24 Hour Inclusive Design Challenge 2005
Bridge-it
Sky Interactive
The issue
Getting on and off, in and out of transport in the street, on the tube or around train platforms can be an ordeal and physical challenge for some members of society. Working with Michael Shamash, Chair of the Restricted Growth Association, the team decided to abandon all of the technological know-how at their disposal and step into his shoes.
What is it?
Bridge-it is a gel-filled rubber device that plugs the gap between vehicle and platform or kerb.
How does it work?
For the traveller, bridging the gap between the urban landscape and transport mode requires you to be confident, physically able and have good balance. If that is not the case, you can get help if you ask, are patient or have planned in advance. Bus drivers will lower their ramps, a taxi driver may stop and manually lower the taxi’s ramp too and given 24 hours notice, rail and flight travel assistance will be given. But all these solutions depend on the service provider or driver.
What if the street, the pavement or platform were adapted instead? The Sky Interactive team came up with the concept of Bridge-it – a gel-filled modular device of varying size and personality that can plug the gap and enhance the urban landscape as a piece of public art.
The benefits
- Low cost, adaptable, high impact solution
- Modular design of variable height and personality
- Assists users of all abilities
- Provides permanent pavement access to wheelchair users
- Easy to install and add to existing bus stops
- Low impact on other road users
- Would deter illegal parking at bus stops
- Could be commissioned as a public artwork of varying textures, surfaces and patterns
- Environmentally friendly version in recycled rubber.