Posts tagged "Accessibility"

The first escalators installed at Rondo Polsad!

This week, the first escalators were installed at the Rondo Polsad station.


The station will have four entrances: two located on both sides of Młyńska Street, and two more on Lublańska Street — one at the intersection with Promienistych Street, and the other near the office buildings. Thanks to this layout, passengers will be able to reach the station safely and comfortably from every side of Rondo Polsad.

Access to the facility, which is approximately 20 meters deep, will be provided by five elevators, six pairs of escalators, and six sets of traditional open staircases.

The station design was consulted with the Consultative Team for the Accessibility of Municipal Infrastructure for People with Disabilities, operating under the District Social Council for People with Disabilities at the Mayor of Kraków. Thanks to clear guidelines, we were able to adapt the facility to the needs of people with reduced mobility, wheelchair users, and people who are visually impaired or blind. Special emphasis was placed on eliminating potential barriers on the station platforms. Warning strips with a changed texture and contrasting colours will appear at the platform edges and before each descent to the underground platforms (near staircases).

Rondo Polsad Station is a two-level interchange hub — undoubtedly one of the most impressive parts of the KST IV project!

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Zdjęcie podglądowe schodów ruchomych. Źródło: wizualizacja wykonana na potrzeby innych projektów Gulermak

Passengers will reach underground stops by elevators and escalators

The tram route to Mistrzejowice will feature a grade-separated solution through two Kraków roundabouts: underground. Moving between levels is not easy for everyone and some users may even find it impossible. Therefore, the design provides for safe elevators and escalators.

Access to individual floors of the Polsadu Roundabout underground stop – which can be used by up to 1,600 passengers per hour – is ensured mainly by traditional stairs. However, the design also includes six pairs of escalators, i.e. as many as 12 flights. If combined in a single row, they would lead passengers to a height of about 60 meters: as high as the St. Mary’s Tower!

Coming back down to earth: the escalators will be inclined at an angle of 30 degrees and their usable width will be 1m. For safety, the edges of individual steps will be marked with a contrasting color and the flights will be equipped with dynamic traffic lights prohibiting or allowing access. In addition, the operation of the stairs will be monitored 24 hours a day by the BMS system and supervised by qualified staff at the stop.

Elevator to the platform

It will also be possible to get to the modern underground stop by elevators. Although intended for every user, they are dedicated especially to the elderly, individuals with limited mobility and carers with children in prams. There will be facilities for the blind. The buttons on the controls inside and on the call panel will be equipped with Braille. A voice information system will also be put in place.

Elevator dimensions will allow for the free movement of a larger group of passengers – anyone with suitcases, luggage, backpacks or bicycles. An additional convenience secured by the designers are heated door sills to facilitate opening and closing the door in the winter in case the snow freezes.  What about floors? Under their feet, passengers will see stone slabs matching other floors. Elevators have also been designed at the Młyńskie Roundabout stop located on level -1, but in a semi-open and secured excavation.

Technology that will last

Elevator interior will be finished in a vandal-resistant stainless steel. They will be monitored and a visual signal will be transmitted to the surveillance room 24/7. For safe and efficient operation, both the elevators and the escalators will be regularly maintained and inspected. Passengers will be enjoying them for many years to come!

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