A report from the Transport Research Foundation (TRL) and the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) has raised concerns that disabled people could lose out unless accessibility is prioritized when it comes to autonomous vehicles.
Titled The Impact of Automated Transport on Disabled People, the report explores how disabled people could become regular users of self-driving vehicles. However, it also warns that automated transportation could replicate or even exacerbate the barriers disabled individuals currently face.
The research was funded by the Motability Foundation and the project was initiated by TRL and RiDC in response to growing concerns that the needs of disabled people are not being met when designing driverless vehicles.
The evidence from the report supports the need for designers to ensure development of inclusive automated transportation technologies and services. The detailed feedback from disabled consumers opens a new perspective, making it easier for designers to understand the needs, perceptions and challenges faced by disabled people.
Indigo Ayling, associate director of research at the RiDC, said, “Our findings show that many of the challenges already experienced in conventional transport, such as difficulties boarding vehicles, lack of accessible information and the absence of staff to provide assistance, will persist or worsen if not addressed in automated systems. Involving disabled people from the beginning in the design and testing of new services is essential.”
Dr George Beard from TRL stated, “Our research has revealed concerns over safety and the reliability of automated transport. For example, the absence of a human driver, who traditionally assists passengers with a range of non-driving-related tasks, such as ramp deployment or providing information, was identified as a significant issue that needs to be addressed.”
Despite a change of government, the UK is preparing for the rollout of large-scale trials of autonomous vehicles on public roads, possibly within 18 months. This report appeals for an avoidance of mistakes made during previous leaps in technology, when accessibility was overlooked in favor of rapid deployment.
The researchers stress the importance of clear regulations that promote inclusivity. They also recommend better guidance on how to include disabled people in the design and implementation of automated transportation services. They advocate for a framework based on three pointers: a user-centric design for disabled individuals, accessibility at every stage from booking to destination, and active and ongoing monitoring that evaluates accessibility features and improves them based on user feedback.