Le pôle d'échanges multimodaux comme lieu d'attente : nœud des problèmes rencontrés en situation de handicap psychique, cognitif ou mental ?

Abstract

People with mental cognitive or psychological disabilities can potentially relax, get help or schedule their coming route in multimodal transportation hubs. However, these places are full of people, full of screens, full of cognitive attractors and require to know locally specific rules and codes. So they can also become problematic places for people with mental, cognitive or psychological disabilities.Based on two qualitative sociological surveys the author describes multimodal transportation hubs as a double hinge. From a spatial point of view, they produce a very unique environment that breaks with common codes due to specific landmarks systems. From a time point of view, in multimodal transportation hubs takes place several waiting behaviors at heart of the journey.Then the paper focuses on how is problematic this waiting period for people affected by the disability situations studied. These periods are at times complicated to complete. Sometimes it also generates anxiety feelings.Finally, the study of the waiting time in transportation hubs and other inter-modal places shows a paradox. Indeed it appears that despite a possible anticipation of waiting, some people prefer inaction. If this anticipation is less possible, other people would prefer action despite the risk of serious complications.

Keywords

• accessibility
• mental
• cognitive and psychological disability
• multimodal transportation hubs
• waiting
• qualitative survey