Appendix to Part 38 - Guidance Material
49:1.0.1.1.28.8.43.6.27 :
Appendix to Part 38 - Guidance Material
This appendix contains materials of an advisory nature and
provides additional information that should help the reader to
understand the minimum requirements of the standards or to design
vehicles for greater accessibility. Each entry is applicable to all
subparts of this part except where noted. Nothing in this appendix
shall in any way obviate any obligation to comply with the
requirements of the standards themselves.
I. Slip Resistant Surface - Aisles, Steps, Floor Areas Where People
Walk, Floor Areas in Securement Locations, Lift Platforms, Ramps
Slip resistance is based on the frictional force necessary to
keep a shoe heel or crutch tip from slipping on a walking surface
under conditions likely to be found on the surface. While the
dynamic coefficient of friction during walking varies in a complex
and non-uniform way, the static coefficient of friction, which can
be measured in several ways, provides a close approximation of the
slip resistance of a surface. Contrary to popular belief, some
slippage is necessary to walking, especially for persons with
restricted gaits; a truly “non-slip” surface could not be
negotiated.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends
that walking surfaces have a static coefficient of friction of 0.5.
A research project sponsored by the Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) conducted
tests with persons with disabilities and concluded that a higher
coefficient of friction was needed by such persons. A static
coefficient of friction of 0.6 is recommended for steps, floors,
and lift platforms and 0.8 for ramps.
It is recognized that the coefficient of friction varies
considerably due to the presence of contaminants, water, floor
finishes, and other factors not under the control of transit
providers and may be difficult to measure. Nevertheless, many
common materials suitable for flooring are now labeled with
information on the static coefficient of friction. While it may not
be possible to compare one product directly with another, or to
guarantee a constant measure, transit operators or vehicle
designers and manufacturers are encouraged to specify materials
with appropriate values. As more products include information on
slip resistance, improved uniformity in measurement and
specification is likely. The Access Board's advisory guidelines on
Slip Resistant Surfaces provides additional information on this
subject.
II. Color Contrast - Step Edges, Lift Platform Edges
The material used to provide contrast should contrast by at
least 70%. Contrast in percent is determined by:
Contrast=[B−B)/B] × 100 Where B = light reflectance value (LRV) of
the lighter area and B = light reflectance value (LRV) of the
darker area. Note that in any application both white and black are
never absolute; thus, B never equals 100 and B is always greater
than 0. III. Handrails and Stanchions
In addition to the requirements for handrails and stanchions for
rapid, light, and commuter rail vehicles, consideration should be
given to the proximity of handrails or stanchions to the area in
which wheelchair or mobility aid users may position themselves.
When identifying the clear floor space where a wheelchair or
mobility aid user can be accommodated, it is suggested that at
least one such area be adjacent or in close proximity to a handrail
or stanchion. Of course, such a handrail or stanchion cannot
encroach upon the required 32 inch width required for the doorway
or the route leading to the clear floor space which must be at
least 30 by 48 inches in size.
IV. Priority Seating Signs and Other Signage
A. Finish and Contrast. The characters and background of
signs should be eggshell, matte, or other non-glare finish. An
eggshell finish (11 to 19 degree gloss on 60 degree glossimeter) is
recommended. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their
background - either light characters on a dark background or dark
characters on a light background. Research indicates that signs are
more legible for persons with low vision when characters contrast
with their background by at least 70 percent. Contrast in percent
shall be determined by:
Contrast=[B−B)/B] × 100 Where B = light reflectance value (LRV) of
the lighter area and B = light reflectance value (LRV) of the
darker area. Note that in any application both white and black are
never absolute; thus, B never equals 100 and B is always greater
than 0.
The greatest readability is usually achieved through the use of
light-colored characters or symbols on a dark background.
B. Destination and Route Signs. (The following
specifications, which are required for buses (§ 38.39), are
recommended for other types of vehicles, particularly light rail
vehicles, were appropriate.)
1. Where destination or route information is displayed on the
exterior of a vehicle, each vehicle shall have illuminated signs on
the front and boarding side of the vehicle.
2. Characters on signs required by paragraph IV.B.1 of this
appendix shall have a width-to-height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1 and
a stroke width-to-height ratio between 1:5 and 1:10, with a minimum
character height (using an upper case “X”) of 1 inch for signs on
the boarding side and a minimum character height of 2 inches for
front “headsigns,” with “wide” spacing (generally, the space
between letters shall be 1/16 the height of upper case letters),
and shall contrast with the background, either dark-on-light or
light-on-dark, or as recommended above.
C. Designation of Accessible Vehicles. The International
Symbol of Accessibility should be displayed as shown in Figure
6.
V. Public Information Systems
Entities are encouraged to employ any available services,
signage, or alternative systems or devices that are capable of
providing the same or equivalent information to persons with
hearing loss. Two possible types of devices are visual display
systems and listening systems. However, it should be noted that
while visual display systems accommodate persons who are deaf or
are hearing impaired, assistive listening systems aid only those
with a partial loss of hearing.
A. Visual Display Systems. Announcements may be provided
in a visual format by the use of electronic message boards or video
monitors.
