The Integration of Accessible Environment and Personal Equipment for Train Ride

This paper describes how urban and suburban areas are spread out in Japan and are mainly developed around railroad stations so many residents are strongly dependent on railroads. Therefore, the intercity railroad is always congested with commuters. In recent years, developers have tried to make stations accessible to these surrounding areas in Japan. Development is spreading all over around the country and especially with advanced features such as elevator installation in railroad stations. However, there is still a problem when wheelchair users are getting on/off trains. In Japan, there is a large gap and step between trains and a platform because of these reasons. In this study, accessibility is measured with the capability of overcoming a gap and step in wheelchair users, and it is developed personally equipments as universal solution. Finally, the study considered the capabilities and the integration between the accessible technique and personal equipments. Many Japanese trains have a high adjusting suspension and the amplitude is very large in order to get on/off many passengers in time of stopping stations.