Elevator World

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

WITTUR NAMES ESTEVANT-RIGAUT TOP HR OFFICER

The Wittur Group has named Aline Estevant-Rigaut, a veteran HR professional with more than 25 years of international experience, its chief human resources officer (CHRO), the company has announced. The announcement noted Estevant-Rigaut has led HR teams for major global companies across a variety of business sectors, including the chemical, packaging and automotive industries. She was born in France, and holds master's degrees in HR management and business administration, as well as professional HR qualifications from the London Business School.

 

66-STORY SKYSCRAPER RISING IN NYC’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Construction on a 66-story, 755-ft.-tall residential skyscraper designed by Adjaye Associates, the firm’s first in New York City (NYC), is above grade at 130 William Street in the Financial District, The Architect’s Newspaper reports. On track for completion in 2020, the tower will be distinguished by precast concrete façade with accents of bronze, and arches and loggias on the upper floors. Boasting views of the East River, it will have 244 units and a slew of amenities, including “a black-tiled swimming pool with grandiose windows, rooftop observatory and reportedly, an IMAX theater. The Lightstone Group is the developer.

 

AUSTRALIAN BUILDERS REPORT BOOM IN HOME ELEVATORS

At one time, a home elevator was a luxury reserved almost exclusively for the very rich, but builders in Australia say several factors are fueling a boom in personal elevators, The Australian reports. One lift company owner told the source that a little over a decade ago, it installed about 12 elevators a year, but that number has grown to about 300. Affordability is one factor: lift equipment for a private residence runs about AUD30,000-40,000 (US$23,000-30,700), a price that one contractor says is lower than another popular amenity, swimming pools. Another factor is that the population in general is aging, and elevators allow older people to stay in their homes longer. Yet another reason is the popularity of multistory homes.

 

ESCALATORS TO OPEN AT PRAGUE METRO STATION

Escalators at Prague's Nádraží Veleslavin metro station are set to open on April 13, three years after the station opened, CitySpyPrague reports. The station is on one of four new lines that opened in April 2015 on the Czech Republic capital's metro line A. Buses provide service between the Nádraží Veleslavin station and Václav Havel Airport, meaning many travelers have been forced to carry luggage up or down the station's stairs or receive help from porters. The Nádraží Veleslavin station is not the only Prague metro station to get new escalators this year: escalators at the well-trafficked Anděl and Náměstí Republiky stations are also being replaced, and Karlovo Náměstí is next on the schedule.

 

WOMAN KILLED WHEN ELEVATOR MALFUNCTIONS

A woman in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, was killed in a malfunctioning elevator as she was traveling with her three-year-old daughter, APA reported on April 9. Authorities said the 27-year-old woman, a co-host of a popular children's television program, had boarded the elevator with her daughter on the sixth floor of their building. The elevator's doors began to open and shut erratically, authorities said, and as the woman tried to get off on the third floor, the doors apparently closed on her leg, and the elevator suddenly moved up. Her leg was severed, and she died of blood loss and shock, authorities said. Emergency responders rescued the child, who was taken to a hospital for treatment of a possible head injury.

Image: CitySpyPrague:

https://cz.cityspy.network/prague/features/pragues-nadrazi-veleslavin-metro-station-escalators-to-debut-next-week/

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

WITTUR NAMES ESTEVANT-RIGAUT TOP HR OFFICER

The Wittur Group has named Aline Estevant-Rigaut, a veteran HR professional with more than 25 years of international experience, its chief human resources officer (CHRO), the company has announced. The announcement noted Estevant-Rigaut has led HR teams for major global companies across a variety of business sectors, including the chemical, packaging and automotive industries. She was born in France, and holds master's degrees in HR management and business administration, as well as professional HR qualifications from the London Business School.

