Subway emergency preparedness in Shanghai: A focused group and interview study exploring the perceived experiences of senior citizens and the disabled

Benjamin Ohene Kwapong Baffoe, MEng; Zheng Shiyuan, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2017.0311

Authors

Benjamin Ohene Kwapong Baffoe, MEng
Zheng Shiyuan, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2017.0311

Keywords:

aged, disable people, emergency, evacuation, Subway

Abstract

As Shanghai's population increases and currently being boosted by an influx of foreigners, there has been pressure on the subway system and this has led to a great concern for the aged and disabled people (including foreigners) who use the subway during emergency situations. The present study uses an exploratory research approach including a focus group discussion (FGD) and interviews to uncover the experiences, safety concerns, and challenges that the aged and disabled faces when using the subway. A total of 38 participants were involved in the study, which comprises of three FGDs and interviews conducted in the city of Shanghai. The findings reveal that most aged and disabled subway riders have little or no knowledge about emergency safety measures or safety symbols, the administering of first aid and have language barrier concerns. This study recommends that policy makers and subway operators should get the aged and disabled people involved in developing more educational programs that will help them to better the concept of safety prevention measures and it also suggests holding more emergency drills involving the aged and disabled. Braille language symbols, sign languages on TV screens, specially designed subway maps, low-frequency alarms with flashing lights, and information printed in multiple international languages should also be provided to help foreigners understand the instructions and information in the subways. Additionally, these measures could help all commuters to feel safer when using the subway.

Author Biographies

Benjamin Ohene Kwapong Baffoe, MEng

Transport and Communication College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China

Zheng Shiyuan, PhD

Professor, Transport and Communication College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China

References

Lee R: The demographic transition: Three centuries of fundamental change. J Econ Perspect. 2003; 17: 167-190.

Ding C, Lichtenberg E: Land and urban economic growth in China*. J Reg Sci. 2010; 51(2): 299-317.

Li X, Zhou W, Ouyang Z: Forty years of urban expansion in Beijing: What is the relative importance of physical, socioeconomic, and neighborhood factors? Appl Geogr. 2013; 38: 1-10.

Li S, Lin S: Population aging and China's social security reforms. J Policy Model. 2016; 38(1): 65-95.

Long H, Zou J, Pykett J, et al.: Analysis of rural transformation development in China since the turn of the new millennium. Appl Geogr. 2011; 38(3): 1094-1105.

You H: Quantifying megacity growth in response to economic transition: A case of Shanghai, China. Habitat Int. 2016; 53: 115-122.

Shanghai Municipal Population and Family Planning Commission (SHPFPC): Current Demographic Situation of Shanghai (2012). Shanghai, China, 2012. Available at http://rkjsw.sh.gov.cn/spfpen/dr/data/2013110/0000066040660434698136.html?openpath=spfpen/data. Accessed February 22, 2016.

United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division: World Urbanization Prospects: The 2014 Revision, Highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/352). New York, 2014. Available at http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/highlights/wup2014-highlights.pdf. Accessed February 22, 2016.

Duan LR: Total traffic reduction: An important idea to deal with the relationship between the city and traffic. Compr Transportation. 2012; 6: 76-80.

Ningning Z: 300 hurt in Metro escalator accidents. Shanghai Daily. September 7, 2015. http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/society/300-hurt-in-Metro-escalator-accidents/shdaily.shtml. Accessed October 2, 2015.

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD): Equity in Transportation for People with Disabilities. Washington, DC. Available at http://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/transportation-disabilities.pdf. Accessed November 10, 2015.

Cheng H, Yang X: Emergency evacuation capacity of subway stations. Proc Soc Behav Sci. 2012; 43: 339-348.

Jiang C, Deng Y, Hu C, et al.: Crowding in platform staircases of a subway station in China during rush hours. Safety Sci. 2009; 47(7): 931-938.

Yi-Fan L, Jun-Min C, Jie J, et al.: Analysis of crowded degree of emergency evacuation at “Bottleneck” position in subway station based on stairway level of service. Proc Eng. 2011; 11: 242-251.

Wang J, Yan W, Zhi Y, et al.: Investigation of the panic psychology and behaviors of evacuation crowds in subway emergencies. Proc Eng. 2016; 135: 128-137.

Yao Y, Zhang J, Tao J, et al.: Safety problems in crowded underground space in Beijing. Proc Eng. 2012; 45: 763-767.

Creswell JW, Plano Clark VL, Gutmann ML, et al.: Advanced mixed methods designs. In Tashakkori A, Teddlie C (eds.): Handbook of Mixed Method Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2003: 209-240.

Krueger R: Analysing and reporting focus group results. In Analysing and Reporting Focus Group Results. London: Sage, 1998.

Creswell JW: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2009.

Crotty M: The Foundation of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998.

Mintzberg H: The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning. London: Harvard Business Review, 1994. Available at https://hbr.org/1994/01/the-fall-and-rise-of-strategic-planning. Accessed January 28, 2016.

Rowley DJ, Lujan HD, Dolence MG: Strategic Change in Colleges and Universities: Planning to Survive and Prosper. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1997.

Lincoln YS, Guba EG: Naturalistic Inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1985.

Strauss AC, Corbin JM: Grounded Theory in Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1997.