Electronic message boards using a light emitting diode (LED) or
“flip-dot” display are currently provided in some transit stations
and terminals and may be usable in vehicles. These devices may be
used to provide real time or pre-programmed messages; however, real
time message displays require the availability of an employee for
keyboard entry of the information to be announced.
Video monitor systems, such as visual paging systems provided in
some airports (e.g., Baltimore-Washington International Airport),
are another alternative. The Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) can provide technical
assistance and information on these systems (“Airport TDD Access:
Two Case Studies,” (1990)).
B. Assistive Listening Systems. Assistive listening
systems (ALS) are intended to augment standard public address and
audio systems by providing signals which can be received directly
by persons with special receivers or their own hearing aids and
which eliminate or filter background noise. Magnetic induction
loops, infra-red and radio frequency systems are types of listening
systems which are appropriate for various applications.
An assistive listening system appropriate for transit vehicles,
where a group of persons or where the specific individuals are not
known in advance, may be different from the system appropriate for
a particular individual provided as an auxiliary aid or as part of
a reasonable accommodation. The appropriate device for an
individual is the type that individual can use, whereas the
appropriate system for a station or vehicle will necessarily be
geared toward the “average” or aggregate needs of various
individuals. Earphone jacks with variable volume controls can
benefit only people who have slight hearing loss and do not help
people who use hearing aids. At the present time, magnetic
induction loops are the most feasible type of listening system for
people who use hearing aids equipped with “T-coils”, but people
without hearing aids or those with hearing aids not equipped with
inductive pick-ups cannot use them without special receivers. Radio
frequency systems can be extremely effective and inexpensive.
People without hearing aids can use them, but people with hearing
aids need a special receiver to use them as they are presently
designed. If hearing aids had a jack to allow a by-pass of
microphones, then radio frequency systems would be suitable for
people with and without hearing aids. Some listening systems may be
subject to interference from other equipment and feedback from
hearing aids of people who are using the systems. Such interference
can be controlled by careful engineering design that anticipates
feedback sources in the surrounding area.
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
(Access Board) has published a pamphlet on Assistive Listening
Systems which lists demonstration centers across the country where
technical assistance can be obtained in selecting and installing
appropriate systems. The State of New York has also adopted a
detailed technical specification which may be useful.
VI. Over-the-Road Buses
A. Door Width. Achieving a 30 inch wide front door on an
over-the-road bus is considered not feasible if doing so would
necessitate reduction of the bus approach angle, relocating the
front axle rearward, or increasing the bus overall length.
B. Restrooms. The following is provided to assist
manufacturers and designers to create restrooms which can be used
by people with disabilities. These specifications are derived from
requirements for rail vehicles and represent compromises between
space needed for use and constraints imposed by vehicle dimensions.
As a result, some persons with disabilities cannot use a restroom
which meets these specifications and operators who do provide such
restrooms should provide passengers with disabilities sufficient
advance information about design so that those passengers can
assess their ability to use them. Designers should provide
additional space beyond these minimum specifications whenever
possible.
(1) If an accessible restroom is provided, it should be designed
so as to allow a person using a wheelchair or mobility aid to enter
and use such restroom as specified in paragraphs (1)(a) through (e)
of section VI.B of this appendix.
(a) The minimum clear floor area should be 35 inches (890 mm) by
60 inches (1525 mm). Permanently installed fixtures may overlap
this area a maximum of 6 inches (150 mm), if the lowest portion of
the fixture is a minimum of 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor, and
may overlap a maximum of 19 inches (485 mm), if the lowest portion
of the fixture is a minimum of 29 inches (740 mm) above the floor,
provided such fixtures do not interfere with access to the water
closet. Fold-down or retractable seats or shelves may overlap the
clear floor space at a lower height provided they can be easily
folded up or moved out of the way.
(b) The height of the water closet should be 17 inches (430 mm)
to 19 inches (485 mm) measured to the top of the toilet seat. Seats
should not be sprung to return to a lifted position.
(c) A grab bar at least 24 inches (610 mm) long should be
mounted behind the water closet, and a horizontal grab bar at least
40 inches (1015 mm) long should be mounted on at least one side
wall, with one end not more than 12 inches (305 mm) from the back
wall, at a height between 33 inches (840 mm) and 36 inches (915 mm)
above the floor.
(d) Faucets and flush controls should be operable with one hand
and should not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the
wrist. The force required to activate controls should be no greater
than 5 lbs (22.2 N). Controls for flush valves should be mounted no
more than 44 inches (1120 mm) above the floor.
(e) Doorways on the end of the enclosure, opposite the water
closet, should have a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches (815
mm). Door latches and hardware should be operable with one hand and
should not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the
wrist.
(2) Accessible restrooms should be in close proximity to at
least one seating location for persons using mobility aids and
should be connected to such a space by an unobstructed path having
a minimum width of 32 inches (815 mm).
C. Visibility Through a Window. Care should be taken so
that the lift does not obscure the vision of the person occupying
the securement position.
[56 FR 45756, Sept. 6, 1991, as amended at 63 FR 51702, 51703,
Sept. 28, 1998; 79 FR 21407, Apr. 16, 2014]
[56 FR 45756,
Sept. 6, 1991, as amended at 63 FR 51700, 51703, Sept. 28, 1998]