Improving the Airport Experience of Travelers Using Wheelchairs

For users of personal mobility assistive devices, including wheelchairs and scooters, the airport experience can often be challenging and frustrating. A survey conducted by Paralyzed Veterans of America in 2022 found common issues include negotiating check-in, locating an agent for assistance if needed, clearing security, navigating to the gate, and boarding the aircraft. ACRP Research Report 210: Innovative Solutions to Facilitate Accessibility for Airport Travelers with Disabilities (2020) and other research have also identified many of these barriers, but it is unclear if current strategies to address these challenges are successful and if additional ones may be needed. The objectives of this research are to assess current practices for improving the wheelchair user experience at airports and recommend additional evidence-based approaches.  

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5585

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $425000
• Contract Numbers:

  07-23

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Airport Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Navarrete, Joseph

• Start Date: 20230807
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Airports; Persons with disabilities; State of the practice; Wheelchairs
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Society; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01889821
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: 07-23
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 10 2023 10:01AM