## Subpart C

— Rapid Rail Vehicles and Systems

**§38.53 Doorw**  **ays. (a)**  **Clear width**

. (1) Passenger doorways on vehicle sides shall have clear openings at least 32 inches wide when open. (2) If doorways connecting adjoining cars in a multi

- car train are provided, and if such doorway is connected by an aisle with a minimum clear width of 30 inches to one or more spaces where wheelchair or mobility aid users can be accommodated, then such doorway shall have a minimum clear opening of 30 inches to permit whe elchair and mobility aid users to be evacuated to an adjoining vehicle in an em ergency
. (b) Signage. The International Symb ol of Accessibility shall be displayed on the exterior of accessible vehicles operating on an accessible rapid rail system unless all vehicles are accessible and are not marked by the access symb ol. (See Fig. 6.) (c) Signals. Auditory and visual warning signals shall be provided to alert passengers of closing doors. **( d)**  **Coordination with boarding platform**

— (1) Requirements. Wh ere new vehicles will operate in new stations, the design of vehicles shall be coordinated with the boarding platform design such that the horizontal gap between each vehicle door at rest and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches and the height of the vehicle floor shall be within plus or minus 5 ⁄ 8 inch of the platform height under all normal passenger load conditions. Vertical alignment may be accomplished by vehicle air suspension or other suitable means of meeting the requirement. (2) Except

ion. New vehicles operating in existing stations may have a floor height within plus or mi nus 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches of the platform height. At key stations, the horizontal gap between at least one door of each such vehicle and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches. (3) Exception. Retrofitted vehicles shall be coordinated with the platform in new and key stations such that the horizontal gap shall be no greater than 4 inches and the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, shall be within plus or minus 2 inches of the platform height.


## Subpart D

— Light Rail Vehicles and Systems **§38.73 Doorways.**  **(a) Clear width** 

— (1) All passenger doorways on vehicle sides shall have minimum clear openings of 32 inches when open. (2) If doorways connecting adjoini ng cars in a multi

- car train are provided, and if such doorway is connected by an aisle with a minimum clear width of 30 inches to one or more spaces where wheelchair or mobility aid users can be accommodated, then such doorway shall have a minimum clear o pening of 30 inches to permit wheelchair and mobility aid users to be evacuated to an adjoining vehicle in an em ergency
.(b) Signage. The International Symb ol of Accessibility shall be displayed on the exterior of each

vehicle operating on an accessible li ght rail system unless all vehicles are accessible and are not marked by the access symb ol (see fig. 6). (c) Signals. Auditory and visual warning signals shall be provided to alert passengers of closing doors. **(d) Coordination with boarding platform** 

— (1) Re quirements. The design of level

- entry vehicles shall be coordinated with the boarding platform or mini

- high platform design so that the horizontal gap between a vehicle at rest and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches and the height of the vehicl e floor shall be within plus or minus 5 ⁄ 8 inch of the platform height. Vertical alignment may be accomplished by vehicle air suspension, automatic ramps or lifts, or any combination. (2) Exception. New vehicles operating in existing stations may have a floor height within plus or mi nus 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches of the platform height. At key stations, the horizontal gap between at least one door of each such vehicle and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inc hes. (3) Exception. Retrofitted vehicles shall be coordinated with the platform in new and key stations such that the horizontal gap shall be no greater than 4 inches and the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, shall be within plus or mi nus 2 inches of the platform height. (4) Exception. Wh ere it is not operationally or structurally practicable to meet the horizontal or vertical requirements of paragraphs (d) (1), (2) or (3) of this section, platform or vehicle devices complying with §38. 83(b) or platform or vehicle mounted ramps or bridge plates complying with §38.83(c) shall be provided. **§38.83 Mobility aid accessibility.**  (a)(1) General. All new light rail vehicles, other than level entry vehicles , covered by this subpart shall provide a level

- change mechanism or boarding device (e.g., lift, ramp or bridge plate) complying with either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section and sufficient clearances to permit at least two wheelchair or mobility aid users to reach areas, each with a minimum clear floor space of 48 inches by 30 inches, which do not unduly restrict passenger flow. Space to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids may be provided within the normal area used by standees and designation of specific spaces is not required. (2) Exception. If lifts, ramps or bridge plates meeting the requirements of this section are provided on station platforms or other stops required to be accessible, or mini

- high platforms complying with §38.73(d) of this part are provided, the vehicle is not req uired to be equipped with a car

- borne device. Wh ere each new vehicle is compatible with a single platform

- mounted access system or device, additional systems or devices are not required for each vehicle provided that the single device could be used to prov ide access to each new vehicle if passengers using wheelchairs or mobility aids could not be accommodated on a single vehicle. **(b) Vehicle lift** 

— (1) Design load. The design load of the lift shall be at least 600 pounds. W orking parts, such as cables, pulleys, and shafts, which can be expected to wear, and upon which the lift depends for support of the load, shall have a safety factor of at least six, based on the ultimate strength of the material. Nonworking parts, such as platform, frame, and attachment hardware which would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at least three, based on the ultimate strength of the ma terial. (2) Controls

