The effect of sensory architecture components on increasing the level of routing and finding people with disabilities in railway transportation station spaces.(Case study: Mehrabad Airport Metro Station)

Designing the rail transport station spaces to facilitate routing is a crucial and complex responsibility in architecture. Some problems in the design of these spaces are the biggest obstacles to the presence of disabled individuals . in social activities. The present study was aimed investigate and explain the role of sensory-based architecture components in routing-orientation of railway transport station spaces, as an approach in promoting and facilitating this process for the disabled. The methodology of the research was descriptive-analytical and correlation. The research area is Tehran metro stations and its statistical population was station users. The research sample was Mehrabad airport station and 246 users of this station were selected using purposive random sampling. The data were collected by both library and field methods. The components that facilitate routing-orientation and their instances were identified and extracted through the study and review of theoretical discussions on the research issue and face-to-face and semi-structured interviews with 20 experts. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made illustrated questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed by creating specific sensory conditions. The results showed that the motor components with a coefficient (0.810) had the highest impact in facilitating the routing process of disabled individuals. Physical components with coefficient (0.532), visual components with coefficient (0.460) and important signs with coefficient (0.271), also had a positive and significant effect on the routing orientation process of the people with disability. It was found that the most influential were the motor components, which indicate that routing depends on horizontal and vertical communication elements and how these elements are combined in the design of the routing process. Thus, the circulation system should be designed as its elements can be easily identified and designed based on the movement patterns of people with different abilities based on sensory components. In this regard, visual and informational emphasis on the location of stairs, elevators and their placement is of great importance. Design hierarchies and how to combine routes and intersections, nodes in them, how to access the outside, input and output, etc. , designing spaces with characters with special sensory characteristics (such as nostalgic sensory station design, child-oriented sensory station, elderly-oriented sensory station, memory-based sensory station, etc.),design the routes of intercity and suburban travel converter stations to understand the levels and platforms of passengers ‘ route change and entry and exit routes by understanding the geographical location of the ground to reduce the confusion sense of passengers (airport-railway), emphasis on designing each station uniquely and avoidance of repetition in designs and use of various materials for each station, etc. can be good solutions. Physical and visual components have a significant impact on facilitating the routing process. In station spaces that are mainly designed in the basement or closed spaces, the central openings (void, atrium, central courtyard, etc.) as intermediate and key destinations can be an important factor in marking and reducing distractions and can lead to better navigation and orientation. Various architectural visual components such as light, color, shape can be used to emphasize routing goals.