevel,itdoesn trequiretheuseofstairs, escalatorsorelevators,whichaddcomplexity,difficultyandstresstothe travelexperienceofmobilityconstrainedindividuals.allthebusesare alreadyaccessible,andthenewlrtwillbeaccessibleaswell,whichwill significantlyexpandthecitycoveragebyaccessibletransit. Shorterintervalsbetweenstops,typicalofground8levelservices, meanlesswalking,andthereforeeasieraccess.heatedwaitingareasmean lessdiscomfortuntilthenextvehiclecomesalong,particularlyifthestops offeraseatingareaandinclusiveaccess.frequent,evenlyspaced,service alongmultiplelines(incombinationwithothermeasuresdiscussedherein) shouldleadtomuchlesscrowdedvehicles. Thesemeasures,combinedwithreal8timeinformationontransit scheduleprovidedbyanumberofappsalreadyavailableinthemarketplace shouldsignificantlydiminishsomeoftheissuesthatleadtoemotional barrierstousetransit.complementedbythecompletestreetsprogram, thesemeasuresshouldmaketransitsignificantlymoreaccessible,andhelp addresssomeofthetravelneedsofmobility8constrainedindividuals. Revertingtheimpactofaccumulatedexperiencestoreduceperceptual 85

96 barriertousingtransitwillstillbeneeded,though 6,iftransitistobe successful. CoVSponsored&Taxi&Coupon&Program& Wheel8Transisstrugglingtoaddressitsgrowingdemandwithlimited budget,andhasforalongtimereliedonaccessibletaxiservicesto supplementitssupply.manyofthecommunity8basedprovidersalsostruggle tokeepupwiththedemandfordoor8to8doortransportationservices,and thatistypicallynotthecentralfocusoftheiroffer. Therecentdisruptionstothetaxicabindustrypresentsan opportunitytoaddressthedoor8to8doorservicesneedinamoreeffective way:theaccessible%taxi%coupon%program.thiswouldbeapartnership betweenthettc,thecommunity8basedagencies,thetaxicabsandthetaxi hailingappdevelopers. Theservice,similartowhatisofferedinOttawaandinthePeel Region(OCTranspo,n.d.;RegionofPeel,2014),wouldenableeligible customerstobuycouponsatadiscountedpricetopayfortaxirides.alimitis imposedonthemaximumnumberofcouponsthatcanbepurchasedper month,andatieredfarecouldbeofferedtodifferentiatebetweenregular andspontaneoustrips. 6 SeeThe%Travel%ExperienceinChapter2 86

97 Thisservicecouldbeco8sponsoredbytheTTCandthecommunity serviceagencieswithfundscurrentlyallocatedtowheel8transandspecial transportationservicesprograms.specialfarescouldpotentiallybe negotiatedwithtaxihailingappdevelopersandtaxicabsinexchangeforpre8 loadingofcouponamountsandanincreaseindemand. Suchaservicewouldnotonlyenablespontaneoustrips,butalso significantlyreducetheplanningburdenandthewastedwaitingandtravel timesofnon8spontaneoustrips,asthehailingapps,combinedwitha100% accessiblefleetallowforimmediateresponsetoservicerequest. MultiVModal&Vehicle&Sharing&Program& Amorelong8termstrategywouldbetheimplementationofanurban mobilitysystemsuchasmo(treehugger,2011;yuan,2011),withabuilt8in travelbehaviormodificationincentivesystem. Thismobilitysharingservicewouldoffermultipletransportation modeoptionsthatuserscouldchoosefromasneeded,andwouldalsobe connectedwiththepublictransportationnetwork.itwouldincludea smartphoneapptokeeptrackofeachmember susageofthevariousmodes. Usageofmoresustainablemodeswouldearnpointsthatcouldlater beusedtowardscarsharingoraccessibletaxirides.thislong8termstrategy wouldsupportthemulti8modalcitizenview(asopposedtodriversvs.bikers 87

