MINUTES / POA CMRL & DRA MEET 4-JUL-2014

CHENNAI METRO RAIL ACCESSIBILITY FOR PwD

20Jul2014

DearMr.NarasimPrasad,

ThankyouforarrangingwhatwasamostinspiringdiscussiononCMRLaccessibility.
Apologiesforthedelayinreplying,someoftheseareasneededextensiveresearching.

Topicsdiscussedinthemeetingwereasfollows:

1. CMRLhasfollowedtheGuidelinesandSpaceStandardsforBarrierFreeBuilt
EnvironmentforDisabledandElderlyPersons1 ofCPWD,MinistryOfUrban
development,1998.(HereafterreferredtoasCPWDnorms)

DRAhighlightedthatbuiltaccessibilityishoweveronlyonepartoftheaccessibility
chain,otherelementslikeequipment,furnitureandservicesprovidedbypublic
entitiesmustbepartofaccessibilitycomplianceasshouldoperationand
maintenanceofthesametosustainaccessibilitystandards.Examples(lifts,toilets
etc)weregiven.

2. Passengerflowofpeoplewithdisabilitieswasdiscussedafterpresentations/inputs
fromCMRLteammembers(rollingstock,design,lifts,smartcards,architect,HRand
PR).
Fromourunderstanding

Theneedforaccessibledisabledparkingwhereparkingspaceisallottedand
pickup/dropoffpreferentialbayfordisabledatthenearestconvenient
entrancewasstressed.
Entranceswillbeaccessiblewithawiderampand/orliftforanychangein
level.
Toilet,landing,staircaseandpathwayswillalsobeasperCPWDnorms.
AtleastonestaffedcounterofanyticketingpointwillbeofCPWD
recommendedparameters,heightandwidthtoaccommodateanindependent
wheelchairuser.
AtleastoneoftheAFCbarriergateswillbewideenoughtoaccommodatea

GuidelinesandSpaceStandardsforBarrierFreeBuiltEnvironmentforDisabledandElderly
Persons

wheelchairuser.

Surfaceswillbedry,welllitandslipresistantwithsuitablecolourcontrastvis
avistactileguidancecorridor.DRAflaggedtheneedforregularaccessaudit
schedulesandrefreshertrainingbasedonanoperationsandmaintenance
guidancemanualtoensureaccessibilityisnotcompromised(examplewet
floorsinaccessibletoiletsposegreatinconveniencetodisabledpassengers
withoutaids/applianceswhomovearoundbycrawling)orrendereduseless
(exampleaccessiblebathroomkeptlockedorusedasfacilitymanagement
storage.)

Asuitableemergencyassemblypointwillbedemarcatedinaccordanceto
CMRLsstationemergencyevacuationprotocolfordisabledpassengers.
Locationalsignage(withbrailleandAACpictogram)andalerts/
announcementswillbeuniversallydesignedwithprovisionofothersensory
counterpartswhereverfeasible.(Foregaudioannouncementforliftstartor
stopcouldhaveavisualcounterpartbywayoflightwhichglowsgreen,amber
andredandflasheswheneverappropriate).Additionalinformationalsignage
wasalsoexplored(guidanceforpassengeramenities,rightsand
responsibilities,emergencyevacuationmap,safetydosanddonts,firstaid
guidelines,suicidehelplinenumberetc)

GSFIswillformapointtopointtactileroute(fromentrance>accessible
ticketingcounter>wheelchairaccessiblegate>bothwheelchair
accessiblecoachboarding/disembarkingpointsandviceversa)insafety
yellowforvisuallyimpairedcustomers.Directionalanddecisionalguiding
blockswillbeusedforthiscorridoraspernorms.Additionally,warningtactile
tileswillrunacrosstheentireplatformlengthasasafetyfeaturetoprevent
accidentalfallingonthetracks.

ItwaspointedoutherebyDRAthattactilecorridorscouldextendtoallfour
coachesinsteadofbeinglimitedtothetwowheelchairaccessiblecoachesas
therearereservedseatsfordisabledpassengersineachcoach.CMRL
contractedstaffwillassistwithboarding/disembarkingandaccessibletoilet
maintenance,DRAofferedtosupplementtrainingforthesame.(DRAwas
enthusedtolearnthatfellowdisabilitysectororganisationVSHESHis
conductingasignlanguageworkshopforCMRLemployeesandcongratulated
CMRLonthisprogressiveinitiative).

