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Signage Subcommittee

Conference Call – February 27, 2014

Agenda

1. Introductions

2. Report on February 13 conference call

3. Review sub-committee scope and Objectives (See Below)*

4. Continue categorizing types of signs that apply to each category of 

rail vehicle. See list at end of this document. **

4.1 Way-finding

4.2 Information

4.3 Emergency

4.4 Features/Amenities

5. Discussion: 

5.1 “What is an accessible sign?”

5.2 “Which signs should be accessible?”

5.3 Audible, Visual, Braille, Raised Letters

5.4 Sanitation considerations

5.5 Knowing where the accessible sign is located and how to 

access it

6. Public Comments

7. Determine date of next conference call

8. Closing remarks

* Item 3 (above)

For your convenience, the subcommittee’s scope and objectives are 

included below.

Draft: Rail Vehicle Access Advisory Committee

Subcommittee on Signage

Scope: Review the current requirements for accessible signage in the 

Access Board’s Rail Vehicle Accessibility Guidelines. 

Objective: Recommend proposed revisions to the guidelines as may be 

necessary and appropriate to update, improve or expand the scoping and 

technical criteria in order to ensure an acceptable level of access for 
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individuals with disabilities, particularly those who have low vision or who 

are blind.

Purpose: The Access Board’s rail vehicle accessibility guidelines were 

issued in September, 1991. The provisions for signs have not been 

updated since that time. It is appropriate to review the guidelines to

determine if updates and improvements are needed to: 

 ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities who 

travel in rail vehicles; 

 address changes in the rail environment related to signage; and

 acknowledge new technologies and methods for conveying visual 

information presented on signs in accessible formats. 

Timetable: Complete the study and recommendations no later than May

2014, for consideration by the full committee.

** Item 4

This is the list we worked from during the last conference call. 

Wayfinding signs e.g., directional signs such as those indicating the 

location of a dining or café car.

 Location of exit doors (e.g. ends of cars, center of cars). RC

 Location of amenities (e.g. restrooms, tables, café). RC

 Location of emergency equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers, exit 

windows). RC

 Location of w/c accessible seating positions. RC

 Station Maps. ES

 Route Maps. ES

 Schedules and Timetables. ES

 Emergency Exit. BS EH

 Stairs. BS

 WC location. EH
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Designations e.g., room or seat signs.

 Exterior of car, adjacent to entry/exit doors, car number, suggest 

raised character/Braille. MG

 Exterior of car, adjacent to entry/exit doors, specialty car 

identification; business car, first class, quiet car, private car, etc., 

suggest raised character/Braille. MG

 VMS sign Name/designation of the train. RC

 VMS sign Name/designation of ultimate destination if different than 

Name/designation of the train. RC

 Room or seat signs. SR AG BS

 Rest Room/ Bathroom - male, female , unisex and ISA pictograms 

SR AG BS

Informational signs (non-emergency) e.g., rule of conduct or 

instruction such as “no smoking”, “no cell phones” or “How to Use”.

 Accessible Emergency call box in vestibule, raised character/Braille 

signage for a dual mode device (audio/visual) that enables a 

passenger or crew to let the engineer know a person with a disability 

wants to get off the train. I realize this is a communication device and 

not just a sign but there would need to be accessible signage 

denoting the location and function; suggest raised character/Braille 

signage for a device that has audio and visual capability. MG

 Accessible call box at accessible seat locations, raised 

character/Braille for a dual mode device (audio/visual) that enables a 

passenger to signal the crew that the passenger needs some type of 

assistance. I realize this is also a communication device and not just 

a sign but there would need to be accessible signage denoting the 

location and function; suggest raised character/Braille signage for a 

device that has audio and visual capability. MG

 Seat signage for recline, foot rest, etc. Suggest raised 

character/pictogram/Braille signage on each feature; button/lever to 

recline seat, button/lever to extend foot rest, etc. MG

 VMS sign Time of the day. RC

 VMS sign Timeliness of the run. RC
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 VMS sign Which cars/doors will be on the platform (usable) if not all 

