Designing for Disabled People in Home Zones
8.0 Conclusions
This study utilised three main methods of gathering data from users of Home
Zones, namely structured site tests, focus groups and a participant questionnaire.
The analysis of the findings has identified issues about the use of Home Zones by
disabled people and has added strength of opinion to the often anecdotal
information contained in some of the other available guidance.
The project has developed a methodology whereby individual features commonly
found within Home Zones can be described in generic terms of how they affect the
use of a Zone, and how they can be used to delineate space, create feelings of
safety and, at the same time, maximise freedom of movement and appropriate
decision making.
However, it is clear that disabled people generally have some very serious
concerns and negative experiences of the use of Home Zones. In the study, the
design of Home Zones received almost three times as many negative comments
about design features as positive ones.
Disabled people do not accept the premise that the concept of the Home Zone will
permanently change the behaviour of players such as motorists and cyclists,
especially as inappropriate behaviour by these players can have such serious
consequences for disabled people.
However, an understanding of the issues experienced by disabled people and
careful attention to the design and layout of features used within a Zone can go
some way to addressing these concerns. This requires an understanding of the
concerns of the users and a willingness to address how the provision of features
and facilities within the Zone can impact on people's perceptions of it.
8.1 Recommendations for those Promoting the Use of Home Zones
8.1.1 Key Findings and Guidance from the Site Tests, Questionnaires and Focus Groups
This project has identified several key areas that affect the use of Home Zones by
disabled people, and the extent to which they feel comfortable and safe when doing
so.
These can be summarised as follows:
- Home Zones and similar shared areas can pose problems for disabled
people. In general, disabled people prefer to have the option of using a
complementary delineated pedestrian area that is clearly defined and
unambiguous (7.1.1.4 and 7.1.1.5);
- Orientation is aided where there is a continuous building line or where
there is a readily identifiable pedestrian pathway or route (7.1.3.4);
- Identifying the preferred uses of areas or routes to be used or followed
by vehicles and pedestrians can be done by -
- delineating space and activity at surface level (using, for
example, visual contrast - although this will not be of benefit
blind people with no remaining vision);
- physical features at ground level (using, for example, tactile
surface finishes);
- intermittent physical features above surface level (using, for
example, bollards, trees, individual planters. lampposts, and
individual seats); or,
- continuous physical features above surface level (using, for
example, long planters, rows of seating, and railings)
(7.1.1.4 and 7.1.2.4);
- Any method used to delineate space should not unduly restrict the
general freedom of movement of pedestrians (7.1.2.4);
- Whilst clearly identifiable pedestrian pathways benefit disabled people,
attention is also needed to the siting and provision of appropriate
crossing points or routes (7.1.4.4 and 7.2.7.5);
- The provision for disabled people to cross the paths of vehicles or to
identify the preferred uses of different areas should be clearly
identifiable and unambiguous for drivers, disabled pedestrians and
cyclists (7.1.2.4 and 7.1.5.3);
- Pedestrians are more positive about using a Home Zone if it has
identifiable pedestrian pathways and the speed of vehicles is kept below
20mph to aid detection (7.2.2.4, 7.2.3.5, 7.2.5.4 and 7.2.8.4);
- Freedom of movement is a positive factor within a Home Zone. However,
safety and security are also important factors to be considered;
- Gateways to a Home Zone should be readily identifiable to all users.
This can be done by the appropriate provision and positioning of signs,
and by a tactile indicator incorporating the use of differing surface
finishes (7.1.6.4);
- At gateways, care should always be taken that the design and extent of
any tactile surfaces do not impede access and egress to the Zone by
people using mobility aids. (7.1.6.4);
- The position of areas allocated for parking and the vehicle routes to
those areas should be identifiable and predictable (7.1.7.5);
- Informing residents, motorists, cyclists and the wider community of
what a Home Zone is and how it should be used will have an important
and beneficial effect on how it is used (7.2.8.4, 7.2.9.4, and 7.10.5);
- Street furniture can be used to assist in identifying the preferred use of
areas, provide protection, and influence the movement and flow of
vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists (7.1.8.4);
- It is important that street furniture is only provided where it is necessary
and it should always act as an integral part of the overall design
(7.1.8.4);
- The potential for street furniture to present a tripping or collision hazard
will be lessened if it:
- is logically placed;
- extends at least one metre above surface level;
- is positioned such that any horizontal elements do not project
into circulation routes (i.e. the horizontal section of a seat);
- has its position identified by surface level visual contrast or a
tactile area;
o contrasts visually against the background against which it will
be viewed in both natural day-light and artificially-lit situations
(7.1.2.4 and 7.1.8.4);
- Good lighting is essential to enhance a feeling of personal safety, to
identify routes and obstacles, and to gather information (for example,
from signs and visual contrast) (7.1.10.4);
- Lighting should not cause undue or confusing shadows and be
designed to deliver a uniformity of illumination within the Zone
(7.1.10.2);
- The recommended standard maintained illuminance within a Zone
should be between 20 and 50 lux (7.1.10.4);
- The selection of light sources (bulbs and lamps), should consider their
effect (for example, colour rendering performance) on the visual
contrast selected to identify features within the Zone. Management
practices should be in place to ensure that lighting is appropriately
maintained (7.1.2.5 and 7.1.10.3);
- Surface finishes should be smooth, level, and slip resistant in all
weather conditions. Surfaces should always be appropriately managed
to reduce seasonal hazards, such as ice and leaves (7.1.9.5);
- Surface gradients should be kept to a minimum but should always be
designed to prevent standing water. Adverse cambers should be
avoided (7.1.12.4);
- Drainage features should be located away from main pedestrian routes
and any drainage covers and gratings used should have a maximum
size of openings of 13mm (7.1.12.4);
- Obstructions overhanging circulation routes caused by projecting
features such as seating, signs, trees and other vegetation etc, should
be avoided. Where unavoidable, the obstruction should be protected
with a barrier at low level and clearly identified using visual contrast
(7.1.11.4);
- Overhanging trees and shrubs should not extend below 2.1m above
surface level (7.1.11.4).
8.1.2 Implementing the Key Findings
The literature review identified several current good design guidance documents,
including the "Home Zones Design Guide" published by IHIE. However, since its
publication in 2002, knowledge of the issues relating to the design and use of
Home Zones has changed. Other guidance recently published includes the 'Manual
for Streets" which, whilst also considering the broader issues related to the concept
of shared spaces, also contains some guidance on Home Zones.
By undertaking site tests, interviews and focus group sessions with a
representative sample of disabled people, designers and others, the findings from
this study enhance and extend current guidance. In that respect, it is suggested
that the most appropriate format for the findings of this study to be disseminated is
in a manner that extends the guidance already available, rather than as a 'standalone'
additional guidance document.
We understand that organisations such as the IHIE would be receptive to
suggestions of combining and extending the findings in this way.
8.2 Further Study
This study has met its objectives in terms of the scope of the study proposed.
However, one issue that was identified as an area where further guidance is
needed relates to the provision of visual contrast in external areas such as Home
Zones, and especially when they are artificially lit. Whilst not part of this study, it was noted that some users described difficulties in seeing hazards and delineation
where visual contrast had been used to identify its presence. Therefore, further
study is recommended into the effects of artificial lighting regimes on the
identification of visual contrast in Home Zones, including the influence of
illuminance and the colour rendering characteristics of the light sources.
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