Shinkansen: reviewing national guidelines by strengthening barrier-free measures

Review of national guidelines by strengthening barrier-free measures for Shinkansen March 3 at 6:34

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The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has decided to review national guidelines to secure free space where multiple people can ride side by side while riding a wheelchair on the Shinkansen, in an effort to strengthen barrier-free measures on the Shinkansen following the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Was.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been reviewing the barrier-free measures of the Shinkansen by setting up a study group made up of JR companies and organizations for persons with disabilities. Such problems have been pointed out.

For this reason, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reviewed the national guidelines that set standards for barrier-free public transport, and reinforced its policy to require JR companies to respond.

Specifically, it is required that there be at least one free space dedicated to each wheelchair that allows multiple people to ride side by side while riding a wheelchair.

The space will be large enough to accommodate a large stretcher-type wheelchair, and there will be a window-facing space to enjoy the outside scenery.

In addition, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is requesting that JR companies improve their systems so that wheelchair users can apply for reservations online.

In response to this, the JR side will respond accordingly, and more specific adjustments will be made in the future.

Space challenges

Shinkansen wheelchair spaces are set up by JR companies based on national guidelines that set barrier-free standards for public transport.

However, people in wheelchairs who use it have pointed out that the space and the size of the space are insufficient and it is difficult to use.

With regard to the number of wheelchair spaces, the current guidelines require that at least one train currently running per train be installed at least two places per train for trains introduced after April 1st. You. Only one wheelchair can be placed in one space.

In addition, it is desirable to set up a multipurpose room where large wheelchairs can be used.

Based on these guidelines, JR companies have set up two to three spaces for wheelchair users per Shinkansen train. However, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, there are cases where there are four locations per train on high-speed railways in France and Germany overseas.

Wheelchair users have reported that the Shinkansen in Japan has limited space and that wheelchair users cannot enjoy traveling together.

On the other hand, issues have been pointed out regarding the size. The current wheelchair space is required to be at least 1 cm 30 cm long and 75 cm wide, and the width of the adjacent aisle must be 40 cm or more.

However, in the current situation, wheelchairs may protrude into the aisle, causing collision when passing by other passengers, and the inconvenience of having to go out to the deck once for wheelchair users every time a wagon for in-car sales passes. It has been pointed out.

In addition, since the wheelchair space is located on the aisle side, there are voices requesting that a space be set up near the window so that you can enjoy the outside scenery, large electric wheelchairs using multipurpose rooms on the deck and with stretchers People in wheelchairs say that they want to spend time with friends and family who use regular seats.

Reservation method issues

JR companies require wheelchair users to apply for a "green window" or telephone at least two days in advance if they wish to use the space.

Even if you do not make a reservation two days in advance and apply just before, you can use it if there is space available, but on many Shinkansen you can make a reservation even if you are not a wheelchair user, so you can not secure space That is sometimes.

Regarding the reason for requesting advance application, JR companies say that it is necessary to secure space in advance so that users of wheelchairs can get on reliably and to secure station staff to help get on and off the Shinkansen. Is explained.

JR companies have stated that they will provide as much flexibility as possible, such as providing guidance to a "multipurpose room" even if another reservation has already been made on the day or the day before, and wheelchair space is not available.

Regarding these issues, in December last year, at the House of Representatives Land and Transport Commission, Reiko Shinsengumi, a member of the Senate Committee on Land and Infrastructure, complained of the fact that space may not be able to secure space. "It's awkward to set restrictions on the use of space," he said.

How to strengthen measures

In December last year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism set up a study group made up of JR companies and organizations for persons with disabilities in order to strengthen barrier-free measures on the Shinkansen.

In discussions to date, groups with disabilities have commented that there is less space for wheelchairs compared to overseas high-speed railways, that the space is too small, and that wheelchairs protrude into the aisles.

In addition, regarding the reservation method, there was a request that applications should be accepted until the day of the event, and in addition to telephone and counters, Internet reservations should be introduced.

For this reason, the study group is working on establishing and strengthening working groups on hardware measures such as seat arrangement and software measures such as reservation methods.

In January, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Akabane visited the new Tokaido Shinkansen train, the N700S, which was introduced in July, and heard opinions from wheelchair users about barrier-free issues.

Users commented that "there is not enough space for wheelchairs" or "the size of toilets and multipurpose rooms is insufficient", and Minister Akabane said that "disabled people can ride comfortably without discrimination. It's the mission and responsibility of the railway operator. "