Alsoofconcernisthattheaudioinductionloopatthestaffedticketingcounter
forpassengersusinghearingaidsseemstohavebeenoverlooked.DRAis
providinginformationforinstallationofthesame.Aseventuallytheplanisto
beginsellingcardsatlocalstores,andtoeliminatetheneedfortemporary
passtokensandtheneedforpersonnelatcashcountersbyusingATVMs
Thesemachineswillalsobethereatpresentbutaccessibilityhasnotbeen
planned.Aworkaroundfortheselfserviceticketingmachinesaccessibilityis

beingexploredasprocurementhasalreadytakenplacewithstandard
guidelinesfordesignandprocurementofthenextlot

DRApointedouttheneedforplannedsmartcardstohaveatactilemarking,
andsuggestedCMRLsaccessiblesmartphoneapp,WCAG2AAwebsiteand
socialmediapresencecouldlinkwiththeKoyambeducontrolroomlivefeedto
providealertsforpassengersplanning.(Forexample,incasealiftisunder
repair,awheelchairusercouldreceiveasubscribed/ondemandSMSalert
regardingdowntimeandrestorationsotheydonotmakeawastedjourneyand
canmakealternativeplans)

Anondemandbuttonneartheliftwithdemarcatedwaitingspaceclosebyfor
passengersrequiringstaffassistanceissimilarlybeingexplored,especially
withcentralisedcontrolroomlinkingforseamlessstarttoendjourneyservice
coordinationandefficientdeploymentofresources.

3. Travellingbycoach

Fromourunderstanding

Eachrakehas4cars.Whileeachcarhas4seatsreservedforPwDas
priorityseating,thereareprovisionsmadefor2wheelchairsperrakeonthe
firstandlastcarrespectively.Butthereisnobarcurrentlyonthenumberof
passengersonwheelchairswhocanenterthecari.e.noonewillstop5
wheelchairedpersonsfromenteringthevehicle.

Advancedtechnologyandsensorsareinplacetoensurethattheplatformand
theentrancetothetrainarealwaysinline.Justincasethereisanissue
whichleadstothenonalignmentoftheplatformandthetrainDRAhas
recommendedaportableboardingrampateachwheelchairaccesspoint.
Therewillbe2CCTVcamerasmonitoringentryandexittoensurethat
passengersalightandexitthetrainsafelyincasetheyneedtotakealittle
extratime.Emergencyrampsareinbuiltincaseofamajoremergency
evacuationtheseextendtogroundlevel,notmerelytheplatform.

Thereisalsoafoldablejumpseatineachcarwiththewheelchairspacewith
agrabbarontopofitthiswaspresumablymeantasatransferseat.There
isnoharnessfortheseatandthegrabbarbehindisinaccessibleforaseated
passenger.

Safety:Thereisabuttonlocatedwithinthetrainandwithinthereachof
wheelchairuserspersonsinthedesignatedareastoaskforalonghaltin
casethepersonfeelsthattheywilltakelongerthanthestandard30seconds

toexitthetrain.Thereisalsoaonewaycommunicationdevicewherebya
passengercanspeaktothedriver,whocaninformthestationthatassistance
isrequiredforapassengerwhowishestodisembark,forexample.Thereis
alsoahelpline(18004251515)whichwillbecentrallyconnectedtothe
Koyambeducontrolroomofficeandwillrelayinformationtotherequired
stationmaster.TheentirerakeiscoveredbyCCTVcamerasforsafety
surveillance.

Withinthetraintherewillbeadynamicmapshowingjourneyoftrainand
highlightingnextstation,anaudioannouncement,andanLEDscreenateither
endofeachcar.Alightwillflashonthedoorwherethetrainwillopenupfor
exit.

