Transit Stations and Platforms
Transit station design incorporates many of the same concepts as for transit stops. Visual information should always be presented in other accessible formats such as audio, braille and tactile characters, where appropriate. For example, audible signs would not be helpful when several buses pull up to a stop at the same time. This would make it difficult for anyone to hear the audible announcements, given the collective noise of the buses. It would also be difficult to identify where the bus being announced has parked. Audible signs can only be helpful in settings where there is no excessive ambient noise and they can clearly be heard.
Due to the complexities of navigating many stations, the use of tactile paths with guidance TWSIs, audible information systems, tactile signs, tactile maps and other wayfinding support systems is recommended. Elements incorporated into transit stations (e.g., pedestrian routes, stairs, ramps, washrooms, emergency systems, furniture and lighting) should comply with good accessibility practices as specified throughout this resource.
If a station is unstaffed and primarily relies upon ticketing machines, the machines should incorporate clear signage, tactile elements and be in an accessible location. Ticket and coin slots should be designed to be clearly visible and in conformance with the Canadian Standards Association’s “Accessible Design for Self-Service Interactive Devices” document, CAN/CSA-B651.2-07. It’s available through the ShopCSA website. Further details are provided in the section Information and Communication Systems.
Platforms in train stations should always be clearly defined with both visual and tactile indicators. Attention TWSIs must be installed in a continuous line along the platform edge, extending the entire length of the platform.
Where entrances to a train or LRT vehicle are known with a high degree of certainty, provide additional visual and tactile indications of where best to wait. This will avoid pedestrians impacted by blindness having to navigate quickly should they find themselves between doors or, worse yet, between cars.
Further information is provided in the section Platform Edges.
Obstacles such as furniture, guards and waste receptacles should be cane detectable and colour contrasted to their surroundings. Any columns or posts should also be colour contrasted to their surroundings. If this isn’t possible, use a colour-contrasting band at eye level to mark them as a hazard. Additional lower bands are also recommended.