— (i) Requirements. The controls shall be interlocked with the vehicle brakes, propulsion system, or door, o r shall provide other appropriate mechanisms or systems, to ensure that the vehicle cannot be moved when the lift is not stowed and so the lift cannot be deployed unless the interlocks or systems are engaged. The lift shall deploy to all levels (i.e., grou nd, curb, and intermediate positions)normally encountered in the operating environment. W here provided, each control for deploying, lowering,

raising, and stowing the lift and lowering the roll

- off barrier shall be of a momentary contact type requiring co ntinuous manual pressure by the operator and shall not allow improper lift sequencing when the lift platform is occupied. The controls shall allow reversal of the lift operation sequence, such as raising or lowering a platform that is part way down, withou t allowing an occupied platform to fold or retract into the stowed position. (ii) Exception. Wh ere physical or safety constraints prevent the deploy me nt at some stops of a lift having its long dimension perpendicular to the vehicle axis, the transportation entity may specify a lift which is designed to deploy with its long dimension parallel to the vehicle axis and which pivots into or out of the vehicle while occupied (i.e., “rotary lift”). The requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section prohibitin g the lift from being stowed while occupied shall not apply to a lift design of this type if the stowed position is within the passenger compartment and the lift is intended to be stowed while occupied. (iii) Exception. The brake or propulsion system interlocks requirement does not apply to a station platform mounted lift provided that a mechanical, electrical or other system operates to ensure that vehicles do not move when the lift is in use. (3) Emergency operation. T he lift shall incorporate an emergency method of deploying, lowering to ground level with a lift occupant, and raising and stowing the empty lift if the power to the lift fails. No em ergency

method, manual or otherwise, shall be capable of being operated i n a manner that could be hazardous to the lift occupant or to the operator when operated according to manufacturer's instructions, and shall not permit the platform to be stowed or folded when occupied, unless the lift is a rotary lift intended to be stowe d while occupied. (4) Power or equipment failure. Lift platforms stowed in a vertical position, and deployed platforms when occupied, shall have provisions to prevent their deploying, falling, or folding any faster than 12 inches/second or their dropping of an occupant in the event of a single failure of any load carrying com ponent. (5) Platform barriers. The lift platform shall be equipped with barriers to prevent any of the wheels of a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the lift during its operation. A movable barrier or inherent design feature shall prevent a wheelchair or mobility aid from rol ling off the edge closest to the vehicle until the lift is in its fully raised position. Each side of the lift platform which extends beyond the vehicle in its raised position shall have a barrier a minimum 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches high. Such barriers shall not interfe re with ma neuvering into or out of the aisle. The loading

- edge barrier (outer barrier) which functions as a loading ramp when the lift is at ground level, shall be sufficient when raised or closed, or a supplementary s ys tem shall be provided, to prevent a power wheelchair or mobility aid from riding over or defeating it. The outer barrier on the outboard of the lift shall automatically rise or close, or a supplementary system shall automatically engage, and remain raised, closed, or engaged at all times tha t the lift is more than 3 inches above the station platform or roadway and the lift is occupied. Alternatively, a barrier or system ma y be raised, lowered, opened, closed, engaged or disengaged by the lift operator provided an interlock or inherent design feature prevents the lift from rising unless the barrier is raised or closed or the supplementary system is engaged. (6) Platform surface. The lift platform surface shall be free of any protrusions over 1 ⁄ 4 inch high and shall be slip resistant. The lift p latform shall have a minimum clear width of 28 1 ⁄ 2 inches at the platform, a mi nim um clear width of 30 inches measured from 2 inches above the lift platform surface to 30 inches above the surface, and a minimum clear length of 48 inches measured from 2 inch es above the surface of the platform to 30 inches above the surface. (See Fig. 1) (7) Platform gaps. An y openings between the lift platform surface and the raised barriers shall not exceed 5 ⁄ 8 inch wide. W hen the lift is at vehicle floor height with the in ner barrier (if applicable) down or retracted, gaps between the forward lift platform edge and vehicle floor shall not exceed 1 ⁄ 2 inchhorizontally and 5 ⁄ 8 inch vertically. Platforms on semi

- automatic lifts may have a hand hold not exceeding 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches by 4 1

⁄ 2 inches located between the edge barriers. (8) Platform entrance ramp. The entrance ramp, or loading

- edge barrier used as a ramp, shall not exceed a slope of 1:8 measured on level ground, for a maximum rise of 3 inches, and the transition from the sta tion platform or roadway to ramp may be vertical without edge treatment up to 1 ⁄ 4 inch. Thresholds between 1

⁄ 4 inch and 1

⁄ 2 inch high shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. (9) Platform deflection. The lift platform (not including the entrance ramp) shall not deflect more than 3 degrees (exclusive of vehicle roll) in any direction between its unloaded position and its position when loaded with 600 pounds applied through a 26 inch by 26 inch test pallet at the centroid of the lift platform. (10) Platform movement. No part of the platform shall move at a rate exceeding 6 inches/second during lowering and lifting an occupant, and shall not exceed 12 inches/second during deploying or stowing. This requirement does not apply to the deploy ment or stowa ge cycles of lifts that are manually deployed or stowed. The maximum platform horizontal and vertical acceleration when occupied shall be 0.3g. (11) Boarding direction. The lift shall permit both inboard and outboard facing of wheelchairs and mo bility aids

