Summary of the 2nd TWG Meeting

The second Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting for the DANOVA NEXT project was successfully held online on October 4, 2024, bringing together project partners to discuss key aspects of accessibility in transport. Participants were divided into two groups to facilitate a more productive and fruitful discussion.

The meeting's agenda included an introduction to the project, followed by in-depth discussions on transport accessibility and innovative solutions, focusing on identifying gaps in accessibility, reviewing existing solutions, and addressing the needs of passengers with disabilities.

Key findings highlighted significant gaps in transport accessibility, particularly regarding legislation, maintenance of accessibility measures, and the need for better coordination between authorities and transport operators. Discrepancies were noted between urban and rural areas, with larger cities generally offering better accessibility. Proposed improvements included enhanced training, use of AI for assistance, and strengthened standardization. The session also included the creation of an evaluation matrix to help prioritize existing solutions for the final users of the strategy, as well as developing a table of measures to address and overcome the identified barriers.

These discussions and outcomes mark an important step in shaping a comprehensive accessibility strategy that responds to the real needs of passengers with disabilities.