TRansit ACessibility Tool (TRACT): Developing a novel scoring system for public transportation system accessibility

Erica Twardzik; Jennifer A Schrack; Keshia M Pollack Porter; Taylor Coleman; Kathryn Washington; Bonnielin K Swenor

doi:10.1016/j.jth.2023.101742

TRansit ACessibility Tool (TRACT): Developing a novel scoring system for public transportation system accessibility

J Transp Health. 2024 Jan:34:101742. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2023.101742. Epub 2023 Dec 12.

Authors

Erica Twardzik^{1

2}, Jennifer A Schrack^{1

2}, Keshia M Pollack Porter³, Taylor Coleman⁴, Kathryn Washington⁴, Bonnielin K Swenor^{1

4

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
² Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
³ Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
⁴ The Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
⁵ School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
⁶ Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.

PMID: 38405233
PMCID: PMC10883474 (available on 2025-01-01)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2023.101742

Abstract

Introduction: Although federal laws require equal access to public transportation for people with disabilities, access barriers persist. Lack of sharing accessibility information on public transportation websites restricts people with disabilities from making transportation plans and effectively using public transportation systems. This project aims to document information provided about public transportation systems accessibility and share this information using an open data platform.

Methods: We reviewed the top twenty-six public transportation systems in the United States based on federal funding in fiscal year 2020. Information about accessibility was abstracted from each public transportation system website by two independent reviewers from February-March 2022. Informed by universal design principles, public transportation systems were scored across six dimensions: facility accessibility (0-22 points), vehicle accessibility (0-11 points), inclusive policies (0-12 points), rider accommodations (0-9 points), paratransit services (0-6 points), and website accessibility (0-2 points). Total scores were calculated as the sum of each dimension (0-62 points). Data and findings were publicly disseminated (https://disabilityhealth.jhu.edu/transitdashboard/).

Results: The average overall accessibility information score was 31.9 (SD=6.2) out of 62 possible points. Mean scores were 8.4 (SD=2.9) for facility accessibility, 4.5 (SD=2.1) for vehicle accessibility, 7.8 (SD=1.6) for inclusive policies, 4.9 (SD=1.6) for rider accommodations, 4.5 (SD=2.0) for paratransit services, and 1.8 (SD=0.4) for website accessibility. Eleven public transportation systems (42%) received the maximum score for paratransit services and 20 (77%) received the maximum score for website accessibility. No public transportation system received the maximum score for any of the other dimensions.

Conclusions: Using a novel scoring system, we found significant variation in the accessibility information presented on public transportation system websites. Websites are a primary mode where users obtain objective information about public transportation systems and are therefore important platforms for communication. Absence of accessibility information creates barriers for the disability community and restricts equal access to public transportation.

Keywords: accessibility; disability; social determinants of health; transportation; transportation facilities.

Abstract

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