# Summary of PRIIA Next Generation 

# Equipment Committee Accessibility Accommodations and Other Areas for

Consideration

MELISSA SHURLAND PROGRAM MANAGER Office of Research and Development Office of Railroad Policy and Development

# Overview

• Background of PRIIA Next Generation Equipment 

# Committee

• Development of Accessibility Recommendations

• PRIIA Bi

- level Passenger Rail Car Characteristics



# • PRIIA Bi

- level Passenger Rail Car Accessibility Accommodations

• Additional Passenger Rail Car Accessibility Accommodations for Consideration



# • Applicability of ADAAG for Passenger Rail Car

• Open Discussion

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# Background of PRIIA Next Generation Equipment Committee

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# Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, (PRIIA) 2008, Section 

# 305

- “...Amtrak shall establish a Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee,...The purpose of the Committee shall be to design, develop specifications for, and procure standardized next

- generation corridor equipment.”

• Amtrak

• FRA

• States : California, Illinois, Iowa, 

## Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Washington, Wisconsin

# Background Con’t PRIIA Next Generation Equipment Committee Accessibility Policy Group

• Review the current and future needs of passengers with disabilities, and



# • Make recommendations on how best to address those needs in the most cost

- effective and reasonable manner.

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# Development of Accessibility Recommendations

• Oregon State University under Contract with FRA developed recommendations

– Reviewed current demographics of Americans

– Reviewed current domestic and international standards for wheeled mobility devices

– Reviewed current passenger rail car interior layout design: VIA Rail, Amtrak Acela, etc.

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# Development of Accessibility Recommendations Cont.

• Accessibility Working Group reviewed recommendations and presented to NGEC Executive Board for consideration

– Rail Car Manufacturers: Alstom, Bombardier, Kawasaki, Talgo, Siemens

– Suppliers: Ricon

– Providers: Amtrak, Caltrans, NC DOT,

– Federal: US DOT OST, FRA, FTA, US Access Board Staff

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# Development of Accessibility Recommendations Cont.

• Manufacturers, Providers and Suppliers found recommendations to be technically feasible

– Structural recommendations were incorporated into the bi

- level specifications in time for 

# procurement (Caltrans and Mid

- west States)

– Non

- structural recommendations (restroom) will be translated to engineering drawings for further 

# feasibility study

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# PRIIA Bi - level Car Characteristics

• Bi

- level passenger rail car

– Passenger seating in upper and lower level



# • Intended for medium to long distance intercity passenger service



# • Car to car pass through on upper level

• Three types of cars: coach, café/lounge, cab/baggage



# • Accessible seating locations in all three types of cars

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# PRIIA Bi - level Car Characteristics Cont.

• Overall Length: 85 ft

• Overall Height: 16 ft 2 in.

• Overall Width: 10 ft 6 in.



# • Lower Floor Height: 18 in above top of rail

• Upper Floor Height: 105.5 in above top of rail

• Side Door Opening: 52 in clear opening

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## ITEM ENHANCED ACCESSIBILITY 

## ACCOMMODATIONS REGULATIONS Carborne l ift design load 800 lbs. ADA: 600 lbs. § 38.125(b )

Lift platform size 30 ” x 54” ADA: 30” x 48” § 38.125(b )(6)

On - board circulation • 44 ” clearance for 90 degree turn from vestibule into car;

• 32” x 59” to maneuver in and out of accessible position;

• 32 ” wide clear passage from accessible seating position t o accessible restroom* ADA: 42” vestibule 30” x 48” accessible seating position § 38.113(b )

Accessible seating location 32 ” x 59” for each mobility aid position ADA: minimum clear floor space of 30 ” x 48” § 38.125(d ) 

# PRIIA Bi - level Passenger Rail Car Enhanced Accessibility Accommodations

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# PRIIA Bi - level Coach Car Conceptual

Interior Layout

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# PRIIA Bi - level Café/Lounge Car Conceptual I nterior Layout

12 Food Service

# PRIIA Bi - level Cab/Baggage Car Conceptual I nterior Layout

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## ITEM ENHANCED ACCESSIBILITY

RECOMMODATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION 

## REGULATIONS
Accessible seating location • Two accessible seating positions with transfer seats

• Locate accessible seat near window;

• Pivoting armrest at accessible seat for ease of transfer;

• Accessible call button reachable from the accessible space and transfer seat

• Usable hard surface such as a table/tray table at accessible location

• Unoccupied wheeled mobility device stowage space in the same car ADA: minimum clear floor space of 30 ” x 48” § 38.125(d )

Access in dining/bistro area • 32” x 59” footprint at an accessible table;

• 30” vertical clearance under the table;

• Unoccupied wheeled mobility device stowage space in the dinning car ADA: 30” by 48" § 38.125(d )(2)

Accessible Restroom • Sliding power assisted door;

• 36”, if located on ends

• 42”, if located at side

• Space near toilet for dependent and independent transfers;

• Fold down grab bar at side(s) of toilet;

• Accessible emergency call button reachable from seated position on toilet and from 10” above floor ADA: Clear floor space of 35” x 60” § 38.123(a). 

# Additional Passenger Rail Car Enhanced Accessibility Accommodations for Consideration

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## ITEM ENHANCED ACCESSIBILITY

RECOMMODATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION REGULATIONS
Accessible Restroom Con’t • Water temperature limit;

• Automatic toilet flush, faucet/soap controls;

• Toilet designed to s upport user weight of 400 lbs.;

• Toilet paper within reach from seated position on toilet;

• Split

- type seat ADA: Clear floor space of 35” x 60” § 38.123(a).

On - board Passenger Information Systems, OPIS Provide real

- time information for passengers in audio and

visual format, for:

• Travel Info (c urrent stop , next stop, transfers, accessibility, etc.);

• Emergency Information ADA: § 38.121(a ) Public address system or other effective Communication

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# Additional Passenger Rail Car Enhanced Accessibility Accommodations for



# Consideration

## ITEM ENHANCED ACCESSIBILITY

RECOMMENDATION FOR CONSIDERATION REGULATIONS Signage All signage accessible

• with additional focus on practical and efficient placement within seating area for ease of access ADA : § 38.113(e )

Emergency Evacuation On

- board evacuation devices for wheeled mobility device users

• Intended for use by train crew or emergency responders to evacuate passengers

• Not intended to transport mobility devices Not Available

Service animal accommodation Two spaces for services animals

• out of passage way

• Can be under the seat or within the accessible seating location Not Available

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# Additional Passenger Rail Car Enhanced Accessibility Accommodations for

Consideration

# Potential Applicability of ADAAG for Passenger

Rail Equipment

• December 2012 USDOT established guidance about “What 

# Accessibility Standards Apply To Passenger Rail Cars When Specific Design Standards Are Not Provided In 49 CFR Part 38”

– Pointed to Chapter 3 and 9 for railcar elements in dining car that should be accessible

– Advised service providers to work with FRA and FTA when it may be infeasible to include some accessible features



# • NGEC review ADAAG for other areas of potential applicability of the guidelines for passenger rail equipment. For example,

– Section 302
– Floor or Ground Surface. Provides guidance on flooring within the passenger area



## – Section 505
– Handrails. Provides guidance on design of handrails to make them more accessible

– Section 810
– Public Address. Provides guidance on public address that provides audio/visual information

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# Review of ADAAG Con’t

• Design tool for passenger rail equipment operators and 

# manufacturers

• ADAAG Review Document is available to RVAAC for review and comments.

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# Open Discussion

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# Thank You
Melissa Shurland

Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Policy and Development 

# Office of Research and Development Melissa.shurland@dot.gov 202

- 493

- 1316

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