18 January 2010

Newmarket Rail Station accessible for blind and partially sighted people 

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) applauds Auckland Regional Transport Agency, KiwiRail, Ontrack and the project team that supervised the design and construction for the Newmarket Rail Station project for considering the transport needs of blind and partially sighted people.

The RNZFB has worked collaboratively with all parties involved from the beginning of the project to ensure accessibility measures were put in place at the Newmarket Rail Station, which is open to the public from Monday 18 January.

The station is vital to many blind and partially sighted people due to its location, which is in close proximity to the Newmarket shopping centre, the city and the RNZFB’s Auckland office.

RNZFB Community Education and Information Manager Chris Orr, has been involved with the project since the beginning.

The RNZFB supports an accessible and equitable society to ensure blind and partially sighted people feel safe and confident moving around in the physical environment.

To achieve this goal, the RNZFB works in partnership with our stakeholders to advocate changes that remove current barriers. The RNZFB also aims to ensure our built environment is inclusive, sustainable and adopts universal design to help blind and partially sighted people move around the physical environment and negotiate public amenities.

“The RNZFB provides training for blind and partially sighted people to gain awareness of their environment, negotiate obstacles and make decisions when crossing roads. but it’s also really important for accessible measures to be in place, particularly around roads and public transport areas to ensure blind people can find their way around safely,” Chris says.

“The Newmarket Rail Station is an excellent example of an accessible public transport space. By working with the Auckland City Council, Auckland Regional Council and the transport bodies on this project, the RNZFB was able to have vital input into a project which will be of great benefit to blind and partially sighted people,” Chris says. 

Some of the accessible measures at the station include tactile indicators, colour contrast and excellent lighting. All of these measures help blind and partially sighted travellers find their way around the station.

Tactile indicators are raised yellow markers on the ground. These act as directional indicators for a blind pedestrian to follow; for example at the Newmarket Rail Station these lead towards the shelter. The indicators also act as a warning or guide; in this context they show the proximity to the edge of the platform. The high visibility yellow colour also allows partially sighted people to see them easier.

“It’s quite interesting that since the introduction of tactile indicators, there has been a boom of blind travellers using the rail network. Tactile indicators give them confidence that they are heading in the right direction. It has also benefitted sighted pedestrians who are more aware of their own safety and will stand further back from the edge of the platform,” Chris says.

The use of colour contrast at the rail station is another accessible concept at the station, which enable partially sighted people to identify glass walls and doors.

The RNZFB also provides blindness awareness training to many public transport staff to ensure transportation is accessible.

“I’m rapt with the final result. It’s light and airy, under cover and easy to navigate. It will give blind and partially sighted people confidence to move around the environment within the confines of the station. The attention to detail by all involved with the design and conception of this project has been superb. Their willingness to listen and get it right from the start has been great,” Chris says.

The RNZFB looks forward to working with councils and transport agencies in the future to ensure accessible transport for all people, including those who are blind and partially sighted.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

• Rozz Macdonald, Communications Coordinator,
  Phone: 09 355 6891, email: comms@rnzfb.org.nz,
• Chris Orr, Community Education and Information Manager,
  Mobile: 021 762 011.