 

66-STORY SKYSCRAPER RISING IN NYC’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Construction on a 66-story, 755-ft.-tall residential skyscraper designed by Adjaye Associates, the firm’s first in New York City (NYC), is above grade at 130 William Street in the Financial District, The Architect’s Newspaper reports. On track for completion in 2020, the tower will be distinguished by precast concrete façade with accents of bronze, and arches and loggias on the upper floors. Boasting views of the East River, it will have 244 units and a slew of amenities, including “a black-tiled swimming pool with grandiose windows, rooftop observatory and reportedly, an IMAX theater. The Lightstone Group is the developer.

 

AUSTRALIAN BUILDERS REPORT BOOM IN HOME ELEVATORS

At one time, a home elevator was a luxury reserved almost exclusively for the very rich, but builders in Australia say several factors are fueling a boom in personal elevators, The Australian reports. One lift company owner told the source that a little over a decade ago, it installed about 12 elevators a year, but that number has grown to about 300. Affordability is one factor: lift equipment for a private residence runs about AUD30,000-40,000 (US$23,000-30,700), a price that one contractor says is lower than another popular amenity, swimming pools. Another factor is that the population in general is aging, and elevators allow older people to stay in their homes longer. Yet another reason is the popularity of multistory homes.

 

ESCALATORS TO OPEN AT PRAGUE METRO STATION

Escalators at Prague's Nádraží Veleslavin metro station are set to open on April 13, three years after the station opened, CitySpyPrague reports. The station is on one of four new lines that opened in April 2015 on the Czech Republic capital's metro line A. Buses provide service between the Nádraží Veleslavin station and Václav Havel Airport, meaning many travelers have been forced to carry luggage up or down the station's stairs or receive help from porters. The Nádraží Veleslavin station is not the only Prague metro station to get new escalators this year: escalators at the well-trafficked Anděl and Náměstí Republiky stations are also being replaced, and Karlovo Náměstí is next on the schedule.

 

WOMAN KILLED WHEN ELEVATOR MALFUNCTIONS

A woman in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, was killed in a malfunctioning elevator as she was traveling with her three-year-old daughter, APA reported on April 9. Authorities said the 27-year-old woman, a co-host of a popular children's television program, had boarded the elevator with her daughter on the sixth floor of their building. The elevator's doors began to open and shut erratically, authorities said, and as the woman tried to get off on the third floor, the doors apparently closed on her leg, and the elevator suddenly moved up. Her leg was severed, and she died of blood loss and shock, authorities said. Emergency responders rescued the child, who was taken to a hospital for treatment of a possible head injury.

Image: CitySpyPrague:

https://cz.cityspy.network/prague/features/pragues-nadrazi-veleslavin-metro-station-escalators-to-debut-next-week/

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

IMPERIAL ELECTRIC OPENS WEST COAST WAREHOUSE

Imperial Electric (a subsidiary of Nidec Motors Corp.) has announced the opening of a new warehouse in southern California. It is fully stocked with submersible and dry hydraulic motors, and allows for immediate shipping and pickup. It is located at 11231 Jersey Blvd., #101, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730. The company says it is centrally located with easy access from the major freeways. Imperial Electric’s North American elevator production facility and main warehouse remain in Middleport, Ohio.

DISTINCTIVE NEW DESIGN FOR DURST SKYSCRAPER IN QUEENS

A "restrained yet distinctive" new design by Handel Architects has been revealed for the Durst Organization's Queens Plaza Park Tower, a 63-story, 710-ft.-tall residential building that will be the tallest tower in Long Island City, New York, New York YIMBY reports. Its shimmery, concave façade will cradle the 1927 Art Deco Long Island City Clock Tower, which will be retrofitted to house 50,000 sq. ft. of commercial and retail space. The look for 29-37 41st Avenue is quite different from a previous iteration that was just as tall, but more geometric. Queens Plaza Park Tower will house approximately 960 residences within its 978,000 sq. ft., along with plenty of amenities. Construction is already underway.