. (12) Use by standees. Lifts shall accommodate persons using walkers, crutches, canes or braces or who otherwise have difficulty using steps. The lift may be marked to indicate a preferred standing position. (13) Handrails. Platforms on lifts shall be equ ipped with handrails, on two sides, which move in tandem with the lift which shall be graspable and provide support to standees throughout the entire lift operation. Handrails shall have a usable component at least 8 inches long with the lowest portion a m inim um 30 inches above the platform and the highest portion a maximum 38 inches above the platform. The handrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of 100 pounds concentrated at any point on the handrail without permanent deformation of the rail or its supporting structure. Handrails shall have a cross - sectional diameter between 1 1 ⁄ 4 inches and 1 1

⁄ 2 inches or shall provide an equivalent grasping surface, and have eased edges with corner radii of not less than 1 ⁄ 8 inch. Handrails shall be placed to provide a minimum 1 1

⁄ 2 inches knuckle clearance from the nearest adjacent surface. Handrails shall not interfere with wheelchair or mobility aid maneuverability when entering or leaving the vehicle. **(c) Vehicle ramp or bridge plate** 

— (1) Design load. Ramps or bridge plates 30 inches or longer shall support a load of 600 pounds, placed at the centroid of the ramp or bridge plate distributed over an area of 26 inches, with a safety factor of at least 3 based on the ultimate strength of the material. Ram ps or bridge plates shorter than 30 inches shall support a load of 300 pounds. (2) Ramp surface. The ramp or bridge plate surface shall be continuous and slip resistant, shall not have protrusions from the surface greater then 1 ⁄ 4 inch, shall have a clear width of 30 inches, and shall accommodate both four

-wheel and three

-wheel mobility aids. (3) Ramp threshold. The transition from roadway or station platform and the transition from vehicle floor to the ramp or bridge plate may be vertical without edge trea tment up to 1 ⁄ 4 inch. Changes in level between 1

⁄ 4 inch and 1

⁄ 2 inch shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. (4) Ramp barriers. Each side of the ramp or bridge plate shall have barriers at least 2 inches high to prevent mobility aid wheels from slipping off.(5) Slope. Ramps or bridge plates shall have the least slope practicable. If the height of the vehicle

floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 3 inches or less above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:4 is p ermitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 6 inches or less, but more than 3 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:6 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 5 0% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 9 inches or less, but more than 6 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:8 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is greater than 9 inches above the station platform a slope of 1:12 shall be achieved. Folding or telescoping ramps are permitted provided they meet all structural requirements of this section. (6) Attachment

— (i) Requirement. Wh en in use for boarding or alig hting, the ramp or bridge plate shall be attached to the vehicle, or otherwise prevented from moving such that it is not subject to displacement when loading or unloading a heavy power mobility aid and that any gaps between vehicle and ramp or bridge plate , and station platform and ramp or bridge plate, shall not exceed 5 ⁄ 8 inch. (ii) Exception. Ramps or bridge plates which are attached to, and deployed from, station platforms are permitted in lieu of vehicle devices provided they meet the displacement requ irements of paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section. (7) Stowage. A compartment, securement system, or other appropriate method shall be provided to ensure that stowed ramps or bridge plates, including portable ramps or bridges plates stowed in the passenger a rea, do not impinge on a passenger's wheelchair or mobility aid or pose any hazard to passengers in the event of a sudden stop. (8) Handrails. If provided, handrails shall allow persons with disabilities to grasp them from outside the vehicle while startin g to board, and to continue to use them throughout the boarding process, and shall have the top between 30 inches and 38 inches above the ramp surface. The handrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of 100 pounds concentrated at any point on the ha ndrail without permanent deformation of the rail or its supporting structure. The handrail shall have a cross

- sectional diam eter between 1 1

⁄ 4 inches and 1 1

⁄ 2 inches or shall provide an equivalent grasping surface, and have “eased” edges with corner radii of not less than 1 ⁄ 8 inch. Handrails shall not interfere with wheelchair or mo bility aid maneuverability when entering or leaving the vehicle. **§38.85 Between**  **- car barriers.** 
Wh ere vehicles operate in a high

- platform, level

- boarding mode, devices or systems shall be provided to prevent, deter or warn individuals from inadvertently stepping off the platform between cars. Appropriate devices include, but are not limited to, pantograph gates, chains, motion detectors or other suitable devices.


## Subpart E

—Commuter Rail Cars and Systems **§38.91 General.**  (c)(1) Commuter rail cars shall comply with §§38.93(d) and 38.109 of this part for **level boarding** unless structurally or operationally impracticable. (2) Wh ere level boarding is structurally or operationally impracticable, commuter rail cars shall com ply §38.95 of this part.**§38.93 Doorways.** 

**(a) Clear width.**  (1) At least one door on each side of the car from which passengers board opening onto station platforms and at least one adjacent doorway into the passenger coach compartment, if provided, shall have a minimum clear opening of 32 inches. (2) If doorways connecting adjoining cars in a multi

- car train are provided, and if such doorway is connected b y an aisle with a minimum clear width of 30 inches to one or more spaces where wheelchair or mobility aid users can be accommodated, then such doorway shall have, to the maximum extent practicable in accordance with the regulations issued under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (49 CFR parts 229 and 231), a clear opening of 30 inches. (b) Passageways. A route at least 32 inches wide shall be provided from doors required to be accessible by paragraph (a)(1) of this section to seating locations complyin g with §38.95(d) of this part. In cars where such doorways require passage through a vestibule, such vestibule shall have a minimum width of 42 inches. (See Fig. 3.) (c) Signals. If doors to the platform close automatically or from a remote location, audit ory and visual warning signals shall be provided to alert passengers or closing doors. **(d) Coordination with boarding platform** 

