LOW-FLOOR BUSES IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE - A REVIEW OF ISSUES

This paper discusses the issues of vehicle design, wheelchair securement and placement, and vehicle infrastructure interface, based on the lessons learned from the use of low-floor urban buses in North America and Europe. A literature review was conducted on the work of developers, manufacturers, and researchers in countries that play a leading role in the development and use of low-floor buses: the United States, France, Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom. It was found that opinions vary widely as to practices related to seating capacity, wheelchair securement and placement, occupant restraint, and operation. Vehicle design issues are discussed, including low-floor throughout versus stepped-up rear section; the number, location, and width of doors; seating capacity; layout; and location and width of doors. The concerns of wheelchair users - manoeuvrability, securement (front versus rear facing), and secured versus unsecured - are examined. Other challenges addressed include the vehicle infrastructure interface, particularly bus stop designs. The systems approach proposed by France, German and French curb designs, and Canadian bus stop guidelines are described.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0646361546
• Corporate Authors:

  Indomed Proprietary Limited

  144 Norwood Street
  Leaderville, Western Australia  Australia  6007
• Authors:
  • Rutenberg, U
  • PRENTICE, C
  • LING SUEN, S
• Conference:
  • 8th International Conference on Transport and Mobility for Elderly and Disabled People
  • Location: Perth , Australia
  • Date: 1998-9-0 to 1998-9-0
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 527-535
• Monograph Title: SETTING THE PACE. 8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, SEPTEMBER 1998. 2 VOLS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Conferences; Design; Equipment; Low floor vehicles; Passive restraint systems; Persons with disabilities
• Identifier Terms: Transed
• Subject Areas: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00961370
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0-646-36154-6
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 13 2003 12:00AM