doors will be. RC

 Advertising signs. ES 

 Art projects. ES

 Automated door labels ES EH

 Hazard warnings ES 

 Access control (employees only, no exit, no admittance). ES

 Car Number. SR

 No passage except in emergency (used on car end doors). SR

 Stop – Do not open emergency use only (car end doors). SR

 Do not lean on doors (typically used on side doors). SR

 No Smoking, Eating , Drinking, Radios (pictograms. SR

 Priority Seating Sign. SR

 International Symbol of Accessibility. SR

 Between Car Safety (used at end doors). SR

 No Smoking. SR

 Watch the Gap. SR AG EH

 Watch Your Step. SR AG EH

 Door Open Direction (with an arrow). SR

 Door Disabled When Flashing, SR

 Door Closing Warning Light. SR

 FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THESE SEATS BE MADE 

AVAILABLE... AG

 FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THIS AREA BE MADE ... AG

 INDUCTIVE LOOP LOGO. AG

 DO NOT SIT ON BIKE RACK. AG

 BIKE AREA / SUBJECT TO T.A. RULES. AG

 DO NOT HOLD DOORS. AG

 PULL HANDLE. AG 

 LOCKED / UNLOCKED. AG

 DANGER DO NOT BOARD MOVING TRAIN. AG EH

 DANGER DO NOT GET OFF MOVING TRAIN. AG

 FARE POLICY. AG
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 PLEASE DISCARD HAND TOWELS. AG

 PLEASE DO NOT THROW TRASH IN TOILET. AG

 TRASH/ recycling. AG BS

 PLEASE KEEP FEET OFF SEAT. AG

 IT IS A VIOLATION.... AG

 FOR YOU OWN SAFETY.... AG

 FULLY EQUIPPED FRA TYPE II GLAZING 

 DOOR CLOSING WHEN LIGHT BLINKS. AG

 FLUSH LEVER. AG

 DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. AG

 CLOSE LID BEFORE FLUSHING. AG

 CAUTION DOOR CLOSES AUTOMATICALLY. AG EH

 PASSENGER INFORMATION.... AG

 NO TRASH. AG

 BICYCLE TIE-DOWN PROCEDURE. AG

 NO PANHANDLING. AG

 NO LOUD MUSIC. AG

 NO EATING OR DRINKING. AG

 DO NOT STAND BETWEEN CARS. AG

 DO NOT BLOCK DOOR. AG

 WARNING: YOUR PICTURE MAY BE RECORDED ON THIS 

VEHICLE. AG

 INSTRUCTIONS FOR MANUAL OPERATION.... AG

 PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES.... AG

 Caution signs. BS

 Assistance signs. BS

 Do Not Enter. BS

 Pinch Point. BS

 Accessible Space Designation. BS

 Priority Seat instructions. EH

 Bicycle Tie down Instructions. EH

 Door closing when light blinks. EH
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Informational signs (emergency and warnings and cautions ) e.g. exit 

signs, emergency procedures, emergency instructions.

 VMS Real Time emergency information, providing the same 

information in text that audible announcements provide. These 

announcements should include the type of emergency (e.g., power 

outage, weather emergency). LH

 VMS Real Time Information regarding how passengers need to 

respond, e.g., stay in place or exit, if exiting, where to go. LH

 Fire Extinguisher and Pry Bar. SR EH

 Emergency Equipment. SR

 Fire Extinguisher. SR

 Emergency Only, Push to Talk (on passenger emergency intercom) . 

SR

 Emergency Door Slide to Open. SR

 Emergency Exit. SR AG

 Emergency Exit Door. SR AG

 Emergency Window Exit (mounted on ceiling with and arrow to 

indicate the side of the car the window is on). SR

 Emergency Exit and Window Removal decal (pictogram and text) . 

