ACCESSIBILITY APPROACHES FOR LOW FLOOR LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES

The Low Floor Light Rail Vehicle solves several accessibility problems, but leaves unresolved the issue of access for patrons in wheelchairs and similar mobility devices. Ideally, car door threshold-to-platform distances and floor heights could be held within the regulatory limits, and mechanical devices would be unnecessary. However, this situation may not be realistic. This paper reviews the regulations applicable to low floor LRV access, considers the factors that affect compliance with the requirements, including platform construction, vehicle characteristics, and door systems and discusses the viability of different approaches. The paper concludes with a description of two accessibility devices being supplied for North American LRV systems.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transportation Association

  1201 New York Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC    20005
• Authors:
  • Pearson, J R
• Conference:
  • 1997 Rapid Transit Conference of the American Public Transit Association. Volume 1 - Planning, Operations, Safety and Transit Management
  • Location: Washington, DC
  • Date: 1997-6-8 to 1997-6-12
• Publication Date: 1997-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 60-65

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Compliance; Light rail vehicles; Low floor vehicles; Mobility; Persons with disabilities; Quality of service; Vehicle characteristics
• Identifier Terms: Americans with Disabilities Act
• Old TRIS Terms: Disabled people
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Society; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00747563
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 15 1998 12:00AM