News Archive

EQUAL-ising the transport system – University of Reading

Recent developments in the drive to improve the country's transport system for older and disabled people will be examined at an upcoming conference attended by key researchers and stakeholder organisations. 'Inclusive Transport: today, tomorrow and the future: research challenges' will illustrate the significant research taking place within Government and academia, to develop a more inclusive transport system. Organised by the EQUAL Research Network, based at the University of Reading, in partnership with the influential Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) and the Department for Transport (DfT), the event will showcase the latest thinking about the needs of older and disabled people. The workshop will hear results of some major research programmes of DfT and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPRC). These projects tackle issues like the impact of an over-dependence on car travel on the health of children in later life and how it potentially creates a new cause of disability. Disabled people's access to bus services in rural communities will also be discussed, along with new technologies for detecting vulnerable road users which may help to avoid road accidents, particularly those involving older people. Professor Peter Lansley, of the University of Reading's School of Construction Management and Engineering, and Director of EQUAL, said: 'There is a small but very committed community of researchers who are truly concerned with improving the transport system, whose work merits greater attention. 'This workshop will provide a first step in bringing that work to the notice of a much broader range of professionals in central and local government, charities and industry - most of whom will value and can use the insights and direction which the research provides.' There will be significant inputs from two members of DPTAC: Carol Thomas, the Chair for the day, and Professor Peter Barker OBE. Both will encourage and challenge Government, researchers and the education sector to redouble their efforts to move towards creating a truly inclusive transport system. End Notes for Editors DATE AND VENUE: 9.30am-4.40pm, Thursday 20 November 2003, at City Inn Westminster, 30 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4DD. Details of the event can be found at www.equal.ac.uk. EPSRC is the principal government body for supporting engineering and physical science research in universities. Its EQUAL (Extend Quality Life) Initiative was established in 1997 to support interdisciplinary multi-professional user-centred research to meet the needs of the ageing society and older and disabled people. The EQUAL Research Network, which is funded by EPSRC, is a leading interdisciplinary multi-professional network of researchers, older and disabled people and representatives of organisations which provide services and products to older people or represent their interests. DPTAC is an independent body established by Act of Parliament to advise Government on the transport needs of all disabled people across the UK. It is not a campaigning organisation. Its role is to give Government timely and credible advice which takes into account the views of all disabled people. Contact: Craig Hillsley, Press Officer, University of Reading, tel: (0118) 378 8005 e-mail: c.hillsley@reading.ac.uk