TRIANGULAR RESIDENTIAL TOWER PLANNED IN ROTTERDAM

A Rotterdam-based architectural firm has released a design for a 110-m-tall, triangular residential tower for the Netherlands city's Maritiem District, ArchDaily reports. CasaNova, as the tower will be named, will feature a large base, with the lower four floors tapering until the building meets the base, creating a sharply angled form. The base will be shared with an adjacent residential building, The Muse, and will include a large garden, a fitness center, office spaces and shops. Renderings show CasaNova rising 31 stories. Each floor of the Barcode Architects-designed tower will hold three apartments, each with a balcony and windows offering 300° views of the city. Construction is expected to begin in early 2019, and completion is targeted for late 2021.

SFMTA TACKLES “ELEVATORS AS BATHROOMS” PROBLEM

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has approved US$1.6 million to staff elevators at Civic Center and Powell Street Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations with attendants to stop people from using them as bathrooms, the San Francisco Examiner reports. As part of a pilot program starting late this month, attendants will stand in and around the elevators daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. BART intends to contract out the work to a nonprofit organization that will also provide homeless outreach. Homelessness and BART elevators and escalators being used as bathrooms have been longstanding problems in the city.

7 INJURED IN PCC ESCALATOR MALFUNCTION IN PHILADELPHIA

Seven people were hospitalized with minor injuries when a down escalator in the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) in downtown Philadelphia malfunctioned on April 4, CBS Philly reports. The unit was taken out of service as the cause of the malfunction was investigated. A PCC spokesman said PCC takes the safety of its guests “very seriously” and extended an apology to those affected.

Photo courtesy sfexaminer.com:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/pilot-program-will-staff-attendants-stop-people-urinating-bart-muni-elevators/

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

IMPERIAL ELECTRIC OPENS WEST COAST WAREHOUSE

Imperial Electric (a subsidiary of Nidec Motors Corp.) has announced the opening of a new warehouse in southern California. It is fully stocked with submersible and dry hydraulic motors, and allows for immediate shipping and pickup. It is located at 11231 Jersey Blvd., #101, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730. The company says it is centrally located with easy access from the major freeways. Imperial Electric’s North American elevator production facility and main warehouse remain in Middleport, Ohio.

DISTINCTIVE NEW DESIGN FOR DURST SKYSCRAPER IN QUEENS

A "restrained yet distinctive" new design by Handel Architects has been revealed for the Durst Organization's Queens Plaza Park Tower, a 63-story, 710-ft.-tall residential building that will be the tallest tower in Long Island City, New York, New York YIMBY reports. Its shimmery, concave façade will cradle the 1927 Art Deco Long Island City Clock Tower, which will be retrofitted to house 50,000 sq. ft. of commercial and retail space. The look for 29-37 41st Avenue is quite different from a previous iteration that was just as tall, but more geometric. Queens Plaza Park Tower will house approximately 960 residences within its 978,000 sq. ft., along with plenty of amenities. Construction is already underway.

TRIANGULAR RESIDENTIAL TOWER PLANNED IN ROTTERDAM

A Rotterdam-based architectural firm has released a design for a 110-m-tall, triangular residential tower for the Netherlands city's Maritiem District, ArchDaily reports. CasaNova, as the tower will be named, will feature a large base, with the lower four floors tapering until the building meets the base, creating a sharply angled form. The base will be shared with an adjacent residential building, The Muse, and will include a large garden, a fitness center, office spaces and shops. Renderings show CasaNova rising 31 stories. Each floor of the Barcode Architects-designed tower will hold three apartments, each with a balcony and windows offering 300° views of the city. Construction is expected to begin in early 2019, and completion is targeted for late 2021.