— (1) Requirements. Cars operating in stations with high platforms, or mini

- high platforms, shall be coordinated with the boarding platform design such that the horizontal gap between a car at rest and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches and the height of the car floor shall be within plus or minus 5 ⁄ 8 inch of the platform height. Vertical alignment may be accomplished by car air suspension, platform lifts or other devices, or any combination. (2) Exception. New vehicles operating in existing stations may have a floor height within plus or mi nus 1 1 ⁄ 2 in ches of the platform height. At key stations, the horizontal gap between at least one accessible door of each such vehicle and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches. (3) Exception. Wh ere platform set

- backs do not allow the horizontal gap or vertic al alignment specified in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section, car, platform or portable lifts complying with §38.95(b) of this part, or car or platform ramps or bridge plates, complying with §38.95(c) of this part, shall be provided,ensuring compli ance with section 37.42, where applicable. (4) Exception. Retrofitted vehicles shall be coordinated with the platform in new and key stations such that the horizontal gap shall be no greater than 4 inches and the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% pass enger load, shall be within plus or minus 2 inches of the platform height. (e) Signage. The International Symb ol of Accessibility shall be displaced on the exterior of all doors com plying with this section unless all cars are accessible and are not marked by the access symb ol (see Fig. 6). Appropriate signage shall also indicate which accessible doors are adjacent to an accessible restroom, if applicable. [56 FR 45756, Sept. 6, 1991, as amended at 76 FR 57939, Sept. 19, 2011] **§38.95 Mobility aid accessibi**  **lity.** (a)(1) General. All new commuter rail cars, other than level entry cars, covered by this subpart shall provide a **level -**  **change mechanism or boarding device** (e.g., lift, ramp or bridge plate) complying with either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section; sufficient clearances to permit a wheelchair or mobility aid user to reach a seating location; and at least two wheelchair or mobility aid seating locations complying with paragraph (d) of this section.(2) Exception. If level

- entry boarding, portable or p latform lifts, ramps or bridge plates meeting the

applicable requirements of this section are provided on station platforms or other stops required to be accessible, or mini

- high platforms complying with §38.93(d) are provided, the car is not required to b e equipped with a car

- borne device. The access systems or devices used at a station to which section 37.42 applies must permit compliance with that section. **(b) Car Lift** 

— (1) Design load. The design load of the lift shall be at least 600 pounds. Wo rk ing parts, such as cables, pulleys, and shafts, which can be expected to wear, and upon which the lift depends for support of the load, shall have a safety factor of at least six, based on the ultimate strength of the ma terial. Nonworking parts, such as platform, frame, and attachment hardware which would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at least three, based on the ultimate strength of the ma terial. (2) Controls

— (i) Requirements. The controls shall be interlocked with the car brakes, propuls ion system, or door, or shall provide other appropriate mechanisms or systems, to ensure that the car cannot be moved when the lift is not stowed and so the lift cannot be deployed unless the interlocks or systems are engaged. The lift shall deploy to all platform levels normally encountered in the operating environment. W here provided, each control for deploying, lowering, raising, and stowing the lift and lowering the roll

- off barrier shall be of a monetary contact type requiring continuous manual pressure by the operator and shall not allow improper lift sequencing when the lift platform is occupied. The controls shall allow reversal of the lift operation sequence, such as raising or lowering a platform that is part way down, without allowing an occupied platform to fold or retract into the stowed position. (ii) Exception. Wh ere physical or safety constraints prevent the deploy me nt at some stops of a lift having its long dimension perpendicular to the car axis, the transportation entity may specify a lift which is designed to deploy with its long dimension parallel to the car axis and which pivots into or out of the car while occupied (i.e., “rotary lift”). The requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section prohibiting the lift from being stowed while occupied shall not apply to a lift design of this type if the stowed position is within the passenger compartment and the lift is intended to be stowed while occupied. (iii) Exception. The brake or propulsion system interlock requirement does not apply to a platform mo unted or portable lift provided that a mechanical, electrical or other system operates to ensure that cars do not move when the lift is in use. (3) Emergency operation. The lift shall incorporate an emergency method of deploying, lowering to ground or platform level with a lift occupant, and raising and stowing the empty lift if the power to the lift fails. No emergency method, manual or otherwise, shall be capable of being operated in a manner that could be hazardous to the lift occupant or t o the operator when operated according to manufacturer's instructions, and shall not permit the platform to be stowed or folded when occupied, unless the lift is a rotary lift intended to be stowed while occupied. (4) Power or equipment failure. Platforms stowed in a vertical position, and deployed platforms when occupied, shall have provisions to prevent their deploying, falling, or folding any faster than 12 inches/second or their dropping of an occupant in the event of a single failure of any load carryi ng com ponent. (5) Platform barriers. The lift platform shall be equipped with barriers to prevent any of the wheels of a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the lift during its operation. A movable barrier or inherent design feature shall prevent a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the edge closest to the car until the lift is in its fully raised position. Each side of the lift platform which, in its raised position, extends beyond the car shall have a barrier a minimum 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches high. S uch barriers shall not interfere with ma neuvering into or out of the car. The loading

