Universal Design

About the construction process

RSL collaborated with the Norwegian Association of Disabled Persons during the entire building process to make the airport user-friendly for the physically impaired.

They participated in our own meetings in order to help us design solutions for airport mobility for disabled persons.

We would never have been capable of doing this without their help.

These solutions are summed up below.

Solutions for the terminal building

• All floor areas are constructed with guide lights laid in the floor tiles to assist the weak-sighted and blind find their way to counters, check-in, toilets, and airport facilities.
• Signs were made with the visually impaired in mind.
• Service counters for check-in are specially designed so that wheelchair users do not arrive at a high counter, but have their own lower counter integrated into the public service desks.
• We have reserved parking areas especially for handicapped parking at spots closest to the entry door in the parking garage. Of course, the use of these for automobiles with handicap parking permits is free of charge. There will also be short-term parking outside for vehicles with handicapped permits, located right in front of the terminal building.
• We have established a separate room inside the terminal building where one can park ones private wheelchair while travelling. There is also a bench in this room to rest on, and washroom facilities.
• We have installed an elevator inside the terminal building just beside the escalator and normal stairway, so that wheelchair users can follow the normal passenger flow to and through the security check area.
• When a physically impaired passenger is inside the travel zone within the airport (the security zone), all airport design functions will assure that these persons and wheelchair users needs for mobility in the terminal area are cared for.
• There are a large number of toilets in the travel zone, and public areas adapted for handicap use.

Solutions established for entering and exiting the airplanes

• When a handicapped passenger arrives at the check-in desk (gate), two possible arrangements can be made for entering planes: Those who wish can take the stair down to the airplane area, while those who need to use the elevator may us that. There are 3 elevators servicing the departure area.
• There will be no need for physically handicapped passengers to be carried into the airplanes at Moss Airport Rygge, which is relatively common at other airports of this size around the world. We have chosen to invest funds to purchase and install a special lift that raises the physically impaired up into the airplane entryway. This lift has been ordered, and is of the highest quality for this type of machine in Europe today. The lift has a roof and wall barriers so that one enters the airplane safely, without having to be carried around.
• Inside the airplane, the cabin personnel have been trained to place these passengers in their seats, and care for correct onboard placement. What is to happen when the passenger arrives at the destination, we do not know anything about. Still, we are hoping to start discussions with most of the airports where we have trafficked routes to ensure a comfortable travel experience for all passengers, both to and from our new airport at Rygge.

In general

We will work toward all airport employees understanding and caring about all passenger needs, so that you will feel especially welcome at our airport. We are always open to hear your tips for improvements.