Access to Subway: Design Solutions for Equitable and Intuitive Use

Abstract

The objective of this study was to acquire knowledge on subway station retrofits, that support the free movement of passengers with disabilities, and to examine, whether those repairs can improve the user experience of all passengers. The subject was examined in the real-life context of the New York City Subway network. The research questions were (1) Which station typologies exist in the New York City Subway system? (2) Which retrofitting strategies can be applied to integrate a universal, intuitive wayfinding system into already existing station architecture? and (3) How can the identified retrofitting strategies be integrated into existing station architecture, so that they create variation and interesting environments on the terms of the location? The outcome of this thesis was a compilation of issue identification measures and retrofitting solutions applicable to the stations within the New York City Subway network. The theoretical background of this study was Universal Design and wayfinding.

Three case studies were carried out to answer the research questions. In Study I, station typologies were identified through descriptive statistical analysis of the station network’s architectural attributes, and representative samples of each typology were chosen by purposeful sampling. In Study II, the case stations’ accessibility and wayfinding deficits were identified through archival interpretations, ethnographic observations, pathway coding, and on-site annotations. A corresponding retrofitting solution for each deficit was presented through research by design. In Study III, the retrofitting solutions were demonstrated through composing a design proposal on a case station.

In Study I, four station typologies were identified based on the stations’ circulation complexity, and four case stations were chosen to represent each typology. Study II indicated the lack of step-free access to be the most evident accessibility deficit. However, the full spatio-functional performance of the station was found to be defected also by floorplan complexity, clutter, and unstandardized configurations. The retrofitting strategies suggested for the alleviation of these problems included the integration of a step-free route into primary circulation to ensure intuitive access for passengers with disabilities, enforcing one main route instead of offering multiple route options to ensure the integration of the step-free access, circulation simplification and compaction to diminish confusion and physical burden, centralization of choice point locations to enable intuitive access to all destinations, and comprehensive design to eliminate visual clutter. In Study III, the retrofitting strategies were applied to a case station. Detailed solutions of retrofitted spatial arrangements, station finish and lighting design, signage and guidance placement, and enabling grass-root activities were presented.

This study introduced some ways of employing the Universal Design approach to optimize station environments and enable equitable use. High-performing and high-quality public transportation environments are needed to accommodate the aging populations of growing cities. The transportation arrangements of the growing metropolises can have significant impacts on encouraging a healthier ecosystem as well as in promoting socially sustainable communities.