Design
of Large Passenger Ships and Passenger Infrastructure:
Guidance on Meeting the Needs of Disabled People
Section 3
Shore to Vessel Transition
Weather Protection
3.1 As much as possible of any walkway from the passenger terminal
to the vessel should be covered and protected from the weather. It should
have good lighting at all times, whether natural or artificial.
Queue Rails
3.2 Queue rails should be brightly-coloured epoxy or plastic-coated
tubular metal with a diameter of 45-50mm and be set at a height of between
800mm and 900mm. A stainless steel finish is difficult to grip and cold,
and should not be used. Sharp corners should be avoided, and a kerb provided
directly below rails at ground level to guide visually-impaired cane users.
Pedestrian Crossing Points
3.3 The points where pedestrians have to cross the path of vehicles
should be kept to a minimum consistent with ease of pedestrian access
and other movements. Crossings should be well lit and clearly marked for
both drivers and pedestrians, with the roadway marked in alternate colour
bands (yellow or white) and with dropped kerbs and tactile surfaces. The
DETR ‘Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces’ (see Appendix
2) gives full details of the range and use of tactile surfaces.
3.4 The minimum width of an obstacle-free through route or passageway
should be 2000mm where possible, subject to a minimum 1800mm, to enable,
for example, a wheelchair user and a pram to pass. This area should be
kept clear of all obstructions. Crossfalls across the main pedestrian
flow should be avoided wherever possible, and should not exceed that which
is required for drainage purposes.
Ramps
3.5 Longitudinal slopes and ramps should be
kept as shallow as possible, and of consistent gradient, with a slope
of 5 per cent (1:20) or less. Where this cannot be achieved, the maximum
gradient should never exceed 8 per cent (1:12). In either case the ramp
length should, wherever possible, not exceed five metres between horizontal
landings. If, at high or low tide, a ramp steeper than 1:12 is unavoidable
it should not be longer than three metres, landings should be provided
except where the ramp itself is subject to tidal movement, and assistance
should be offered to anyone using a wheelchair or has a walking impairment.
As many people cannot negotiate ramps without assistance - particularly
when descending - the provision of a separate flight of steps, where possible,
can be beneficial. Stepped ramps (ramps incorporating one or more steps)
should never be used.
3.6 Ramps should have a minimum width of 2,000mm between handrails.
A reduced width of 1,350mm may be acceptable over short lengths as long
as there is a minimum width of 2,000mm between handrails at the top and
bottom, and on any intermediate horizontal landings. On longer ramps,
separate ‘up’ and ‘down’ streams may be provided,
with a minimum clear width of 1,000mm between the side and central handrails.
The sides of ramps should be protected by raised kerbs detectable by long-cane
users, and have handrails on both sides, with a central handrail on wider
ramps.
3.7 Staff assistance should also be available.
Lifts
3.8 Guidance on the design of, and access to, lifts can be found
in section 5.2.
Steps and Stairs
3.9 Guidance on the design of, and access to, steps and stairs
can be found in section 5.9.
Published: 29 November 2000
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