Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles

Name: Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles

Identifier: 81 FR 90600

Issuing Organisation: United States Access Board

Country: United States of America

Language: English

Organization website (opens in new window): http://www.access-board.gov/

Link to standard (opens in new window): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/14/2016-28867/americans-with-disabilities-act-ada-accessibility-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles

Availability: Free to Access

Type: Guidelines

Issue Year: 2017

Forward Review Date: Not known

Fields: Travel, Transport, and Mobility 

Intended Audiences: Private Sector Bodies, Professional and Trade Bodies, and Governmental and Public Sector Bodies

Abstract:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) charges the Access Board with responsibility for the development of minimum guidelines aimed at ensuring the accessibility and usability of transportation vehicles, including buses, over-the-road buses (OTRBs), and vans. See 29 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. 12204, 12149(b); see also 792(b)(3)(B) & (b)(10) (authorizing Access Board to “establish and maintain” minimum guidelines for standards issued pursuant to titles II and III of the ADA). These guidelines, once adopted by DOT, become enforceable standards. In 1991, the Access Board issued accessibility guidelines for ADA-covered transportation vehicles (including buses, vans, and fixed guideway systems), and amended these guidelines in 1998 to include accessibility requirements for OTRBs.[1] Given the passage of nearly two decades, the existing guidelines are in need of a “refresh” for two primary reasons: To incorporate new accessibility-related technologies, such as automated announcement systems and level boarding bus systems, and to ensure that the agency’s transportation vehicle guidelines remain consistent with its other regulations that have been issued since 1998. See, e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines), 36 CFR part 1191, apps. A-D. The final rule modifies only the existing guidelines for buses, vans, and OTRBs; the current guidelines for transportation vehicles operated in fixed guideway systems (e.g., rapid rail, light rail, commuter rail, and intercity rail) will be updated in a future rulemaking. Compliance with the final rule is not required until DOT adopts these revised guidelines as enforceable accessibility standards for ADA-covered buses, OTRBs, and vans.

Relevance to Active and Healthy Ageing:

Older Person Specific: No

Usage / Adoption status: Pending review by the U.S. Department of Transportation

Comments: