www.rollingrains.com/2009/02/universal-design-and-publi -
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Published on: 1/1/2009
Last Visited: 6/10/2009
Edward Steinfeld, professor and director of the School of Architecture and Planning's Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA), and his son, Aaron Steinfeld, a systems scientist at the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Robotics Institute, will work together to form the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Accessible Public Transportation.
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According to Aaron, UB and CMU will take on different roles in the project.
Researchers from UB will try to obtain a better understanding of the requirements for effectively boarding and moving within transit vehicles.
"[This information] will be used to develop design tools and demonstrated on a concept transit bus," Aaron said.
CMU is looking at ways to involve riders with disabilities in the process to get firsthand information about the problems they face when using public transportation.
"This will empower riders, result in a greater understanding of the transportation system, and improve the feedback loop between rider and provider," Aaron said.
Disabled individuals face numerous problems when using public transportation, according to Aaron.