“Estudio de factibilidad para la implementación de facilidades de acceso al sistema de transporte público urbano, para las personas no videntes, en la ciudad de Ambato, provincia de Tungurahua”

Abstract

This project studies the feasibility of implementing access for blind people in urban public transport in the central area of Ambato city, Tungurahua province. It seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of a proposal to implement access facilities to improve the mobility of visually impaired people. Research tools and techniques, such as interviews, surveys, and observation sheets, helped determine the city's current situation. Regarding access facilities, the Ecuadorian Technical Standards INEN were essential to determine the dimensions of the tactile paving bands and information panels in braille language. In this sense, the Ecuadorian Technical Standard INEN 2854 emphasizes the accessibility of people to the physical environment. Signage for people with visual disabilities in urban spaces and public-access buildings. Signage on floors and haptic plans for people with visual disabilities and the Ecuadorian Technical Standard INEN 2850 emphasize the accessibility requirements for signage. This research reported the percentage of stops that have some ease of access for blind people in Ambato's urban public transport infrastructure and indicators resulting from the collected surveys addressed to two important groups of people to determine the city's current situation. During data collection for this research, it was noticeable that the urban public transport system lacked access for blind people to the road infrastructure of urban public transport. Thus, this research demonstrates that the necessity to promote social equality projects for vulnerable groups is evident.