The impact of changes in active travel infrastructure on disabled people: A rapid review

Edwards, Deborah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1885-9297, Csontos, Judit ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4597-3052, Gillen, Elizabeth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3700-3913, Wharf, Tom, Purcell, Catherine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0301-2555, Ingram, Beti-Jane, Davies, Jacob, Tudor Edwards, Rhiannon, Edwards, Adrian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-4446 and Lewis, Ruth 2026. The impact of changes in active travel infrastructure on disabled people: A rapid review. [Project Report]. Research Square: Health and Care Research Wales. Available at: https://researchwalesevidencecentre.co.uk/active-t...

Preview

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

This review examines international evidence on how changes to active travel infrastructure affect disabled people. It explores the impact of infrastructure changes on accessibility and identifies the barriers and facilitators experienced by disabled people. The review included 11 primary research studies and 8 reviews published between 2015 and July 2025. Populations represented across the studies included: People with visual impairments; People with mobility impairments; Neurodivergent people; People with mobility, hearing, or vision impairments; People with mobility, hearing, vision impairments and neurodivergence; People using mobility assistive devices; and older adults with motor, visual, hearing impairments, or orientation difficulties. Design changes to bus stop infrastructure, were consistently associated with reduced accessibility, subjective feelings of safety, and confidence among disabled people getting on and off buses. Uneven pavements and surface defects reduced perceived safety and confidence for people with visual and mobility impairments, with tactile paving aiding navigation for blind users but creating instability for mobility aid users. The review also describes the impact of kerb level changes, continuous footways, low traffic neighbourhoods, barrier removal, and the development of shared spaces. Raised trapezoidal designs were most effective in providing clear, detectable boundaries and supporting confidence among visually impaired users. Some design features, such as kerb-free layouts, clear tactile paving, and well-marked crossings, acted as facilitators that improved accessibility, perceived safety, and confidence, while other features introduced barriers. Some barriers were consistent across all disability groups, whereas others were impairment-specific. Vehicles parked on pavements created barriers to navigation for neurodivergent people and blocked movement for guide dog users. Tactile paving aided navigation for people with visual impairments but was perceived to create a barrier to wheelchair stability, whereas kerb removal reduced barriers for wheelchair users but created orientation barriers for people with visual impairments. Meeting conflicting accessibility needs of different groups of disabled people can be challenging when planning and implementing change in active travel infrastructure. Inconsistent infrastructure designs across different spaces and regions can create confusion among disabled people and lead to them feeling unsafe or potentially being directed to harm’s way.

Item Type:	Report (Project Report)
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Healthcare Sciences Schools > Medicine
Publisher:	Health and Care Research Wales
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	21 January 2026
Last Modified:	21 Jan 2026 15:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184086

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item