Innovating Streets to Include Everyone

There is currently a lack of innovation in road design that adequately addresses universal design while preparing for future technologies. Part of this is due to a lack of data collected on the travel patterns of those with a disability. Since there is currently no travel data on people with disabilities, it’s hard to know how and where to make improvements to best serve those not currently included.

There is currently a lack of safe places in the CBD of Hamilton for micro-mobility users, elderly people and people with disabilities to access the community in harmony. Cars are currently allowed in narrow streets where e-scooters and bikes are forced on the footpath, making it unsafe for both pedestrians and micro-mobility users.

There is a lack of certainty of travel distances for people with disabilities due to accessible parks being spread out and in low numbers. If an accessible car park close to your destination is taken (which is common), it may be 500m or more to the next park. That is too far for many people, so they go home or don’t even try to access public places in the first place as a result of learned helplessness.

Using the data we collect in the audits and when monitoring people with different ability levels, we are designing inclusive streetscapes by being creative and looking to prepare for the long-term future. We do this by focusing on including aiming to achieve universal design to include all members of society including young families, the growing aged population, and disabled people.