98 vs.pedestrians)andbeconsistentwithmixed8useneighborhoodsand completestreets. The&Travel&Experience& &Enhancing&Perceived&Accessibility& Reversingyearsofaccumulatedexperiencestoimprovetheperceived accessibilityofthepublictransportationsystemwillrequireaconcerted effortineducation,dialogandfollow8uponfeedback,inadditiontoreal improvementsinservice(discussedabove).afewpossiblestepsinclude: Marketing&and&Educational&Campaign& Improvementsmadetothelevelofserviceofthetransitsystemwill needtobefollowedbyacampaigntodemonstratetheimprovementstothe targetgroupsandtoeducatetheminhowtouseandnavigatetheimproved system.thiscouldbeanextensionoftheinitiativescurrentlybeingdelivered bywheel8transtoconvincesomeofitscurrentuserstoshiftbacktothe regularsystem. The&Perceived&Accessibility&Index& Additionally,a perceivedaccessibilityindex couldbecreatedasan ongoingevaluationofhowaccessiblethepopulationperceivesthesystemto be.thisindexwouldincluderatingsofvariouscomponentsoftheservice thespecificcomponentswouldbederivedthroughresearch andanoverall accessibilityrate.thisinformationwouldhelpthettcaddressspecific problemsandcommunicatetheresultsbacktothepopulation. 88

99 Fostering&a&Culture&of&Empathy&and&Inclusion& &The&IncluCITY&Portal& Themostfundamentalbarrierstoaccessibilityidentifiedinthisstudy arethelackofawarenessaboutmanyoftheissuesfacedbymobility8 constrainedindividuals,andagenerallackofempathyfromother stakeholdersinthesystemtowardstheseindividuals.thesebarriers,which arenotdealtwithbytheaoda,haveaprofoundimpactonperceived accessibilityofthesystemandneedtobeaddressedifotherstrategiesareto besuccessful.thisistheobjectiveoftheinclucityportal. The&IncluCITY&Portal& IncluCITY 7 wasoriginallyideatedasanannualeventtoraise awarenessaboutandgenerateideastosolvethebarrierstoaccessibility facedbyindividualswithmobilityconstraintsintoronto.thisevent describedintheappendix,combinedwithitsnaturalextension the IncluCITYPortal,hasastrongpotentialtoaddressanumberofthe accessibilityissuesfacedbytorontonians. Sponsoredbythecityinpartnershipwithbusinesses,developersand philanthropists,theinclucityportalwouldincludethefollowing components: 7 SeeAppendixforanoverviewoftheoriginalidea. 89

100 The,IncluCITY,Ideation,and,Collaboration,Platform,, ThisconsistsofanonlinesitewhereTorontonianscan: Uploaddetailsaboutaccessibilityproblemsidentifiedthroughoutthecity (particularlyafterawarenessisraisedthroughtheannualevent). Participateinideationsessionstoaddresssomeoftheidentified problems. Pitchideastoimproveinclusivityforcrowdfunding. Findpartnershipstodevelopandimplementpotentialsolutionsto accessibility. The,IncluCITY,Information,Central,, TheIncluCITYmovementcanexpandbeyondtransitissuesby creatingan inclusivenessratingsystem fortheserviceindustrythat providesacrowdsourcedstarratingthatindicatestheaccessibilitylevelofa givenrestaurant,theatre,etc.thiscouldincludepartneringwithbloggers suchasaccesstotoexpandthereachoftheirratingsystemandsparkmore discussionabouttheinclusivenessofestablishments.aspartofthis initiative,theinclucityinformationcentralwould: Providecentralizedaccesstoinformationregardingaccessibilityof neighborhoods,placesandservicesthroughoutthecity,basedonthe inclusivenessratingsystem. Keeptrackofaccessibilityimprovementsthroughoutthecity,particularly thosestartedfromideasgeneratedbytheinclucityannualchallenge. 90

