Work plan objective: to advocate for increased older adult access to transportation options
A case study: Fall/Tripping Hazards on the
Light Rail Platforms in Downtown San Jose
Why I advocated for eliminating the fall hazard on
the light rail platforms in downtown San Jose:
● Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older.
● It seemed simple: report the problem to the responsible entity and witness its elimination.
● It seemed non-controversial: Solving it would benefit everyone, especially older adults and people with
disabilities like low vision. Also, ridership might increase when this hazard was eliminated.
What I did:
● Contacted VTA Customer Service in Oct. 2019. Was told that the VTA was already aware of this safety hazard.
● Publicly commented at 2 CTMA* meetings. Was assured they would place it on their agenda. They did not.
● Participated on March 2, 2020 in a joint meeting with VTA and SJ DOT at the St. James Light Rail Station. Nikita Sinha (CalWalks) suggested an interim solution. It was rejected. ● Publicly commented at the March 5, 2020 VTA Board Meeting. ● Continued asking questions, requesting updates from SJ DOT engineers at Zoom meetings, focus groups, and on the phone. *Committee for Transportation Mobility & Accessibility’s Duties: “advise VTA Board on “mobility matters, accessibility of all VTA transit services . . . senior citizens and persons with disabilities . . . compliance . . . with ADA . . . and other laws.”
Questions I asked:
● What was delaying the elimination of this fall hazard? ● Why were the VTA and the City still discussing it?
● Do the City and the VTA share liability?
● Which entity is responsible for the original platform design?
● Do the City and VTA agree that the solution must be
ADA-compliant?
● Have SJ and/or the VTA applied for FTA 5310 funds since the fix would “improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance on complementary paratransit”?
● When will this fall hazard be eliminated?
CM Raul Peralez agendized the downtown light rail platforms for the VTA’s SSTPO May 20, 2021 committee meeting.
Here is the report:
Outcome and Current Status
● The VTA’s report fails to acknowledge that the platforms, in their current state, constitute a safety hazard in downtown San Jose. ● The current safety hazard will, for the time being, not be eliminated for lack of funds.
● Those who will continue to be harmed the most are older adults and people with disabilities. Even “minor” injuries for these groups can lead to disability and death.
More questions arise:
● Do the VTA and SJDOT consider ADA-compliance in design and construction?
● Are safety and equity considerations an integral part of the VTA’s and SJDOT’s policy- and decision-making processes? ● Is this fall hazard an example of the harmful consequences of policy- and decision-making that exclude actual riders who are affected by these policies and decisions?
● How well do SJ and the VTA fulfill the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities who do not require paratransit services?
● Do we have any data showing that the 12/28/19 VTA service cuts/changes were a “success” for older adult riders and people with disabilities who use fixed routes?
● How will SJ and the VTA prioritize new bus stop amenities? ● Will SJ and the VTA ensure ADA-compliance in future design and construction?
● What can we do to ensure that older adults who actually use public transit are included in the policy- and decision-making processes that affect their access and safety?