Board Holds Town Meeting in Las Vegas October 30, 2006

The Board examined access   to double-decker buses and   other modes of public trans-   portation in Las Vegas.

The Board traveled to Las Vegas in September to hold a town meeting on accessibility and an information meeting specific to transportation vehicles. The town meeting focused on access issues of concern to the public and ways in which the Board’s various program areas, including rulemaking, technical assistance, and training, can be responsive to them. Citizens and representatives from various organizations called attention to issues concerning implementation of the ADA’s design standards, including enforcement, plans review, and training for designers and architects. Some of these concerns were raised in relation to Las Vegas, as well as to rural communities in Nevada. Participants also raised issues concerning accessibility to trails, sidewalks and bus stops, polling places, courthouses, and communication. Accessibility for people who are deaf and those with vision impairments were highlighted as areas meriting greater attention. In addition, a representative from the Passenger Vessel Association provided industry feedback on draft guidelines for passenger vessels that are currently available for public comment.

Information Meeting on Transportation Vehicles
Speakers at the information meeting on transportation vehicles included representatives from the National Center for Accessible Transportation and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. This meeting focused on recommendations that the Board should take into consideration in updating its ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles. Published in 1991, these guidelines address buses, vans, rail cars, and other modes of public transportation.

Commenters stressed the need to update the guidelines to address the growing range of mobility aids and assistive devices now on the market. Transit operators indicated that certain types of vehicles, boarding devices, and securement systems may not accommodate some newer types of mobility aids. Participants also urged the Board to examine access to new types of vehicles, including bus rapid transit, low floor buses, articulated buses, and street cars, as well as design innovations, including enclosed cabs and off-board fare devices. In particular, the Board was advised to revisit sections of the guidelines covering boarding devices, such as ramps, lifts, and bridge plates, boarding areas, securement systems and orientation, and mobility aid stowage. The Board held a similar meeting on the vehicle guidelines in Washington, D.C. in July. While in Las Vegas, the Board explored new types of vehicles available in the area, including a bus rapid transit system, double-decker buses, and a monorail.

Presenters:

• Dr. Joe Zaworski, National Center on Accessible Transportation
• Wayne Meissner, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
• Bob Highfill, Jacobs Civil Engineering
• Sandra Stanko, RTC
• Sue Joseph, RTC
• John Helm, Access Services, Los Angeles

Issues Raised:

• The definition of “common wheelchair” should be changed to include new technology (e.g., Segways) and to increase the size and weight because wheelchairs are getting bigger.
• Define a “transportable” wheelchair as able to pass through a 28-inch doorway and turn 90 degrees from a 30-inch corridor into a 30-inch corridor without backing up.
• The “footprint” of a common wheelchair should not be changed because the space available in a bus is limited and bus size is largely fixed by external constraints (e.g., lane width).
• Guidelines should require or encourage wheelchair manufacturers to comply with ANSI/RESNA WC 19 standard.
• With rear-facing securement, some conventional seats should also be rear-facing.
• Guidelines should clarify how to determine the maximum movement allowed for a secured wheelchair and at what point it's measured.
• Guidelines should more clearly define clear floor space for wheelchairs (e.g., a 48-inch long wheelchair will not fit in a 48-inch space).
• Clarify maneuvering space from entrance to securement location.
• If one wheelchair is on-board, maneuvering a second one into position is difficult.
• Guidelines should better address other disabilities, not just mobility aids.
• Address lighting and communication.
• Guidelines should address level boarding for buses.
• Guidelines should address bus rapid transit.
• Guidelines should be performance oriented rather than having specific requirements.
• Stanchions should be high contrast.
• Address stowage of walkers and other aids which are not secured.
• Continue current mode-specific format of the guidelines.

Previous Articles:

• Board’s September Meeting to Take Place in Las Vegas (8/31/06)
• Board Holds Meetings on Vehicles and Communication Access (8/29/06)