101 The,IncluCITY,Empathy,Building,Program,, Similartothe40hoursofrequiredcommunityservicethathigh schoolstudentsinontariomustfulfillbeforegraduating,theinclucity EmpathyBuildingProgramwouldengageyouthinanumberofactivitiesto allowthemtobuildempathyforsomeonewithadisability(couldbemobility disabilityorexpandedtoincludeothers).theprogramcouldalsohavea componentforyoungchildren,alongthelinesofrootsofempathy(rootsof Empathy,n.d.),inwhichindividualswithdisabilitiesvisittheschools(orthe childrenvisittheseindividuals)toshareexperiencesandlearnabouteach other.theprogramcouldbedevelopedasapartnershipbetweenthecity,the TDSBandsomeoftheorganizationsinvolvedincreatingawarenessand providingservicesandsupporttopeoplewithdisabilities. Thisplatformshouldprovideaforumfordiscussionand improvementofinclusivityintorontointhenearfuture,throughinnovative ideas,andinthelongterm,throughempathybuildingintheyounger generations. Conclusions& Thischapteridentifieswaysinwhichwemightcreatea transportationsystemthatistruly%accessibletotorontonians. Thesuggestionsproposedhereinbuildontrendsandinitiatives alreadytakingplacearoundtoronto,toensurethattrueaccessibility becomesafeasibleoptionintheaoda108yeartimeframe. 91

102 An%Accessible%Urban%System:TheComplete%Neighborhoodsproposition buildsonthemixed8usedevelopmentstrendandintegratesthe supportofleaduserswhoareotherwisedrivingtheirown, independentinitiatives,toexpeditethedevelopmentofamore accessiblebuiltenvironment,leadingtoabetterdistributionof accessibleactivityengagementopportunitiescitywide,andpotentially reducingtheneedtotravel. Enabled%Spontaneity:TheCreating%Flexible%Alternativesproposition supportsalreadymadedecisionstoinvestinground8levelservicesto offermoreaccessibilityontheregulartransitsystem.itisaneffective waytoexpandexistingresourcestocreateanintegrated,accessible, inclusivetransitsystem.italsoexpandschangesalreadytakingplace inthetaxicabindustrytoprovidemoreflexible,affordableoptionsto mobilityconstrainedindividualsthanwhatiscurrentlyofferedby Wheel8Transandcommunityservicesintheshort8term.Themulti8 modalsharingprogramcomponentexpandsthescopeof transportation8as8a8serviceinitiativesalreadyinplace,andfosters long8termbehavioralchangesthatwouldenforcecollaboration betweenmodesandbetterservicesoverall. Enhanced%Perceived%Accessibility:TheEnhancing%Perceived%Accessibility propositionexpandsoninitiativessuchaseducationalprogramson regulartransitforwheel8transcustomersandthemovethegtha 92

103 partnershiptogiveusersavoice,actontheirfeedback,andpromote theoutcome,creatingapositivelooptoenhancetheperceivedlevelof accessibilityoftheregulartransitsystem. Inclusive%by%Design:TheIncluCITY%Portalcombinesaseriesof collaboration,co8creationandempathybuildingtoolstochangethe prevailingcultureinthecitytowardsamoreinclusiveonebymeans ofacollaborativeapproachtoproblemsolving.itexpandsthescopeof someofthecollaborationinitiativessuchasmovethegthaand opensmorespaceforcitizens,usersandentrepreneurstojointhe searchforsolutions. Evaluatingthesehigh8levelstrategiesfordesirabilityandfeasibility wouldbethenextstage. 93