- edge barrier (outer barrier) which functions as a loading ramp when the lift is at ground or station platform level, shall be sufficient when raised or closed, or a suppl em entary system shall be provided, to prevent a power wheelchair or mobility aid from riding over ordefeating it. The outer barrier of the lift shall automatically rise or close, or a supplementary system shall

automatically engage, and remain raised, clo sed, or engaged at all times that the lift platform is more than 3 inches above the station platform and the lift is occupied. Alternatively, a barrier or system may be raised, lowered, opened, closed, engaged or disengaged by the lift operator provided an interlock or inherent design feature prevents the lift from rising unless the barrier is raised or closed or the supplementary system is engaged. (6) Platform surface. The lift platform surface shall be free of any protrusions over 1 ⁄ 4 inch high and shall be slip resistant. The lift platform shall have a minimum clear width of 28 1 ⁄ 2 inches at the platform, a mi nim um clear width of 30 inches measured from 2 inches above the lift platform surface to 30 inches above the surface, and a mini mu m clear length of 48 inches measured from 2 inches above the surface of the platform to 30 inches above the surface. (See Fig. 1) (7) Platform gaps. An y openings between the lift platform surface and the raised barriers shall not exceed 5 ⁄ 8 inch wide. W h en the lift is at car floor height with the inner barrier down (if applicable) or retracted, gaps between the forward lift platform edge and car floor shall not exceed 1 ⁄ 2 inch horizontally and 5 ⁄ 8 inch vertically. (8) Platform entrance ramp. The entrance ramp, or loading

- edge barrier used as a ramp, shall not exceed a slope of 1:8, when measured on level ground, for a maximum rise of 3 inches, and the transition from station platform to ramp may be vertical without edge treatment up to 1 ⁄ 4 inch. Thresholds between 1 ⁄ 4 inch and 1

⁄ 2 inch high shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. (9) Platform deflection. The lift platform (not including the entrance ramp) shall not deflect more than 3 degrees (exclusive of vehicle roll) in any direction between i ts unloaded position and its position when loaded with 600 pounds applied through a 26 inch by 26 inch test pallet at the centroid of the lift platform. (10) Platform movement. No part of the platform shall move at a rate exceeding 6 inches/second during l owering and lifting an occupant, and shall not exceed 12 inches/second during deploying or stowing. This requirement does not apply to the deploy ment or stowage cycles of lifts that are manually deployed or stowed. The maximum platform horizontal and verti cal acceleration when occupied shall be 0.3g. (11) Boarding direction. The lift shall permit both inboard and outboard facing of wheelchairs and mo bility aids. (12) Use by standees. Lifts shall accommodate persons using walkers, crutches, canes or braces or who otherwise have difficulty using steps. The lift may be marked to indicate a preferred standing position. (13) Handrails. Platforms on lifts shall be equipped with handrails, o n two sides, which move in tandem with the lift which shall be graspable and provide support to standees throughout the entire lift operation. Handrails shall have a usable component at least 8 inches long with the lowest portion a mi nim um 30 inches above the platform and the highest portion a maximum 38 inches above the platform. The handrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of 100 pounds concentrated at any point on the handrail without permanent deformation of the rail or its supporting structure. The handrail shall have a cross - sectional diameter between 1 1 ⁄ 4 inches and 1 1

⁄ 2 inches or shall provide an equivalent grasping surface, and have eased edges with corner radii of not less than 1 ⁄ 8 inch. Handrails shall be placed to provide a minimum 1 1

⁄ 2 inches knuckle clearance from the nearest adjacent surface. Handrails shall not interfere with wheelchair or mobility aid maneuverability when entering or leaving the car. **(c) Car ramp or bridge plate** 

— (1) Design load. Ramps or bridge plates 30 inches or longer shall support a load of 600 pounds, placed at the centroid of the ramp or bridge plate distributed over an areaof 26 inches by 26 inches, with a safety factor of at least 3 based on the ultimate strength of the ma terial.

Ramps or bridge plates shorter than 30 inches shall support a load of 300 pounds. (2) Ramp surface. The ramp or bridge plate surface shall be continuous and slip resistant, shall not have protrusions from the surface greater than 1 ⁄ 4 inch high, shall have a clear width of 30 inches and shall accommodate both four

-wheel and three

-wheel mobility aids. (3) Ramp threshold. The transition from station platform to the ramp or bridge plate and the transition from car floor to the ramp or bridge plate m ay be vertical without edge treatment up to 1 ⁄ 4 inch. Changes in level between 1 ⁄ 4 inch and 1

⁄ 2 inch shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. (4) Ramp barriers. Each side of the ramp or bridge plate shall have barriers at least 2 inches high to prevent mobility aid wheels from slipping off. (5) Slope. Ramps or bridge plates shall have the least slope practicable. If the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 3 inches or less above the station pl atform a maximum slope of 1:4 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 6 inches or less, but more than 3 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:6 is permitted; if the he ight of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 9 inches or less, but more than 6 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:8 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is greater than 9 inches above the station platform a slope of 1:12 shall be achieved. Folding or telescoping ramps are permitted provided they meet all structural requirements of this section. (6) Attachment

— (i) Requiremen t. Wh en in use for boarding or alighting, the ramp or bridge plate shall be attached to the vehicle, or otherwise prevented from moving such that it is not subject to displacement when loading or unloading a heavy power mobility aid and that any gaps betwe en vehicle and ramp or bridge plate, and station platform and ramp or bridge plate, shall not exceed 5 ⁄ 8 inch. (ii) Exception. Ramps or bridge plates which are attached to, and deployed from, station platforms are permitted in lieu of car devices provided they meet the displacement requirements of paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section. **§38.109 Between**  **- car barriers.** 
Wh ere vehicles operate in a high

- platform, level

- boarding mode, and where between

- car bellows are not provided, devices or systems shall be provided to prevent, deter or warn individuals from inadvertently stepping off the platform between cars. Appropriate devices include, but are not limited to, pantograph gates, chains, motion detectors or other suitable devices.


