Access Law is Catalyst for Entirely New Taxi Design in London

By Marc Krizack (krizack@sfsu.edu)
 

Critics of laws requiring accessibility often argue that the costs are too high.  But one industrial designer in England used the law as an opportunity to make the first redesign of London Taxis in more than 50 years. The result has benefited cab drivers and passengers, both disabled and not, and breathed new life into the maker of the famed London black cab.

Carbodies, the manufacturer of the London black cab, was already facing a difficult future when Parliament passed the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.  Carbodies had only one dated design and was out of compliance with a variety of regulations.  The 1995 Act required that all newly licensed taxis be accessible to people with disabilities and mandated that all taxis in London would be accessible by January 1, 2000.  If Carbodies didn't do something soon, it would be out of compliance with laws respecting disabled access and it would go out of business.
 

Talented designer

One member of Carbodies' management team was a talented young auto designer named Jevon Thorpe, who had graduated with a degree in industrial design from England's Coventry University.  Thorpe's objective was to redesign the traditional black cab to make it both accessible and modern on the interior, while maintaining the external visual image that had become as recognizable on the London urban landscape as the cablecar is in San Francisco.  The result was the TX1, which features lower emissions, improved safety, and increased driver comforts.  It is also the first taxi in the world with wheelchair accessibility, accomplished through larger doors, a roomy interior, and folding ramps.

Today, London is the only city in the world whose entire fleet of cabs is 100% wheelchair accessible.  This is especially significant in view of the fact that the lack of accessibility of the bus and underground (metro/subway) systems has left about 400,000 people with disabilities with no means of public transportation other than taxis.

With the success of the TX1, Carbodies became London Taxis International and Jevon Thorpe was named its managing director.  London Taxis International was recognized by British MP, Glenda Jackson, for its key role in achieving the goals of the 1995 legislation.  Thorpe was also granted an honorary degree of Master of Technology from his Alma Mater, Coventry University.
 

Safety issues

The lack of transport access for people with disabilities has been more than a mobility issue.  It has been a safety issue as well.  The London Metropolitan Police have stated that 25% of all rapes and serious sexual assaults are committed by unlicensed taxi drivers.  While taxis were inaccessible, a disabled woman in need of a ride had to put herself at the mercy of anyone willing to pick her up.  Now, all that has changed.

There are currently 22,500 licensed taxi drivers in London.  Though still referred to as "black cabs," cabs come in a variety of colors.  Many also sport advertising placards.
 

Improvements

The TX1 has been redesigned to feel and ride more like a car than a taxi.  It is roomier and ergonomically designed.  The windows are larger, providing better visibility and improved safety.   The instrument panel has a modern design with all instruments and controls within easy reach.  Improvements have been made to the ventilation system as well.  The vehicle, at least its luxury model, also comes with a state of the art stereo system.

Improvements in the passenger compartment include a specially designed child's seat.  And the standard swivel seat has been fitted with an integral back rest, perfect for elderly passengers or people with mobility problems.

To keep ahead of current and proposed European Union legislation the TX1 has increased door apertures (6 inches higher and 8 inches wider), that open to a full 90 degrees. This enables all customers, including wheelchair passengers, to get in and out safely and easily. Even the pull type exterior door handles are easier to open.

As London Taxi International says on its web site, "Ultimately, the TX1 offers a more comfortable, smoother journey for everyone."  After all, isn't that what universal design is all about?