| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK_PD.2019.35.3.59 |
| Keywords |
Slope ; Vertical Circulation ; Stairs ; Ramp ; Pedestrian ; Personal Mobility ; Preference |
| Abstract |
In recent years, urban regeneration is focused on smart and pedestrian oriented development utilizing various mobility technology. The characteristics of walkways needs to reflect such development orientations. This research is the first step to find an adequate slope for ramp replacing stairs and shared by pedestrians, personal mobilities and powered wheelchairs. It aims to check if ramps on a recommended degree of angle by general guidelines are more preferred than stairs and find out what make difference of such preferences. Two surveys were conducted at 9° and 9.6° ramps coexisted with stairs at sequential and parallel location. The study on the survey result found that the general evaluation of 9° ramp was better than 9.6° ramp but 9° ramp was not preferred than stairs while 9.6° ramps was preferred. The difference of preferences was related to characteristics of stairs. The stair with shorter tread and riser next to 9° ramp was evaluated much better than stairs next to 9.6° ramp. Therefore the research concludes that 10.0° which many guidelines recommend for the maximum slop of a ramp was not adequate for a ramp to replace stairs as a preferred means of vertical circulation. In addition the research found that the preference was sensitive to moving direction and gender especially in regards to comfort of stairs and safety of ramp. Most pedestrians chose a means of vertical circulation based on its comfort but pedestrian’s evaluation of safety was most different based on moving direction. |