Dijkhuizen A, Hilgenkamp TI, Krijnen WP, et al.: The impact of visual impairment on the ability to perform activities of daily living for persons with severe/profound intellectual disability. Res Dev Disabil. 2016; 48: 35-42.

Flores G, Ingenhaag M, Maurer J: An anatomy of old-age disability: Time use, affect and experienced utility. J Health Econ. 2015; 44: 150-160.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO): The International Language of ISO Graphical Symbols. Geneva, Switzerland, 2013. Available at http://www.iso.org/iso/graphicalsymbols_booklet.pdf. Accessed January 13, 2016.

Kim EJ, Arai H, Chan P, et al.: Strategies on fall prevention for older people living in the community: A report from a round-table meeting in IAGG 2013. J Clin Gerontol Geriatr. 2015; 6(2): 39-44.

National Fire Protection Association: NFPA 170 Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols 2006 Edition. 2006th ed. Las Vagas NV, 2005.

Okamoto N, Greiner C, Paul G: Lesson and learned from the Older People in Case of Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. Proc Eng. 2015; 107: 133-139.

Yang J: Safety risk analysis and countermeasures study on regular mass passenger flow of China's urban subway. Proc Eng. 2016; 135: 174-178.

World Health Organization: Towards a common language for functioning, disability and health. Paper presented at: Towards a Common Language for Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Geneva, Switzerland, 2002.

Roebuck J: “When does old age begin? The evolution of the English definition”. J Soc Hist. 1979; 12(3): 416-428.

Kowal PR, Peachey K, World Health Organization: Information Needs for Research, Policy and Action on Ageing and Older Adults, A Report of the Follow-Up Meeting to the 2000 Harare MDS Workshop: Indicators for the Minimum Data Set Project on Ageing: A Critical Review in Sub-Saharan Africa, 21 and 22 June 2001, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2001. Available at http://www.who.int/iris/handle/10665/69829. Accessed December 3, 2015.

Sonawane AB: United Nations and human rights of elderly people. Res Front. 2015; special issue 4: 2320-8341. http://www.researchfront.in/13%20Special%20Issue%204/15.pdf. Accessed December 3, 2015.

Johnson M: Is 65 + old? Soc Policy. 1976; Nov/Dec: 9-12.

World Health Organization, The World Bank Group: World Report on Disability 2011. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2011.

Stapleton DP: Review of International Evidence on the Cost Of Disability. Norwich, UK: Department for Work and Pensions, 2008. Working Paper No. 542.

Tibble MB: Review of Existing Research on the Extra Costs of Disability. Leeds, UK: Department of Work and Pensions, 2005. Working Paper No. 21.

Trani JL: Poverty and disability: A vicious circle? Evidence from Afghanistan and Zambia. J Int Dev. 2012; 24: 19-52.

Wang Yuming LC: Preliminary research on aging population and flexible retirement policy of Shanghai. IERI Proc. 2012; 2: 455-459.

Winter CD, Berge AV, Schoufour J, et al.: A 3-year follow-up study on cardiovascular disease and mortality in older people with intellectual disabilities. Res Dev Disabil. 2016; 53-54: 115-126.

Chan AH, Han SH, Ng AW, et al.: Hong Kong Chinese and Korean comprehension of American security safety symbols. Int J Ind Ergonom. 2009; 39(5): 835-850.

Hashim MJ, Alkaabi MS, Bharwani S: Interpretation of way-finding healthcare symbols by a multicultural population: Navigation signage design for global health. Appl Ergonom. 2014; 45(3): 503-509.

Disability information Resources (DINF): Legislation on Equal Opportunities and Full Participation in Development for Disabled Persons/China. Thailand: United Nations Publication, 1997. Available at: http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/intl/z15/z15007le/z1500702.html#china.Accessed December 3, 2015.

National Fire Protection Association—NFPA: Fire Drills at School. Quincy, MA, 2016. Available at http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/public-education/resources/education-programs/learnnot-to-burn/level-1/lntblevel1firedrillschool.pdf?la=en. Accessed February 22, 2016.

Tsai M: Adults’ preferences between picture communication symbols (PCSs) and gus communication symbols (GCSs) used in AAC. Res Dev Disabil. 2013; 34(10): 3536-3544.

Li Y, Sun X, Feng X, et al.: Study on evacuation in subway transfer station fire by STEPS. Proc Eng. 2012; 45: 735-740.

Li Z, Tang M, Liang D, et al.: Numerical simulation of evacuation in a subway station. Proc Eng. 2016; 135: 615-620.

Yang X, Dong H, Yao X, et al.: Necessity of guides in pedestrian emergency evacuation. Physica A. 2016; 442: 397-408.

Krueger RA, Casey MA. Designing and conducting focus group interviews. In Social Analysis, Selected Tools and Techniques. Washington, DC: Social Development Department, The World Bank, 2002: 4-23.

Millward L: Focus groups. In Breakwell GM, Hammond S, and Fife-Shaw C (eds.): Research Methods in Psychology. London: Sage, 1995: 274-292.

Muhlenberg College: Muhlenberg College Policy and Procedure Regarding Research with Human Subjects. Allentown, PA. Available at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/pdf/main/academics/polisci/informed_consent_samples.pdf. Accessed December 12, 2015.