104 Chapter&8 &Concluding&Remarks&and&Further&Research& Concluding&Remarks& Inthisresearch,Iidentifiedwaysinwhichwemightcreatea transportationsystemthatistruly%accessibletotorontonians. Acombinationofsystemsthinking,user8centricdesignandstrategic foresightmethodologieswasusedto(i)identifyperceptualbarriersto accessibilityinthepublictransportationsystem;(ii)definethemeaningof accessibilityfromtheperspectiveofthosefacingmobilityconstraints;(iii) settheprinciplestobefollowedifauser8centriclevelofaccessibilityistobe reached;(iv)assesshowlikelyitisthatthesystemwillbecomeaccessiblein thefuture,accordingtotheseprinciples,givencurrenttrendsandconflicting views;and(v)proposedirectionstoensurethattheuser8centricvisionof accessibilitywillbeachievedwithintheaodalegislation108yeartimeframe. Theprocessdetermined,basedonusers input,thatatrulyaccessible systemshould: Offerinclusive%services; Beperceived%as%accessiblebythepopulationitisdesignedtoserve; Enable%spontaneity;and Beanintegral%part%of%an%accessible%urban%system. Followinganenvironmentscan,theresearchbuildsoncurrenttrends andinitiativestoproposestrategicdirectionstoachievetrueaccessibilityin Toronto.Theresearchoffersthreemaincontributions: 94

105 True&Accessibility&Principles&& Theresearchproposesandillustratesasetofhuman8centric principlestodefineandassessthelevelofaccessibilityofapublic transportationsystem.whileusefultoguidethisspecificanalysis,and potentiallygeneralizableforfurtherapplications,thisframeworkneedstobe furtherdeveloped,testedandvalidatedwithalarger,representativesample ofthetargetpopulation,usingacombinationofqualitativeandquantitative methodologies.nonetheless,itrepresentsastartingpointtowardsahuman8 centricapproachtoaccessibility. Accessible&Toronto&& Theresearchalsoidentifiesopportunitiesandproposesstrategic directionstoensurethattorontowillbecomeatrulyaccessiblecitywithin theaoda108yeartimeframe 8.Itlooksatasetofalternativestoaddressthe identifiedtravelneeds,thelackoftraveloptionsandthepoorexperiences thatraiseaperceptualbarriertotransituse(seetable2forasummary).the fulldevelopmentandassessmentoftheproposedstrategiesforfeasibility anddesirabilityarestillrequired,butoutofthescopeofthisresearch. Itshouldbenotedthatwhiletrueaccessibilitymayneverbe completelyreachable,itisproposedasavisiontohelpsetahigherinclusivity targetfortoronto.thiscitywasonceabeaconofpropertransitplanning, 8 Itisimportanttohighlightthatalongertimeframeandastrongerfocuson foresightratherthanonuser8centricdesignapproachesforshort8term problemsolvingmighthaveleadtodifferentsolutionsbeingidentified.see FurtherResearch,inChapter8,foradditionaldiscussion. 95

106 andtheopportunitytobecomealeaderinaccessibilitycannowbegrabbed. However,itisimportantthatactionistakennowtoensurethatthewindow ofopportunityisnotmissed. Table'2' 'Strategies'for'a'Truly'Accessible'Toronto' Transportation&Planning&Framework& Finally,theresearchdemonstratestheinitialstepsofaprocessto integratestrategicforesight(inparticularthethree%horizonsmethodology) anddesignthinkingintotransportationplanning(seefigure9),whichcould beveryusefultoensurethatfuture8proofuser8centricsolutionsare identifiedforsuchacomplexproblem.inalogicalfollow8up,thequalitative findingsregardingthetravelexperiencewouldbevalidatedbyprimary quantitativeresearchandincorporatedintotransportationdemand 96

107 forecastingsystems.thestrategygenerationprocesswouldinvolveapanel ofexpertsandrepresentativesofallmajorstakeholderssothatissueswith thepropositionscanbeidentifiedandaddressedduringtheideationprocess, leadingtosolidrecommendations. Figure'9' 'Transportation'Planning'Framework' Further&Research&and&Developments& Anumberofissuesandideasidentifiedinthisstudyarepresentedas potentialtopicsforexplorationinfurtherresearch. Validation%of%Qualitative%Findings%at%the%Population%Level:Asdiscussed throughoutthisdocument,thisisaqualitativestudy,basedonasmall sampleofthepopulationandsupportedbyadditionalreviewsofthe 97