Modeling the Role of Public Transport System in the Presence of Disabled Persons in Urban Spaces (Case Study: Isfahan City)

Human as a social creature has a right to participate in society and communicate with surrounding environment and community. Making special and physical contexts and what is required to access these contexts desirable and accessible for everyone is counted as a fundamental necessity for the development of each society. Handicapped, physical and mental disabled and veterans that have formed part of each society, have a right to use public spaces and community services and facilities. Despite of their potential and abilities, these people encounter with lack of accessibility to the urban space. Urban transport in its public form should meet the needs of different groups. Therefore, it is necessary to make public transportation modes prepare in order to ease conditions for their presence. Providing the possibility of being present in society for mentioned people has a huge influence on their mental health. On the other hand, by utilizing their potential, it will contribute to the whole society advancement. In addition, every human being will encounter with a disability during a period of life like as elderly, childhood and pregnancy. This fact that all of us may experience disability during our life makes it issue that is more significant.  This study aimed to assess the role of public transport system in Isfahan city to meet the physical needs of disabled persons and their social involvement in the community. In this research, was attempted to evaluate the efficiency of public transport network of Isfahan city, in behavioral, economical, accessibility, safety, security, convenience, and comfort dimensions, on the quality of disabled persons’ social life.

The research method, was practical and descriptive-analytic. Disabled people of Isfahan city (Isfahan province Center of Iran) were the study statistical society, 100 of them that were present in buses and bus stations chose as statistical sample. In order to data analysis, the factor analysis method was used in Amos Graphic software and role of measurable variables and main factors influenced in satisfaction of urban public transport has been determined. The acceptable meaningful level of factor loads (p<0.05) and the confidence interval was 95%. 

Standardized regression scale indicated that there was a meaningful relationship between independent variables (behavior, expenditure, accessibility, safety and security and comfort) and dependent one of disabled presence in urban spaces. Independent elements and dependent justified 48.25% and 38.73% respectively. According to the study consequences, the factor of accessibility with regression scale of 0.77 was a priority in order to satisfy disabled persons from urban transport. Then the factor of safety and security with regression scale of 0.61 was in the second level and the factor of people behavior with regression scale of 0.47 gathered the third level. Finally, the last rank belonged to the factor of comfort and convenience with regression scale of 0.43. Furthermore, around 96% of dependent variation was related to the quality of public transport system.

The results show that taking necessary measures to accommodate Isfahan public transport plays an effective role in the social presence of people with disabilities in the city.