Design for Accessibility for Floating Structures

Recently, many transport infrastructure operators having been undertaking works to improve access to public transport facilities for mobility impaired patrons. Mostly, these works have focused on step free access from vehicle (train, bus or car) to kerb for on land infrastructure.

However, floating structures, such as ferry terminals, are one of the more complex infrastructure designs, impacted by pontoon movements and the vertical tide range. Owing to the dynamic movements of floating structures, they pose a significant challenge to achieving compliance with the design code of practice for access for mobility-impaired people.

The vertical range of the tide means that the slope of the gangway is never constant, changing from a shallow slope to at times a relatively steep slope, meaning that the construction of ramps and landings complying with the code requirements is difficult.