## Subpart F

— Intercity Rail Cars and Systems **§38.113 Doorways.**  **(a) Clear width** 

. (1) At least one doorway, on each side of the car from which passengers board, of each car required to be accessible by §38.111(a) and where the spaces required by §38.111(d) of this part are located, and at least one adjacent doorway into coach passenger compartments shall have a mi nim um clear opening width of 32 inches.(2) Doorways at ends of cars connecting two adjacent cars, to the maximum extent practicable in

accordance with regulations issued under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (49 CFR p arts 229 and 231), shall have a clear opening width of 32 inches to permit wheelchair and mobility aid users to enter into a single

- level dining car, if available. (b) Passageway. Doorways required to be accessible by paragraph (a) of this section shall p ermit access by persons using mobility aids and shall have an unobstructed passageway at least 32 inches wide leading to an accessible sleeping compartment comply ing with §38.127 of this part or seating locations complying with §38.125(d) of this part. In cars where such doorways require passage through a vestibule, such vestibule shall have a minimum width of 42 inches. (see Fig. 4) (c) Signals. If doors to the platform close automatically or from a remote location, auditory and visual warning signals shal l be provided to alert passengers of closing doors. (d) **Coordination with boarding platforms**

— (1) Requirements. Cars which provide level

- boarding in stations with high platforms shall be coordinated with the boarding platform or mini

- high platform design s uch that the horizontal gap between a car at rest and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches and the height of the car floor shall be within plus or minus 5 ⁄ 8 inch of the platform height. Vertical alignment ma y be accomplished by car air suspension , platform lifts or other devices, or any combination. (2) Exception. New cars operating in existing stations may have a floor height within plus or minus 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches of the platform height. (3) Exception. Wh ere platform set

- backs do not allow the horizo ntal gap or vertical alignment specified in paragraph (d) (1) or (2), platform or portable lifts complying with §38.125(b) of this part, or car or platform bridge plates, complying with §38.125(c) of this part, may be provided ensuring compliance with sect ion 37.42, where applicable. (4) Exception. Retrofitted vehicles shall be coordinated with the platform in existing stations such that the horizontal gap shall be no greater than 4 inches and the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, shal l be within plus or minus 2 inches of the platform height. (e) Signage. The International Symb ol of Accessibility shall be displayed on the exterior of all doors com plying with this section unless all cars and doors are accessible and are not marked by th e access symb ol (see fig. 6). Appropriate signage shall also indicate which accessible doors are adjacent to an accessible restroom, if applicable. **§38.125 Mobility aid accessibility.**  (a)(1) General. All intercity rail cars, **other than level entry cars** , required to be accessible by §§38.111 (a) and (e) of this subpart shall provide a level

- change mechanism or boarding device (e.g., lift, ramp or bridge plate) complying with either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section and sufficient clearances to permit a wheelchair or other mobility aid user to reach a seating location complying with paragraph (d) of this section. (2) Exception. If level

- entry boarding, portable or platform lifts, ramps or bridge plates meeting the applicable requirements of this section are provided on station platforms or other stops required to be accessible, or mini

- high platforms complying with §38.113(d) are provided, the car is not required to be equipped with a car

- borne device. The access systems or devices used at a station to wh ich section 37.42 applies must permit compliance with that section. **(b) Car Lift** 

— (1) Design load. The design load of the lift shall be at least 600 pounds. Wo rk ing parts, such as cables, pulleys, and shafts, which can be expected to wear, and upon which the lift depends forsupport of the load, shall have a safety factor of at least six, based on the ultimate strength of the

ma terial. Nonworking parts, such as platform, frame, and attachment hardware which would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at least three, based on the ultimate strength of the ma terial. (2) Controls

— (i) Requir ements. The controls shall be interlocked with the car brakes, propulsion system, or door, or shall provide other appropriate mechanisms or systems, to ensure that the car cannot be moved when the lift is not stowed and so the lift cannot be deployed unles s the interlocks or systems are engaged. The lift shall deploy to all platform levels normally encountered in the operating environment. W here provided, each control for deploying, lowering, raising, and stowing the lift and lowering the roll

