Shared surfaces campaign report
Shared surfaces - part of the new design concept in town centre developments where the kerb between the footway and carriageway is removed - are not only an issue for blind and partially-sighted people. Our research has been well-supported by other disability organisations who have concerns about the dangers of these street designs for vulnerable road users.
We have produced a campaign report setting out our position, and continue to campaign on this issue with the support of over 20 other disability organisations representing people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities that share our concerns.
Accompanying documents to download
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Shared Surfaces Campaign Report - word document (pdf format) |
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Shared Surfaces Campaign Report - PDF document (pdf format) |
Improving Road Safety Conference
Improving Pedestrian Road Safety: Education and Street Design
Guide Dogs is presenting at the Improving Pedestrian Road Safety: Education and Street Design conference taking place on 26 June 2008, Sadler’s Well, London. Guide Dogs will present on the concerns of blind and partially sighted people and other disabled people in relation to shared surfaces.
This conference is aimed at road safety officers and highways engineers, and will look at the role of education and street design, considering whether the removal of street furniture can make streets safer and the impact of other traffic calming measures such as 20mph limits and Home Zones.
A conference flyer, including further details and speakers is available on Waterfront’s website:
Programme:
http://www.thewaterfront.co.uk/conferences/conf_calendar%20Pedestrian_Road_Safety.php
Book Now:
http://www.thewaterfront.co.uk/conferences/online_booking.php
Prices can be found at:
http://www.thewaterfront.co.uk/conferences/online_booking.php
Design Trials Research
Guide Dogs has published its Design Trials research report ’Testing proposed delineators to demarcate pedestrian paths in a shared space environment’.
Guide Dogs’ research, published in early 2007, identified a number of potential delineators which might be appropriate for use in shared space street schemes and all of which had been, in some form, used or were proposed for us in UK schemes. These included tactile guidance paving, different kerb profiles and two different kerb slopes.
In this phase of the research we tested the effectiveness of these delineators working in conjunction with University College London at its Pedestrian Accessibility Movement and Environment Laboratory (PAMELA).
Each of the proposed delineators was tested for ease of detection and use by blind and partially sighted people, and also for ease of crossing by wheelchair users and people with walking difficulties.
None of the delineators (in the forms tested) were found to meet the needs of both groups of users. Consequently Guide Dogs would not consider them to be suitable for use to delineate a ‘safe space’ in shared space schemes where vulnerable pedestrians would be able to move around with confidence. Two designs were identified, however, as warranting further research.
A full copy of the report and the executive summary are available for download below. If you require the document in an alternative format please contact Gill Kenyon at Guide Dogs on 08452 412 178 or sharedsurfaces@guidedogs.org.uk
Documents for download
Shared surfaces
Shared Surface Street Design: Guide Dogs Research Project
Some local authorities are implementing shared surface schemes in High Streets, removing the traditional pavement and kerb separating pedestrians and vehicles, and street crossings. These schemes are putting the safety of blind and partially sighted people, and other vulnerable groups, at serious risk.
Guide Dogs report of focus groups shows that the safety, confidence and independence of blind and partially sighted people are undermined by shared surfaces, with parts of some towns having become 'no go' areas. Other disability groups share our concerns and a Joint Statement has been endorsed by a wide range of organisations representing people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities.
Shared surface advocates say that shared surfaces work well in Holland but Guide Dogs carried out focus groups there with blind and partially-sighted people and found they shared our concerns.
We carried out before and after surveys of a new shared surface scheme in Brighton which showed that the safety and independence of blind and partially sighted people were significantly reduced following the shared surface development.
Having established the concerns Guide Dogs commissioned international designers to consider how the requirements of blind and partially sighted people could be met in a shared space street. Their report ‘Shared Space – Safe Space’ advocates the creation of clearly demarcated ’safe space’ within shared space schemes, where vulnerable pedestrians would be away from vehicles, giving them confidence to use the street independently.
Guide Dogs has worked with University College London to test proposed designs to demarcate safe space footways with blind and partially sighted and mobility impaired people, and will use the research to produce guidance.
In the meantime Local Authorities should test proposed new designs before implementation, and consult local groups. A briefing booklet is available for local groups to help them be effectively involved.
Documents for download
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Report of UK Focus Groups (pdf format) |
1.1 M |
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Report of UK Focus Groups (pdf format) |
165 K |
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Report of Holland Focus Groups (pdf format) |
76 K |
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Report of Holland Focus Groups (pdf format) |
0.9 M |
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Briefing for Local Groups (pdf format) |
327 K |
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Briefing for Local Groups (pdf format) |
41 K |
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Joint statement - The Implications for disabled people (pdf format) |
2.0 M |
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Joint statement - The Implications for disabled people (pdf format) |
22 K |
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Brighton - Before and After Survey (pdf format) |
132 K |
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Brighton - Before and After Survey (pdf format) |
3.6 M |
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Shared Space - Ramboll Nyvig report (pdf format) |
1.2 M |
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Shared Space - Ramboll Nyvig report (pdf format) |
94 K |
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Shared Surface Street Design - Project Brief (pdf format) |
0.9 M |
Now also available is the recently completed 2007 project update, downloadable in Word format:
Shared Surface Project Update - MS Word Format
Further information
If you would like more information on the shared surfaces report, or you would like to receive this report in an alternative format, please contact Gill Kenyon by calling 01189 838 359 or email sharedsurfaces@guidedogs.org.uk
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