August 9, 2024

ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. (Head Office: Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, President: Tatsuyuki Isogawa) has recently added a new passenger boarding bridge, the “Barrier-free type” to its lineup. This new type features a gentler ramp for the tunnel expansion joint compared to the "Standard type", as well as a narrower width for the exposed gutter in the passageway, all aimed at promoting universal design and began sales on August 9, 2024.

ShinMaywa has introduced the "Full-flat type" with a ramp of "zero" specifications for the tunnel expansion joint in 2018, and in August 2024, we developed a "Barrier-free type." Currently, in line with airport concepts, customers can choose from three types: "Standard type," "Barrier-free type," and "Full-flat type."

The newly developed “Barrier-free type” has been designed with reference to the "Guidelines for Barrier-Free Development" established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, specifically the "Planning Materials for Airport Passenger Facilities that Everyone Can Use." The design aims to achieve both the concept of universal design, which ensures that "everyone can use it safely and comfortably with minimal effort," including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, and cost efficiency. Specifically, compared to the "Standard type", the ramp and step height of the tunnel expansion joint have been minimized, reducing the burden on pedestrians as well as those using wheelchairs or carrying suitcases. Additionally, in terms of cost, the number of parts has been reduced compared to the "Full-flat” type, thereby lowering both initial installation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the width of the exposed gutters on both sides, which drain rainwater that has entered the boarding bridge, has been minimized to one of the smallest classes^*1in Japan, enhancing safety by reducing the risk of tripping or losing balance for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

Just as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has established guidelines to promote the planning of "user-friendly" domestic airport facilities, our company is committed to contributing to the global advancement of universal design in airport facilities. Moving forward, we will continue to strive to develop boarding bridges that ensure safety and comfort for all users of airport facilities.

By keeping design changes from the “Standard type” to a minimum and revising the arrangement of various components, we have succeeded in minimizing the ramp and step height of the tunnel expansion joint to one of the smallest classes in the industry. This has reduced the burden on wheelchair users, the elderly, and those carrying suitcases.

To ensure a spacious passage width, we have reduced the width of the exposed gutters on both sides of the passage compared to the “Standard type”.   We implemented measures to minimize the intrusion of rainwater into the tunnel, and through repeated testing, we successfully developed an optimal structure that prevents overflow and splashing even with a narrower width. This has reduced the risk of tripping for pedestrians and losing balance for wheelchair users.

ShinMaywa equipped the “Fully-automatic docking system”, which features the world's first^*2"Aircraft Type Selection-Free" function developed in 2020, as well as the " Autonomous self-operating function" that was launched in 2023. By implementing these advanced barrier-free features, we can help address the labor shortage in airport facilities. 

​