- off barrier s hall be of a monetary contact type requiring continuous manual pressure by the operator and shall not allow improper lift sequencing when the lift platform is occupied. The controls shall allow reversal of the lift operation sequence, such as raising or lo wering a platform that is part way down, without allowing an occupied platform to fold or retract into the stowed position. (ii) Exception. Wh ere physical or safety constraints prevent the deploy me nt at some stops of a lift having its long dimension perpen dicular to the car axis, the transportation entity may specify a lift which is designed to deploy with its long dimension parallel to the car axis and which pivots into or out of the car while occupied (i.e., “rotary lift”). The requirements of paragraph ( b)(2)(i) of this section prohibiting the lift from being stowed while occupied shall not apply to a lift design of this type if the stowed position is within the passenger compartment and the lift is intended to be stowed while occupied. (iii) Exception. The brake or propulsion system interlocks requirement does not apply to platform mo unted or portable lifts provided that a mechanical, electrical or other system operates to ensure that cars do not move when the lift is in use. (3) Emergency operation. Th e lift shall incorporate an emergency method of deploying, lowering to ground or station platform level with a lift occupant, and raising and stowing the empty lift if the power to the lift fails. No emergency method, manual or otherwise, shall be capable of being operated in a manner that could be hazardous to the lift occupant or to the operator when operated according to manufacturer's instructions, and shall not permit the platform to be stowed or folded when occupied, unless the lift is a rotary lift a nd is intended to be stowed while occupied. (4) Power or equipment failure. Platforms stowed in a vertical position, and deployed platforms when occupied, shall have provisions to prevent their deploying, falling, or folding any faster than 12 inches/secon d or their dropping of an occupant in the event of a single failure of any load carrying com ponent. (5) Platform barriers. The lift platform shall be equipped with barriers to prevent any of the wheels of a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the l ift during its operation. A movable barrier or inherent design feature shall prevent a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the edge closest to the car until the lift is in its fully raised position. Each side of the lift platform which, in its rais ed position, extends beyond the car shall have a barrier a minimum 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches high. Such barriers shall not interfere with ma neuvering into or out of the car. The loading

- edge barrier (outer barrier) which functions as a loading ramp when the lift is at g round or station platform level, shall be sufficient when raised or closed, or a supplementary system shall be provided, to prevent a power wheelchair or mobility aid from riding over or defeating it. The outer barrier of the lift shall automatically rise or close, or a supplementary system shall automatically engage, and remain raised, closed, or engaged at all times that the lift platform is more than 3 inches above the station platform and the lift is occupied. Alternatively, a barrier or system may be raised, lowered, opened, closed, engaged or disengaged by the lift operator provided an interlock or inherent design feature prevents the lift from rising unless the barrier is raised or closed or the supplementary system is engaged.(6) Platform surface. T he lift platform surface shall be free of any protrusions over 1 ⁄ 4 inch high and shall be slip resistant. The lift platform shall have a minimum clear width of 28 1 ⁄ 2 inches at the platform, a mi nim um clear width of 30 inches measured from 2 inches above th e lift platform surface to 30 inches above the surface, and a minimum clear length of 48 inches measured from 2 inches above the surface of the platform to 30 inches above the surface. (See Fig. 1.) (7) Platform gaps. An y openings between the lift platform surface and the raised barriers shall not exceed 5 ⁄ 8 inch wide. W hen the lift is at car floor height with the inner barrier (if applicable) down or retracted, gaps between the forward lift platform edge and car floor shall not exceed 1 ⁄ 2 inch horizontally and 5 ⁄ 8 inch vertically. (8) Platform entrance ramp. The entrance ramp, or loading

- edge barrier used as a ramp, shall not exceed a slope of 1:8, when measured on level ground, for a maximum rise of 3 inches, and the transition from station platform to ram p may be vertical without edge treatment up to 1 ⁄ 4 inch. Thresholds between 1 ⁄ 4 inch and 1

⁄ 2 inch high shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. (9) Platform deflection. The lift platform (not including the entrance ramp) shall not deflect more th an 3 degrees (exclusive of car roll) in any direction between its unloaded position and its position when loaded with 600 pounds applied through a 26 inch by 26 inch test pallet at the centroid of the lift platform. (10) Platform movement. No part of the p latform shall move at a rate exceeding 6 inches/second during lowering and lifting an occupant, and shall not exceed 12 inches/second during deploying or stowing. This requirement does not apply to the deploy ment or stowage cycles of lifts that are manuall y deployed or stowed. The maximum platform horizontal and vertical acceleration when occupied shall be 0.3g. (11) Boarding direction. The lift shall permit both inboard and outboard facing of wheelchairs and mo bility aids. (12) Use by standees. Lifts shall accommodate persons using walkers, crutches, canes or braces or who otherwise have difficulty using steps. The lift may be marked to indicate a preferred standing position. (13) Handrails. Platforms on lifts shall be equipped with handrails, on two sides, which move in tandem with the lift, and which shall be graspable and provide support to standees throughout the entire lift operation. Handrails shall have a usable component at least 8 inches long with the lowest portion a mi nim um 30 inches above the pla tform and the highest portion a maximum 38 inches above the platform. The handrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of 100 pounds concentrated at any point on the handrail without permanent deformation of the rail or its supporting structure. The handrail shall have a cross - sectional diameter between 1 1 ⁄ 4 inches and 1 1

⁄ 2 inches or shall provide an equivalent grasping surface, and have eased edges with corner radii of not less than 1 ⁄ 8 inch. Handrails shall be placed to provide a minimum 1 1

⁄ 2 inches knuckle clearance from the nearest adjacent surface. Handrails shall not interfere with wheelchair or mobility aid maneuverability when entering or leaving the car. **(c) Car ramp or bridge plate** 