Whilethesigns,alertsandannouncementshavebeenplannedonuniversaldesign
principles,thewheelchairpassengersseatrestrictionisamatterofconcerntoDRA.
Wheelchairspecificamenitiesseemtoberestrictedtothefoldingjumpseatswhich
willrequirethepassengertotransferfromtheirwheelchairtotheseatusingthe
grabrailontopoftheseatback,andstowtheirwheelchairintheslotprovided.The
problemsenvisagedwiththisareasfollows

Notallwheelchairsarefolding
Therearenograbrails/grabstrapsforseatedwheelchairusersecurity
Intheeventofasuddenjerkthewheelchairusermayfallandtheunfastened
wheelchairwillposeasafetyhazard

Theprocessoftransferringfromwheelchairtoseattakestime,agreatdealofeffort
andveryoftenassistant/escortsupport.AsfaraspossibleDRAadvocatesplanning
forindependenttravelbypassengerswithdisabilities.Forshorttransitsbythetimea
personstransferstoaseat,thedestinationwillhavebeenreached!
BRTSandsomecitybusesalreadyplyinIndiawithwheelchairtiedownsand
seatbeltrestraints.DRAwouldrecommendthisstronglyforpassengersafety
incoachesmeantforwheelchairs(evenifretrofittingisrequired)

4. Otherissuesdiscussed:

DRAsrequestforstation/trainviewingforauditandguidancepurposeswas
agreedtoinprinciple.AsitisunsafetodosocurrentlyCMRLsuggestedthis
couldbescheduledforafteracoupleofmonths.

OnDRAsqueryregardinganysubsidiesontravelforPwD/careattendants,
CMRLrespondedthatasanSPVsuchdecisionswerebeyonditspurview.It
wouldneedtobeexploredwithappropriateGovernmentauthorities.Similarly
regardingseamlesssyncingwithfeederbusesfromanaccessibility
perspective,CMRLinformedDRAthattransportintegrationwouldcomeunder

thepurviewofCUMTA.

DRAqueryonhowthefigureof2wheelchairsspaceprovisionperrakewas
arrivedatasastandardneedstobeexploredbybothparties!

DRAguidanceonthefollowingwasrequestedbyCMRL

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.

VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.

Wheelchairspecs(nonfolding,adultsize,institutionalmodelperstation)
Assistancebell
AudioInductionHearingLoop
Vendingmachineuserinterfaceaccessibility
Smartcarddesign
Portablerampperwheelchairaccessibleboarding/disembarkingpointforstaff
todeployincaseofpossiblegaprelatedhazard
Alertingsystem
Smartphoneappinputs&Websiteaccessibility
EmergencyevacuationprocessforPwD
Stafftrainingmanual&awarenessposters

Visualsreferenceforthesamefollowsbelowthiscanbestbepresentedinperson

I.

Wheelchair (non-folding, adult size, institutional) - BIS 6571 / 1991

II.

Assistance bell

III.

Audio Induction Hearing Loop

IV.

Vending machine user interface accessibility

V.

Smart card design

VI.

Portable ramp per wheelchair boarding point in case of gap

VII.

Alerting system

VIII.

Smartphone app inputs & Website accessibility

IX.

Emergency evacuation process for PwD

X.

Staff training manual & awareness posters

DISABLED PASSENGER METRO ORIENTATION HOW-TO GUIDE

[Representativepurposeonly.AwaitingCMRLpresentation]

TERMS & ACRONYMS

AFCAutomaticFareCollection
ATVMAutomatedticketvendingmachines
BRTSBusRapidTransitSystems
CMRLChennaiMetroRailLimited
CPWDCentralPublicWorksDepartment(GovernmentofIndia)
CUMTAChennaiUnifiedMetropolitanTransportAuthority
DRADisabilityRightsAlliance,India
GSFIGroundSurfaceFlooringIndicator
PwD/Personwithdisability/Peoplewithdisabilities
Rake:Anumberofrailwaycarriagesorwagonscoupledtogether(train)
SPVSpecialPurposeVehicleanentitywhichisformedforasingle,welldefinedandnarrow
purpose.
TransitWheelchair:Atransitwheelchairhas:

Fourpermanentlyattachedandlabeledsecurementpointsthatcanwithstandthe
forcesofa30mph,20gimpact.
Specificsecurementpointgeometrythatwillacceptasecurementstrapendfitting
hook.
Aclearpathoftravelthatallowsproperplacementofvehiclemountedoccupant
safetybeltsnexttotheskeletalpartsofthebody,
Anchorpointsforanoptionalwheelchairanchoredpelvicsafetybelt,thatisdesigned
towithstanda30mph,20gimpact,thathasastandardinterfaceonitthatallowsitto
connecttoavehicleanchoredshoulderbelt.

