Luas & disability

Victor

I wrote this e-mail to Dublin Cycling Campaign (I'm a member) after a number of cyclists have had problems with Luas tracks, any comments?

Hi guys,

Following a call to the Luas Helpline (1800 67 64 64), I spoke to Fred English of the PR department of the RPA this morning (at 8:54am!! - is this a record?).

The specific hazard to cyclists is that the track, being recessed into the road, can easily catch a bicycle wheel, either stopping or throwing the cyclist, depending on their speed. People just don’t expect this to happen as 60% of the population was born after the last trams were removed.

It’s a bit like a piece I saw recently. The piece was about a family
driving up from Wexford and the mother giving out to the father that he was driving on the right hand side of the road and they would all be killed. The father explained it was a dual carriageway - something the mother had never experienced before. Many people will be like this as they have never seen a tram or tramway before.

It would be a particular problem where a cyclist has to cycle parallel to, as opposed to perpendicular to, the track. A similar problem exists at a few Irish Rail level crossings (e.g. Sutton DART station where the angle is perhaps 35 degrees, never mind parallel). When questioned at the city council traffic committee a few months ago, the RPA said it shouldn't be a problem for an "experienced" cyclist (what for the inexperienced cyclist?).

Fred has said that the "Beware of track" warning signs will be going up in the next month or so, but that they will only be staying up for about six months (will Luas be running by then?). There will be a corresponding press release and advertising.

He thinks the various councils will restrict their use of the signs, as strictly speaking they won't be on the Luas "site" (legally Luas can only do work for a certain distance from what is indicated on the original layout drawings), but on the public road, just before a crossing point.

The relevant councils are Dublin City (most on-street), Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown (most off-street, on the old Harcourt street line, with some level crossings) and South Dublin (mixed - mostly adjacent to, as opposed to on, roads).

I think we should campaign to not only ensure signs are put up, but that they are kept up and maintained over the years (presumably by Luas or the relevant council). This campaign would be for more than just us, but also people with wheelchairs, prams, shopping trolleys and the like.

Separately, trams are very quiet and were it not for their distinctive bell, could easily "sneak up" on someone. I will raise this with the National Association of Deaf People and the track issue with the Irish Wheelchair Association.

The Luas routes are available at http://www.luas.ie/plan/line_maps.asp with crossing points indicated in blue.

Additional information
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=1013764

Victor

People should be aware of a few things:

Tactile platform edges: These will be considerably different to the ones at pedestrian crossings to avoid confusion. The tactile area is also set back from the edge of the platform, which is more than two to three times the height of a footpath kerb. The raised areas are approximately 50 by 100 mm as opposed to 20mm diameter on pedestrian crossings.

Wheelchair ramps and dished footpaths: Temporary ramps are in place in some areas, but many are very rough. Many footpaths and roads along the construction sites are unsuitable for wheelchairs. Some permanent dished footpaths have been badly built and tend to collect water. Platforms should be uniformly level with tram floors.

General: rails are a slip hazard in wet or icy weather.