The March 2021 issue of Mass Transit magazine has an article about the renovation of a transit center in Houston, Texas into a model of accessible design. Here’s an excerpt from the complete article that you can find at https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/facilities/article/21213268/houston-metro-transforms-aging-transit-hub-into-flagship-facility. Note that Houston METRO’s principles of Universal Accessibility exceed ADA requirements - exactly the direction we need to take.
Houston METRO Evaluates 10 Concepts
In 2016, Houston METRO partnered with HNTB Corp. to provide planning, final design services and construction phase support for the $35-million expansion and improvement of the Northwest Transit Center. The federally-funded design-bid-build project included a National Environmental Policy Act phase, after which HNTB began design in spring 2017 and completed it in summer 2018.
“METRO required three design concepts,” said Vince Obregon, HNTB project manager, “but we had so many ideas and variations that we actually presented 10 concepts. The client selected three to develop further. From there, we arrived at the recommended alternative.”
“The recommended alternative included everything we wanted,” said Bridgette Towns, Houston METRO vice president of project management and engineering. “We liked its versatility, its welcoming atmosphere, the user-friendliness and it incorporated all eight of our Universal Accessibility principles.”
Design Incorporates Accessibility Goals
Improving patron access to all services had been a METRO priority for years. To advance that goal, Houston METRO developed and adopted eight principles of Universal Accessibility that exceed the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Equitability: Everyone, regardless of ability, should be able to use the same environment.
Flexibility: Services or facilities should accommodate a wide range of uses.
Simplicity: Unnecessary complexity should be eliminated; the facility should be easy to use and understand.
Perceptibility: The design should effectively communicate information regardless of the user’s sensory abilities.
Mobility: Appropriate sizing and spacing should maximize mobility.
Safety: Elements should be arranged to minimize hazards and provide warnings.
Suitability: Everyone should be able to use the facility efficiently and comfortably.
Usability: The environment, accessed by disabled or non-disabled patrons, should offer the same experience in effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction.
“Universal Accessibility not only includes those who are disabled but those patrons who ride their bicycles or walk to the transit center,” Towns said.
The new Northwest Transit Center would be the first of the agency’s facilities to incorporate all eight principles. A virtual reality model of the facility’s design helped Houston METRO visualize how patrons would interact with the new transit center.
"The virtual tour simulated the transit center access from a walking perspective and from a wheelchair, giving all patrons the experience regardless of their abilities” Obregon said.
“We were very pleased with the final design,” Towns said. “It is well-thought-out and addressed all our needs.”