— (1) Design load. Ramps or bridge plates 30 inches or longer shall support a load of 600 pounds, placed at the centroid of the ramp or bridge plate distributed over an area of 26 inches by 26 inches, with a safety factor of at least 3 based on the ultimate strength of the ma terial. Ramps or bridge plates shorter than 30 inches shall support a load of 300 pounds. (2) Ramp surface. The ramp or bridge plate surface shall be continuous and slip resistant, shall not have protrusions from the surface greater than 1 ⁄ 4 inch high, s hall have a clear width of 30 inches and shall accommodate both four

-wheel and three

-wheel mobility aids.(3) Ramp threshold. The transition from station platform to the ramp or bridge plate and the

transition from car floor to the ramp or bridge plate may be vertical without edge treatment up to 1 ⁄ 4 inch. Changes in level between 1 ⁄ 4 inch and 1

⁄ 2 inch shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. (4) Ramp barriers. Each side of the ramp or bridge plate shall have barriers at least 2 inches high to pre vent mobility aid wheels from slipping off. (5) Slope. Ramps or bridge plates shall have the least slope practicable. If the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 3 inches or less above the station platfo rm a maximum slope of 1:4 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 6 inches or less, but more than 3 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:6 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 9 inches or less, but more than 6 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:8 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is greater than 9 inches above the station platform a slope of 1:12 shall be achieved. Folding or telescoping ramps are permitted provided they meet all structural requirements of this section. (6) Attachment

— (i) Requirement. Wh en in use for boarding or alighting, the ramp or bridge plate shall be attached to the vehicle, or otherwise prevented from moving such that it is not subject to displacement when loading or unloading a heavy power mobility aid and that any gaps between ve hicle and ramp or bridge plate, and station platform and ramp or bridge plate, shall not exceed 5 ⁄ 8 inch. (ii) Exception. Ramps or bridge plates which are attached to, and deployed from, station platforms are permitted in lieu of car devices provided they me et the displacement requirements of paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section.


## Subpart H

— Other Vehicles and Systems **§38.173 Au**  **tomated guideway transit vehicles and systems.** (a) Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) vehicles and systems, sometimes called “people movers”, operated in airports and other areas where AGT vehicles travel at slow speed (i.e., at a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour at any location on their route during normal operation), shall comply with the provisions of §38.53 (a) through (c), and §§38.55 through 38.61 of this part for rapid rail vehicles and systems. (b) Wh ere the vehicle covered by paragraph (a) will operate in an accessible station, the design of vehicles shall be **c oordinated with the boarding platform design**  such that the horizontal gap between a vehicle door at rest and the platform shall be no greater than 1 inch and the height of the vehicle floor shall be within plus or minus 1 ⁄ 2 inch of the platform height unde r all normal passenger load conditions. Vertical alignment may be accomplished by vehicle air suspension or other suitable means of meeting the requirement. (c) In stations where open platforms are not protected by platform screens, a suitable device or system shall be provided to prevent, deter or warn individuals from stepping off the platform between cars. Acceptable devices include, but are not limited to, pantograph gates, chains, motion detectors or other appropriate devices. (d) Light rail and rapi d rail AGT vehicles and systems shall comply with subparts D and C of this part, respectively. AGT systems whose vehicles travel at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour at anylocation on their route during normal operation are covered under this paragra ph rather than under

paragraph (a) of this section. **§38.175 High**  **- speed rail cars, monorails and systems.**  (a) All cars for high

- speed rail systems, including but not limited to those using “maglev” or high speed steel

- wheel

- on - steel rail technology, and m onorail systems operating primarily on dedicated rail (i.e., not used by freight trains) or guideway, in which stations are constructed in accordance with part 37, subpart C of this title , **shall be designed for high -**  **platform, level boarding** and shall compl y with §38.111(a) of this part for each type of car which is similar to intercity rail, §§38.111(d), 38.113 (a) through (c) and (e), 38.115 (a) and (b), 38.117 (a) and (b), 38.121 through 38.123, 38.125(d), and 38.127 (if applicable) of this part. The desi gn of cars shall be coordinated with the boarding platform design such that the horizontal gap between a car door at rest and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches and the height of the car floor shall be within plus or minus 5 ⁄ 8 inch of the platform height under all normal passenger load conditions. Vertical alignment may be accomplished by car air suspension or other suitable means of meeting the requirement. All doorways shall have, when the door is open, at least 2 footcandles of illumination m easured on the door threshold. (b) All other high

- speed rail cars shall comply with the similar provisions of subpart F of this part. **§38.179 Trams, and similar vehicles, and systems**  (a) New and used trams consisting of a tractor unit, with or without pa ssenger accommodations, and one or more passenger trailer units, including but not limited to vehicles providing shuttle service to remote parking areas, between hotels and other public accommodations, and between and within am usem ent parks and other recre ation areas, shall comply with this section. For purposes of determining applicability of 49 CFR 37.101, 37.103, or 37.105 the capacity of such a vehicle or “train” shall consist of the total combined seating capacity of all units, plus the driver, prior t o any modification for accessibility. (b) Each tractor unit which accommodates passengers and each trailer unit shall comply with §38.25 and §38.29 of this part. In addition, each such unit shall comply with **§38.23 (b) or (c)** and shall provide at least one space for wheelchair or mobility aid users comply ing with §38.23(d) of this part unless the com plete operating unit consisting of tractor and one or more trailers can already accommodate at least two wheelchair or mobility aid users.