This project sought to map and understand what current resources, or knowledge, exists around accessible transport. The result is a searchable database which includes existing research, papers and reports from organisations and academics working in the transport accessibility field.
To read the report of what the project did and how, see below.
Short form Word format
Large print Word format
This project undertook a baseline study to collect and then collate existing research, papers and reports from organisations and academics engaged in working in the transport accessibility field. It then looked to identify resource or knowledge gaps. These resources were then analysed and labelled to create a searchable database of existing knowledge, with the ability for further and future reports to be included, creating an overview of the UK disability ecosystem.
It will help measure the problem, and provide evidence to guide ncat’s activities, and improve efforts by coordinating national work in this field.
To build this resource collection we first set out the methodology for how we would search for resources, and what we would and wouldn’t include. When we talk about ‘resourcs’ we mean explicit ‘knowledge’ that is captured and shared using more formal formats, such as reports, Government policy documents, White papers, journal papers, books or data spreadsheets.
We then undertook a large desk based study to collect and collating existing resources. We tagged all the information by a range of elements (author, type, year of release, region, mode of transport etc) so we could then get a better overview of what capabilities exist in this area.
In developing the searchable database we worked with members of our Community of Accessible Transport (CAT) panel who helped us design and understand how and by whom the database would be used, and the final database was tested for accessibility.
Using our research we designed and produced the Resource Collection.
At the point of launching (Dec 24), this is an open-source database contained over 620 links to resources, all collected and identified to bring this data together and inform industry professionals and policymakers. This searchable tool provides a wide but not exhaustive overview of the resources or knowledge that make up the current scope of the UK ecosystem of capabilities
Users can search by categories such as document type, year of publication, impairment type, Transport modes, region, authoring organisation, and journey stage.
We also produced a highlights report which details the project and what we found, which has been translated into BSL and Easy Read versions.
An accessible pdf version, along with a short form word document and a large print word document are also available below.
Key Findings From The Report Includes:
- that in mapping resources we identified 626 resource documents and projects, including research, strategies or policy-related documents and projects
- 366 organisations that make, fund, or commission knowledge on Transport accessibility (and we’ve collectively called them stakeholders)
- 54 hubs, such as research groups, living labs, funding schemes, and others (and we’ve collectively called these ‘resource capabilities’, where a capability describes the ability by one body or hub to gather information, generate new knowledge, disseminate, and then apply and share these resources).
Transport industry professionals and policy makers should use the resources contained with the Resource Collection, along with the data in the Transport Barriers Database to inform their future projects.
Our recommendations are that they should:
Prioritise improving transport services and regulations.
Ensure disabled people are decision-makers.
To continue to build and expand the collection we invite you to suggest resources, that you have either produced yourself or consider a key resource. To submit a resource, (which must be in the form of a live hyperlink to a public page) please click to launch an email to resourcecollection@ncat.uk