WCAGWebsiteContentAccessibilityGuidelines
Subway=Underground=Metro
Wagon=Carriage=Cars

VISUAL GUIDE

ISA:InternationalSymbolOfAccessibility
Title:Provisionforthedisabledorpersonswithimpairments

Function/description:Toindicatethewayintoabuildingand
facilitiesthatareaccessibletoanduseablebyallpersonswhose
mobilityisrestricted,includingwheelchairusers.

(ISO7001:2007)0100
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7000:4:0100

Title:Accessibility,routesandfacilitiesincludingtoiletswithfull
accessibility
Imagecontent:Sideviewofhumanfigureinwheelchair
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF006

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_006

Title:Accessibilityforpeoplewithlimitedwalkingcapability
Imagecontent:Leaninghumanfigureviewedfromtheside,walking
frame.
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF006

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_045

Title:Accessibility,personalassistantavailableforpeoplewith
functionalimpairments
Imagecontent:Twohumanfiguresviewedfromtheside,holding
hands.
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF047

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_047

Title:Accessibility,visionimpaired.Specialprovisionsavailable

Imagecontent:Eyewithonediagonallinepassingthroughfrom
toprighttobottomleftandsixdiagonallines(alternatingblackand
white)coveringrightside.
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF049
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_049


Title:Accessibility,blindorlowvision
Imagecontent:Humanfigureviewedfromtheside,walkingwithacane.
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF051
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_051

Title:Accessibility,assistancedogpermitted
Imagecontent:Sideviewofwalkinghumanfigureholdinglead,sideviewof
dogwithharness
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF046
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_046

Title:Accessibility,hardofhearing.Specialprovisionsavailable.
Imagecontent:Ear,brokenlinewithpointsateachend.

IISO7001:2007)PIPF046
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_048

Title:Slopeorrampedaccess
Imagecontent:Sideviewofwalkinghumanfigureandhumanfigurein
wheelchairgoingupslope
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF022
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_022

Title:Accessibleelevatororliftlocation

Imagecontent:Elevator/liftcageinshaftshowingpushbuttonswithhuman
figureinwheelchairandstandinghumanfigureincage."Up"arrowabove
cageand"down"arrowbelowcage
(ISO7001:2007)PIPF031
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7001:3:PI_PF_031

Title:Emergencyevacuationsafeassemblingareaforforpeoplewith
disabilitiestoawaitrescueassistance
Imagecontent:Humanfigureinwheelchair(profile),fourwhitearrows
comingfromthecornerspointingtoit
(ISO7010:2011)E204
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7010:2:E024

Information

Teletypewriter

Telephone with
volume control

Video, film, etc. is

closed captioned

Audio
description
available

Assistive
Listening system
available

Sign language
interpreted

Braille

Video, film, etc. is

open captioned

Large Print

WCAG compliance (Source http://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG2-Conformance)

A

AA

AAA

(png, gif, svg, eps)

(png, gif, svg, eps)

(png, gif, svg, eps)

(png, gif, svg, eps)

(png, gif, svg, eps)

(png, gif, svg, eps)

CMRL COMMITMENT 2012 - Facilities Planned for Physically Challenged Persons in Chennai Metro Stations and Coaches
The facilities for Physically Challenged persons within the station will generally be provided based on Guidelines and space standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for
Disabled and Elderly Persons". Also, the design in general will be in accordance with "Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and
Elderly Persons", Central Public Works Department, Ministry of Urban Affairs & Employment, 1998.
The following facilities are planned to be provided within the station for Physically Challenged Persons:

STATION

FEATURE

CPWD /
Other
Indian
Standards

In Metro Stations:

Pg 70-77

Signages within and outside the station to guide the persons.

1

Pg 43-45

Dedicated parking space subject to space availability.

Non slippery floors and well lit passages.

Convenient design of station structure for free movement.

BIS

ISO / IEC

VENDORS

ISO 23601:2009
(emergency)

Pg 25

Dedicated tactile tiles to access for the functional areas and platforms.
5

Pg 46-48

Bumpy tiles to alert customers who are blind or have low vision that they are nearing the
edge of the platform.

Accessible toilets.

pg 40-43

Ticket issuing window and Ticket Vending Machine counters with accessible heights.