SFMTA TACKLES “ELEVATORS AS BATHROOMS” PROBLEM

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has approved US$1.6 million to staff elevators at Civic Center and Powell Street Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations with attendants to stop people from using them as bathrooms, the San Francisco Examiner reports. As part of a pilot program starting late this month, attendants will stand in and around the elevators daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. BART intends to contract out the work to a nonprofit organization that will also provide homeless outreach. Homelessness and BART elevators and escalators being used as bathrooms have been longstanding problems in the city.

7 INJURED IN PCC ESCALATOR MALFUNCTION IN PHILADELPHIA

Seven people were hospitalized with minor injuries when a down escalator in the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) in downtown Philadelphia malfunctioned on April 4, CBS Philly reports. The unit was taken out of service as the cause of the malfunction was investigated. A PCC spokesman said PCC takes the safety of its guests “very seriously” and extended an apology to those affected.

Photo courtesy sfexaminer.com:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/pilot-program-will-staff-attendants-stop-people-urinating-bart-muni-elevators/

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

SUIT CALLS FOR HANDICAPPED ELEVATORS AT NYC TRAIN STATIONS

Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible elevators are among measures called for in a lawsuit filed by more than two dozen neighborhood associations and two disability-rights groups over a plan to shut down one of the busiest train routes in New York City (NYC) by April 2019, Curbed New York reports. At issue is shutdown of the L Train, with routes from Williamsburg to the west side of Manhattan, to repair the train’s tunnel under the East River. Naming the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit, New York Department of Transportation and Federal Transportation Administration, the suit also alleges the government failed to conduct an environmental impact study and seeks to withhold government funding. The L Train has approximately 400,000 daily riders.

REMARKABLE SOM DESIGN FOR MIXED-USE TOWER IN CHINA

"Programmatic, structural and environmental criteria" drove the striking design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for the Hangzhou Wangchao Center, a 288-m-tall, 54-story mixed-use tower set to be complete in 2021 in the heart of Hangzhou, China, host of the Asian Games in 2022, designboom reports. SOM observes the structure, housing office, hotel and retail space within its 125,000 m2 is adjacent to one of the city's new subway stations and signifies its future as a new, global destination. Its distinctive, rippling silhouette is the result of a structure that "minimizes wind loads with eight mega columns that slope outward to create large, flexible floorplates."

DEVELOPER STILL PURSUING MIAMI SKYSCRAPER PLANS

Five years after announcing a plan to build an 80-story mixed-use tower as part of the Brickell CityCentre development in Miami’s financial district, Swire Properties has again filed the plan with the Federal Aviation Administration, The Next Miami reports. The plan, filed on March 29, is for a 1,040-ft.-tall tower at 700 Brickell Avenue, identical to the previous one approved in June 2015 and granted an extension in late 2016. Since the approval expires in June 2018, the new filing indicates Swire still plans to build the tower, which will be one of the tallest in Florida.

SUIT CALLS FOR HANDICAPPED ELEVATORS AT NYC TRAIN STATIONS

Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible elevators are among measures called for in a lawsuit filed by more than two dozen neighborhood associations and two disability-rights groups over a plan to shut down one of the busiest train routes in New York City (NYC) by April 2019, Curbed New York reports. At issue is shutdown of the L Train, with routes from Williamsburg to the west side of Manhattan, to repair the train’s tunnel under the East River. Naming the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit, New York Department of Transportation and Federal Transportation Administration, the suit also alleges the government failed to conduct an environmental impact study and seeks to withhold government funding. The L Train has approximately 400,000 daily riders.

REMARKABLE SOM DESIGN FOR MIXED-USE TOWER IN CHINA

"Programmatic, structural and environmental criteria" drove the striking design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for the Hangzhou Wangchao Center, a 288-m-tall, 54-story mixed-use tower set to be complete in 2021 in the heart of Hangzhou, China, host of the Asian Games in 2022, designboom reports. SOM observes the structure, housing office, hotel and retail space within its 125,000 m2 is adjacent to one of the city's new subway stations and signifies its future as a new, global destination. Its distinctive, rippling silhouette is the result of a structure that "minimizes wind loads with eight mega columns that slope outward to create large, flexible floorplates."

