Data collection on the accessibility of stops
Introduction
What obstacles must travelers with mobility impairments overcome when traveling within the Free State of Bavaria? What is the current state of stop facilities in terms of accessibility?
The amendment to the Passenger Transportation Act, which came into force in January 2013, stipulates that full accessibility must be achieved for the use of public transport. A prerequisite for barrier-free passenger routing and the targeted expansion of infrastructure is the assessment of the current condition at all stops.
The survey experts at PTV also record the facilities of your infrastructure. Feel free to contact us if you are planning a survey project.
Project Description
The Bavarian Railway Company (BEG), as a state-owned enterprise, is responsible for ensuring that the basic data of all stops in the Free State of Bavaria are cataloged and kept up to date in the passenger information system DEFAS. The focus is on equipment features and their suitability for accessibility. The task of recording this data for approximately 48,000 Bavarian stops and transferring it to the DEFAS timetable information system was assigned to PTV Transport Consult.
Project Details
Determination of the total population
For centralized data management in DEFAS, the existing data must be cross-checked and supplemented with the data from the 96 districts and independent cities, as well as other responsible authorities. This involves approximately 48,000 stops, which need to be coordinated with the persons responsible for each stop.
Field surveys then reveal which of these stops exist and in what specific configurations.
On-site data collection
Equipped with safety vests, measuring wheels, and tablets, more than 60 surveyors are deployed in the field over a period of more than 24 months. Their task is to record the features of the stops according to the DELFI catalog and to document them visually.
The collected data is uploaded to the central DEFAS server, where it is made available for review through the backend system.
Data verification and quality
In a detailed review, we verify the data entries using the images. If any gaps cannot be filled, follow-up surveys are conducted.
A subsequent verification, carried out as part of further processing in OpenStreetMap, confirms the high quality of the collected data.
Conclusion
The 24-month project has demonstrated the importance of centrally collecting and consolidating the diverse, extensive, and complex data on stops in Bavaria. With the data cataloged and recorded by PTV, the presentation of stop features alongside timetable information is significantly enhanced. This results in more information and transparency for passengers, including improved support for barrier-free travel on public transport.