Ankeng Light Rail Transit

Our Future Ready approach informed universal design of the project that is inclusive of neurodiversity, disabilities, gender and the needs of aging communities.

Location

Taiwan

Client

China Steel Corporation

Project Status

Completed

Appointed as the project and construction management consultancy, WSP was involved in the planning and design work for the Ankeng Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and its surrounding land development in New Taipei City of Taiwan. Aiming to improve mobility in suburban areas and promote local economic development, this 7.5km-long LRT line serves the Xindian district with nine stations, and connects to the Circular Line that reaches Taipei city since February 2023.

A number of Future Ready trends shaped our decision-making process for this project, reflecting our commitment to universal design that is inclusive of neurodiversity, disabilities, gender and the needs of aging communities.

Length

7.5km

No. of stations

9

All-round social inclusiveness

Society is one the four major lens we use to analyse future trends. In traditional transportation engineering planning, greater emphasis is placed on accessibility and passenger comfort. However, different demographics may have competing demands. For instance, women may seek a safer environment when traveling at night, while the elderly and people with disabilities may require greater comfort and convenience when boarding and disembarking. Better solutions were needed.

Against that backdrop, more stringent standards were implemented to regulate platform and train car height for platform-level boarding as a universal design, thus facilitating access for people with physical disabilities and the elderly. Elevator services were also provided at key locations.

Neurodiversity in consideration

People with conditions like Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD or Autism often face challenges when navigating unfamiliar surroundings. They may struggle to comprehend and adhere to conventional directions or visual cues. Therefore, we proposed neurodiverse design elements include alternative wayfinding and signage, tracking screens and options aimed at reducing overstimulation for certain users.

Outcome that benefits all

In the final design phase of the project, we established station design guidelines to regulate the platform height and train car floor height and to provide elevator services at elevated stations to meet the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities. In addition, we also included satisfaction analysis targeted at different demographics in the satisfaction surveys conducted during the operation stage.

We also planned a specific platform for female passengers to safely take trains at night with various systems in place, such as safety lighting, surveillance cameras, emergency calls, and alarm detection. In addition, the station’s peak-hour passenger flow was evaluated to check that the ratio of male and female restrooms is adequate, providing a more comfortable travel environment.