DEVELOPER STILL PURSUING MIAMI SKYSCRAPER PLANS

Five years after announcing a plan to build an 80-story mixed-use tower as part of the Brickell CityCentre development in Miami’s financial district, Swire Properties has again filed the plan with the Federal Aviation Administration, The Next Miami reports. The plan, filed on March 29, is for a 1,040-ft.-tall tower at 700 Brickell Avenue, identical to the previous one approved in June 2015 and granted an extension in late 2016. Since the approval expires in June 2018, the new filing indicates Swire still plans to build the tower, which will be one of the tallest in Florida.

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

To view and download today's news manuscript, visit:

http://elevatorworld.com/pdf/podcast/040518.pdf

Photo courtesy dexus.com:

http://www.dexus.com/leasing/retail-leasing/eagle-street-pier

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

To view and download today's news manuscript, visit:

http://elevatorworld.com/pdf/podcast/040518.pdf

Photo courtesy dexus.com:

http://www.dexus.com/leasing/retail-leasing/eagle-street-pier

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today's podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com.

SCHINDLER VT SYSTEM TO SERVE NYC’S ONE VANDERBILT

One Vanderbilt, a skyline-defining building in New York City (NYC) ELEVATOR WORLD has been watching closely, now has a vertical-transportation (VT) partner in Schindler, with a contract awarded by construction manager AECOM Tishman Construction. The 58-story, 1.7-million-sq.-ft. office tower designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox is being built in Midtown adjacent to Grand Central Terminal. SL Green Realty Corp. is the developer, and the terminal will receive US$220 million in infrastructure upgrades. One Vanderbilt will be outfitted with 42 elevators and five escalators. Thirty of the elevators will be equipped with Schindler's PORT destination-dispatch technology. The building is expected to open in 2020.

 

TEXAS-BASED HEARTLAND ELEVATOR ACQUIRED BY KONE

KONE announced on April 3 it has acquired the service and repair business of Heartland Elevator, LCC, of Lewisville, Texas, including its operations throughout the Dallas area. Observing the acquisition strengthens KONE's local operations and brings additional talent and experience to the Dallas area, KONE said Heartland was founded in 2014 and has built a "solid reputation of performing high-quality service, modernization and repair work." Executive Vice President for KONE Americas Larry Wash welcomed Heartland employees to the KONE team.

 

ALIMAK BMUs FOR CENTERPIECE OF EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Cimolai Rimond Middle East has placed an SEK32-million (US$3.8-million) order with Alimak Group for its CoxGomyl building maintenance units (BMUs) to maintain and clean the special fabric elements that form the external skin of Al Wasl Plaza, the centerpiece of Expo 2020 Dubai. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the structure will be topped by a dome trellis structure 67.5 m tall and 130 m wide. When finished, it will consist of 13,600 m of intricate steelwork and weigh 2,265 mT. Alimak's CoxGomyl will supply, install, test and commission the BMUs, with delivery anticipated by mid 2019.

 

EMR REDESIGNS WEBSITE

Electric Motor Repair Co. (EMR) has launched a new website. In addition to easier navigation, there is a new blog, EMR Today, featuring such useful topics as industry trends, expert advice and technician tips. With additional online form options, businesses can now submit more comprehensive service maintenance requests. The company added that there are also “updated imagery, features and content. EMR’s roots date back to 1927 in Baltimore, and the site reflects the growth of the brand today."

 

CHILD DIES AFTER RESIDENTIAL LIFT MISHAP IN DHAKA

A 10-year-old girl was pronounced dead after she was critically injured in a lift in a multistory residential building in the Shantinagar area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on March 29, the Dhaka Tribune reports. The source said the child became trapped in the lift door and was hit in the head when her family boarded the lift and it went up. The building contains 180 flats and is served by six elevators and three lift operators. The victim's family, as well as other residents, said the elevator's sensors were not working properly — an issue a building employee said he was unaware of.