Pg 49 , Pg
12. pg 74

8
9

ISO 23599:2012
ISO 23599:2012

Dedicated Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates.

Induction loops at ticket counters for hearing impaired passengers.

10

IEC 60118-4:2006

11

Simple and Uniform Terminal Design avoiding glossy surfaces/glasses.

12

Ramp as per standards and with handrail.

13

Adequate landing space at the start and end of every ramp.

14

Stair cases as per standards with handrails.

15

Steps with contrasting coloured nosing or anti skidding tiles at the edge of the steps will be
provided for easy access.

16

Adequate seating arrangement in platform

Pg 25-29

Pg 37-38

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DETAILS

FEATURE
COACHES

Coaches:
General

Dedicated Seating facilities in the train.

Easy access to the cars for persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users, shall be
provided through the side doors.

The rake shall be a high-floor design, with level boarding from platforms. Wheelchair and
mobility-impaired boarding shall not require the use of bridging or lifting devices. The
horizontal gap between the passenger door thresholds and platform edge at rest shall not
exceed 50 mm in nominal operating conditions, and 75 mm maximum. The maximum vertical
gap between the passenger door thresholds and platform edge shall not exceed 31 mm in
nominal operating conditions.
In no cases (including the worst operating conditions) shall the top surface of the
horizontal threshold of the car be lower than the top edge of the platform. The gap between
platform and the rail car enables wheelchair users to enter and exit the train safely.

4
At least two wheelchair parking areas shall be available in each driver car of the 4-car rakes.
5
Four seats shall be available for the elderly and handicapped passengers in all driver car ends.
6
7

Seats shall be provided for handicapped persons.

The designated areas for wheelchair parking shall be located adjacent to an accessible
entrance and shall be compliant with all ADA requirements.

Wheelchair users must be able to exit the car from any wheelchair parking position through
either of at least two accessible doors (on the same side of the train).
Wheelchair Egress Request
A wheelchair egress request signal shall be provided which shall permit a passenger in any car
of a train to alert the operator to stop the car for a prolonged time to enable wheelchair
passengers to exit the train. This system shall be ADA compliant and accessible to wheelchairseated passengers.
The stop request shall consist of the following and shall be inhibited when doors are open.
Stop-request strips shall be located at wheelchair accommodations.
An audible-non-repeating chime and alarm light shall be installed in each operators cab area.

CPWD /
Other
Indian
Standards

BIS

ISO / IEC

VENDORS

DETAILS

LIFTS

FEATURE

CPWD /
Other
Indian
Standards

In Lifts :

Pg 39

BIS

ISO / IEC

VENDORS

Lift in street level at convenient location and lift facility within the station.
Lift cars with required space and wide doors.
Audio announcement and Braille facilities within lift. Signs printed in Braille in the lifts to
indicate floors as well as visual/ audible announcements.
Grip rails on 3 walls inside the elevator car.
Elevator control buttons positioned at convenient heights.
OTHERS

OTHERS
Wheelchairs, folding, adult size

7454/1991

Wheelchairs, folding, junior size

8086/1991

Wheelchairs, non-folding, adult size, institutional model

6571/1991

Wheelchairs for use in vehicles as seats

Wheelchair tie-downs WTORS
Hearing loop system / performance of induction loop systems in any assistive listening
application
Alert
COMMON

AIS-017

########## ###### ####### ####### ###### ####### ####### ###### ####### ####### ###### ####### ####### ###### ####### #

ISO 717619:2008
ISO 105421:2012
IEC 60118-4:2006

Information technology -- W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

ISO 8201:1987
ISO/IEC
40500:2012

Building construction -- Accessibility and usability of the built environment

ISO 21542:2011

Assistive products for blind and vision-impaired persons -- Tactile walking surface indicators

ISO 23599:2012

Assistive products for persons with vision impairments and persons with vision and hearing
impairments -- Acoustic and tactile signals for pedestrian traffic lights

ISO 23600:2007

Ergonomics -- Accessible design --Tactile dots and bars on consumer products

ISO 24503:2011

Ergonomics of Human System Interaction

ISO 9241:2006

Ergonomics of the physical environment -- Application of International Standards to people

with special requirements

ISO 28803:2012

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DETAILS