Draft, Version 01July 29, 2011

ADA Working Group Charter

Working group Authorization

The ADA Working Group was authorized and established within the Technical committee of the PRIIA Next Generation Equipment Committee, on July 14, 2011, with the purpose of reviewing the current and future needs of rail passengers with disabilities, and making recommendations on how best to address those needs in the most cost-effective and reasonable manner.

Working Group Team Lead

Melissa Shurland, Program Manager, Federal Railroad Administration

Members

Name / Organization / Email / Telephone
Josh Coran / Talgo, Inc /
Bryce Dudgeon / Siemens, Mobility Division / / 916-681-3039
Calvin Gibson / Federal Railroad Administration / / 202-493-6010
Melissa Goeren / Southco / / 321-638-1731
Rosanne Goodwill / Federal Railroad Administration / / 202-493-6012
Jeffrey Gordon / Volpe Center / / 617-494-2303
Dharm Guruswamy / Federal Railroad Administration / / 202-493-6378
Katherine Hunter-Zaworski** / FRA/Oregon State University / / 541-737-4982
Tak Ishigami / Kawasaki Rail Car /
Curtis McDowell / NCDOT /
John Pannone / EAO Switch Corporation / / 203-951-4625
Allan Paul / North Carolina DOT / / 919-733-7245 x 246
Uwe Rutenberg** / FRA/Oregon State University /
Melissa Shurland / Federal Railroad Administration / / 202-493-1316
Ken Takeda / Kawasaki Rail Car /
Graciela Trillanes / GE Transportation / / 814-875-3803
Mike Trosino / Amtrak / / 215-349-3133
Cesar Vergara / Vergara Studio / / 203-244-5309
David Warner / Amtrak / / 302-661-6971
Andrew M. Wood / Amtrak / / 215-349-1882

** FRA contractors

The role of Oregon State University (FRA Contractors) is assist the working group in developing the requirements and specifications for accessibility of passenger rail equipment, through their knowledge and experience regarding current practices for accessibility in passenger rail and transit bus operations.

Working Group Goals

Development of requirements and specifications to meet the current and projected needs of passengers with disabilities.

Working Group Priorities

The priorities of the Working Group will focus on developing requirements and specifications for accessibility of the next generation of passenger rail equipmentby defining the following, at a minimum:

  • Definition of a modern mobility aid (size, weight)
  • Nominal design loads for mobility aid lifts and ramps
  • Accessibleseating location
  • Maneuverability (turning radii at accessible locations, vestibules, restrooms, sleeping compartments, aisle width)
  • Restrooms (door width, transfer space (independent and dependent), power assisted doors)
  • Obesity considerations
  • On-board visual and audio passenger information
  • Service animals (space within coach seating area)

Proposed Overall Approach

  1. Identify and reach out to all stakeholders
  2. Identify relevant source documents, regulations, standards and statutes.
  3. Identify catalogue and review solutions/accommodations in passenger rail and rail transit here and around the world (as appropriate)
  4. Develop projection of future requirements (in coordination with appropriate stakeholders)
  5. Submit requirements recommendations to the Executive Board for approval
  6. Work with appropriate Technical Working groups under the Technical Subcommittee to develop technical specifications to meet approved requirements
  7. Identify and recommend potential items for standardization

Identified Stakeholders/Role

  • PRIIA Executive Committee: Review and approval of final requirement and specification documents addressing accessibility for the next generation of passenger rail equipment.
  • FRA Office of Civil Rights: Ensure the developed requirements and specifications for accessibility for the next generation of passenger rail equipment do not violate existing ADA rules, or DOT/FRA’s ADA policy. Act as liaison with US Access Board and Office of the Secretary of Transportation for the ADA Working Group.
  • US Access Board: Developed groundwork for current ADA rule.
  • State DOTs: Purchasers/Lessees of next generation passenger rail equipment.
  • Amtrak: Purchaser/Lessee/Operator of next generation passenger rail equipment.
  • Equipment Manufacturer: Manufacturer’s of next generation passenger rail equipment.

Deliverables

The end product of the effort of this working group will be a white paper recommending accessibility requirements and specifications to address the needs of passengers with disabilities.

Estimated Schedule

The final recommendations for accessibility for passenger rail equipment from Oregon State University are due to FRA April 26, 2012. It is the intent of FRA to present the developed requirements and specifications for accessibility for passenger rail equipment to the Technical Subcommittee by January 31, 2012

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