Public Telephone

Design concept for a universal-access modular public telephone.

Existing British Telecom telephone booths are hopelessly inadequate for wheelchair users, parents with children in pushchairs, and the infirm. This project addresses the shortcomings of current telephone booths allowing much better universal access. The proposed design uses standard payphone units mounted within a modular system of booths/semi-open canopies.

The booth design offers more protection from the elements, with sufficient enclosed space for a wheelchair user or a parent with a pushchair. A small fixed seat within the booth provides support for infirm users, and enables a parent to sit facing a child in a pushchair whilst using the telephone. The booth has curved sliding doors, which are easier to operate from a wheelchair than a hinged door. A high-end version offers semi-automatic motorised operation. None of these features are offered by any existing phone booth in Britain.

The payphone is mounted on a common electrical/communications stand, with either a booth or canopy on one or both sides. This allows for a high degree of site-customisation. The booth is constructed of extruded stainless steel columns, enamelled steel cladding, and laminated safety glass. Door guide rails, lighting and optional door motor are housed in the roof. Small areas of roof glazing, made of laminated glass with a translucent interlayer increase the amount of indirect natural interior light. The seat is glass-reinforced polypropylene, and the door grab rails and handles are PVC-coated tubular steel. Overall, the design is intended to be modern and rugged with a high level of light/visibility and accessibility.

(Scale Ergonomic Package Drawing with RADAR/CAE average wheelchair user and Zone of Convenient Reach/outer reach zones pictured.)

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