 

JAPAN AIMS FOR FULL STEP-FREE ACCESS AT AIRPORTS, STATIONS

Looking ahead to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Japanese government aims to increase step-free access to 100% from 87.2% at facilities with more than 3,000 daily users by March 2021, Japan Today reports. Major train stations, bus terminals and airports will be the focus. Japan also aims to provide more low-floor buses and, according to the source, "create easily accessible environments and promote urban planning for them."

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today's podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com.

SCHINDLER VT SYSTEM TO SERVE NYC’S ONE VANDERBILT

One Vanderbilt, a skyline-defining building in New York City (NYC) ELEVATOR WORLD has been watching closely, now has a vertical-transportation (VT) partner in Schindler, with a contract awarded by construction manager AECOM Tishman Construction. The 58-story, 1.7-million-sq.-ft. office tower designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox is being built in Midtown adjacent to Grand Central Terminal. SL Green Realty Corp. is the developer, and the terminal will receive US$220 million in infrastructure upgrades. One Vanderbilt will be outfitted with 42 elevators and five escalators. Thirty of the elevators will be equipped with Schindler's PORT destination-dispatch technology. The building is expected to open in 2020.

 

TEXAS-BASED HEARTLAND ELEVATOR ACQUIRED BY KONE

KONE announced on April 3 it has acquired the service and repair business of Heartland Elevator, LCC, of Lewisville, Texas, including its operations throughout the Dallas area. Observing the acquisition strengthens KONE's local operations and brings additional talent and experience to the Dallas area, KONE said Heartland was founded in 2014 and has built a "solid reputation of performing high-quality service, modernization and repair work." Executive Vice President for KONE Americas Larry Wash welcomed Heartland employees to the KONE team.

 

ALIMAK BMUs FOR CENTERPIECE OF EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Cimolai Rimond Middle East has placed an SEK32-million (US$3.8-million) order with Alimak Group for its CoxGomyl building maintenance units (BMUs) to maintain and clean the special fabric elements that form the external skin of Al Wasl Plaza, the centerpiece of Expo 2020 Dubai. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the structure will be topped by a dome trellis structure 67.5 m tall and 130 m wide. When finished, it will consist of 13,600 m of intricate steelwork and weigh 2,265 mT. Alimak's CoxGomyl will supply, install, test and commission the BMUs, with delivery anticipated by mid 2019.

 

EMR REDESIGNS WEBSITE

Electric Motor Repair Co. (EMR) has launched a new website. In addition to easier navigation, there is a new blog, EMR Today, featuring such useful topics as industry trends, expert advice and technician tips. With additional online form options, businesses can now submit more comprehensive service maintenance requests. The company added that there are also “updated imagery, features and content. EMR’s roots date back to 1927 in Baltimore, and the site reflects the growth of the brand today."

 

CHILD DIES AFTER RESIDENTIAL LIFT MISHAP IN DHAKA

A 10-year-old girl was pronounced dead after she was critically injured in a lift in a multistory residential building in the Shantinagar area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on March 29, the Dhaka Tribune reports. The source said the child became trapped in the lift door and was hit in the head when her family boarded the lift and it went up. The building contains 180 flats and is served by six elevators and three lift operators. The victim's family, as well as other residents, said the elevator's sensors were not working properly — an issue a building employee said he was unaware of.

 

JAPAN AIMS FOR FULL STEP-FREE ACCESS AT AIRPORTS, STATIONS

Looking ahead to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Japanese government aims to increase step-free access to 100% from 87.2% at facilities with more than 3,000 daily users by March 2021, Japan Today reports. Major train stations, bus terminals and airports will be the focus. Japan also aims to provide more low-floor buses and, according to the source, "create easily accessible environments and promote urban planning for them."

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn