Accessibility optimization of PRM in the ports of Ancona and Pesaro

MIMOSA: Feasibility study on the accessibility optimization of passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) in the ports of Ancona and Pesaro

The MIMOSA project (MarItime and Multimodal Sustainable pAssenger transport solutions and services) aims to improve the quality, safety, and environmental sustainability of marine and coastal transport services and nodes by promoting multimodality in the Programme area. Within this project, TRT Trasporti e Territorio  has been appointed by the Central Adriatic Ports Authority to conduct an analysis of accessibility optimization for people with reduced mobility (PRMs) in the ports of Ancona and Pesaro. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of accessible infrastructure and services and to identify possible improvements to the available services for passengers with physical, sensory (hearing and visual impairments), and mental-learning disabilities in the ports of Ancona and Pesaro, in accordance with the legislative framework..

In order to carry out the study, several activities have been undertaken, including fieldwork and mapping activities which allowed to map and verify the current status of accessible mobility infrastructures and services for passengers with disabilities in the ports of Ancona and Pesaro.

Furthermore, a participatory process was conducted based on individual interviews and final plenary meetings with local stakeholders, such as institutional bodies, maritime and local public transport operators, and associations of PRMs. The preliminary results that emerged from the fieldwork and the participatory process activities allowed to perform a SWOT analysis, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Then, the study has collected a series of national and international best practices to further identify possible improvements to the infrastructures and services currently offered to PRMs in the ports. Finally, a web accessibility analysis was conducted and a dedicated webpage on accessible transport infrastructures and services currently available in the ports of Ancona and Pesaro was developed.

The first results emerging from the study are:

• the provision of a dedicated transport service for PRMs connecting the port of Ancona to the station and the airport; and
• the integration of the study in the Plan for the Removal of Architectural Barriers (PEBA) of the Municipality of Pesaro.