SR AG

 Emergency Brake Valve. SR

 Passenger Emergency Intercom. SR AG

 Exit sign (on side door, HPPL material). SR

 Emergency Door Open instructions (a the emergency door release 

handle) . SR

 Onboard Train Emergency Instructions. SR

 MANUAL DOOR RELEASE. AG

 EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT. AG

 LADDER AND PLANK. AG

 Exit signs. BS (designation? JP)

 Brake Emergency Use Only. EH

Operational signs or labels (non-emergency) e.g., signs or pictograms 

labeling light switches or ventilation controls.
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 Priority seating. Suggest raised character/pictogram/Braille signage. 

Note; located at all priority seating locations, clear space for occupied 

wheeled mobility device, transfer seats, clear space for unoccupied 

stowed wheeled mobility device. MG

 VMS Prerecorded Indication regarding which side of the train the 

doors will open for the immediate stop. LH

 Stop Request activators, crew call activators. RC

 Door lock instructions. BS

 Climate control. BS

 Towels. BS

 Flush. BS

 Handrail. BS

 Push to Open. BS

 Drinking water, ice, Cups, Soap, Toilet paper. BS

 Do not open door or window. BS

 Manual operations for automatic doors instructions. EH

Operational signs (emergency) e.g., signs providing instructions for 

operating emergency escape windows and hatches.

 EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS POSTER. AG BS EH

 WINDOW REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS. AG EH

 EXTER. EMERGENCY DOOR. AG

 EMERGENCY DOOR INSTRUCTIONS. AG EH

 BRAKE, EMERGENCY USE ONLY. AG

 PULL DOWN HANDLE TO RELEASE DOORS. AG

 Evacuation Instructions. SR

 Fire extinguisher instructions. EH

 Passenger Emergency Intercom Instructions. EH

Stop identification signs, (on-board the vehicle) Route and 

Destination.

 variable message signs (VMS) must be a compliment to audio 

announcement system, VMS to display visual vehicle information 

including; stop announcements, time before next stop, could also 

display elevator outage at a specific station location, or other station 
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specific information, etc. and as a result, must be sized appropriately 

given a specific sign height above finished floor, minimum character 

height/font size/type, number of lines of information provided (usually 

1-2 lines), scroll speed, contrast, number of VMS per car, location in 

car (ends only?), etc. MG

 VMS Prerecorded Train route and destination. LH

 VMS Prerecorded Current train information: Station stop – the stop 

just passed, current station stop, upcoming stops to the end of the 

line. LH

 VMS sign Name/designation of the next station-stop. RC

 Interior dynamic destination sign (typically on low to high ceiling 

header and on end bulkheads). SR

 Interior dynamic system map. SR

Menus and directories e.g., café menus posted on walls.

 Menus. BS

Employee signs not intended for riders.

 Various Cutout Cocks. SR

 CAR WEIGHT. AG

 CAR NUMBER. AG

 DOOR ID. AG

 VEHICLE END. AG 

 PTE RECEPTACLE. AG

 FIRE EXTINGUISHER. AG

 HORN CUT OUT. AG

 ELECTRIC LOCKER. AG

 HIGH VOLTAGE. AG

 MANUAL BRAKE CUTOUT. AG

 MANUAL BRAKE CUTOUT INSTRUCTIONS... AG

 EQUIPMENT ID. AG

 Glazing notice. EH
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Rail Vehicle Sign Categories applying the ADA Building Standard

Category Tactile & 

Visual

Visual VMS Not 

Required

Rail Type

Directional Signs (includes directional 

Exit Signs)*

X

Designation Signs for Spaces (includes 

Exit Signs)

X

Designation Signs for Elements X

Non-Emergency Informational Signs* X

Non-Emergency Operational Signs* X

Emergency Informational Signs* X

Emergency Operational Signs* X

Caution and Safety Signs (includes 

icons and logos)

X

Stop Identification Signs (includes 

train designation, route, and final 

destination)**

X

Menus and Directories X

Employee Only Signs* X

R = Rapid Rail, L = Light Rail, C = Commuter Rail, I = Intercity Rail, A = Automated Guideway, H = HighSpeed Rail, T = Trams

*Applies to signs that provide direction to or information about interior spaces and facilities

**Covered in the requirements for buses at 49 CFR 38.39 (this is a pared down version of the Visual 

requirements in the Building Standard.