1

40 Car Vehicle Ferry Case Study (Public Entity)

June 25, 2013

Introduction 

In 2006, the ferry was under construction and is designed to carry a maximum of 300 

passengers and 40 vehicles.1

The ferry has two passenger decks. 

 Main Deck – The main deck is approximately 7,900 square feet. Pedestrians and 

vehicles enter the ferry from either end of the main deck. There are four lanes for 

vehicles. Between lanes 1 and 2, there are single-user toilet rooms, one for men and 

another for women; an emergency generator room; an enclosed stairway to the engine 

room; and two exterior stairways that connect to the second deck. 

Figure 1. Main Deck – Original Design

 Second Deck – The second deck is approximately 1,250 square feet and is located 

over lane 1 and the structures on the main deck. There is an enclosed passenger lounge 

that has benches, tables, and a drinking fountain. There is also an open deck area that has 

benches. There are two exterior stairways that connect to the third deck that is for 

employees only and contains the pilot house. Two other exterior stairways connect the 

main deck.

Figure 2. Second Deck – Original Design

 

1

 The 40 vehicle capacity is based on a car length of 16 feet. Vehicles carried on the ferry range in size 

from less than 20 feet to 65 feet. Special permits are required for vehicles over 65 feet. 
2

The US Coast Guard does not require coamings on any passenger doors on the ferry.

2

Methodology

A representative of the Access Board reviewed the original designs of the vessel with a 

representative of the ferry service to identify passenger features that would not meet the 

draft passenger vessel accessibility guidelines made available in 2006. The ferry

representative proposed new designs for the passenger features that would meet the draft 

guidelines and estimated how much the new designs would add to the vessel’s 

construction cost. 

The Access Board has updated the study to represent the requirements in the proposed 

passenger vessel accessibility guidelines. The 2006 costs recorded in the 2008 draft of 

the study (available on the Board’s website) that applied to the proposed guidelines were 

multiplied by 1.19483to produce 2011 values. The ferry representative has not reviewed 

the updates.

The ferry representative reported that the cost to construct the vessel was approximately

$6 million in 2005 dollars. The ferry representative estimated the cost for constructing 

the vessel based on the original designs to be approximately $8 million in 2006 dollars, 

updated to $9.56 million in 2011 dollars. 

The platform lift and other proposed designs to meet the proposed guidelines would add 

from $258,800 to $318,800 (average of $288,800) to the vessel’s (updated) construction 

costs, or a 3.0 percent increase. Over 70 percent of the additional costs are attributed to 

the platform lift. Two to four fixed seats were lost on the second deck, and one 

wheelchair space and one drinking fountain were added.

Actions taken on features in the original vessel designs to create new designs meeting the 

draft guidelines4for a new vessel are discussed below, as updated to reflect the 

requirements of the proposed guidelines. The case study sought to identify actions that 1) 

have significant impacts, 2) incurred additional costs but did not have significant impacts, 

or 3) have other outcomes which should be noted. 

An action is identified as having a significant impact where the redesign of the feature 

would add more than 0.5 percent to vessel’s construction costs; would substantially

reduce the vessel’s usable space or necessitate an increase in the vessel’s size; or would 

present major operational issues. An action is identified as incurring an additional cost 

but not having a significant impact where a specific cost can be attributed to the redesign 

of a feature but it does not meet the criteria for a significant impact. 

 

2

 The proposed guidelines require thresholds at doors without coamings to be 1⁄2 inch high maximum. 

V404.2.5.1. The case study assumes that this requirement would have minimal impact on new 

construction.

3

 1.194773214 and results have been rounded.

4

 As amended by Board action at the 2007 and April 2008 meetings. 
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Designs That Have Significant Impacts

1. Access to Second Deck

On the second deck (1250 square feet in size), interior and exterior transportation seating 

areas are provided for passenger use. The proposed guidelines require at least one 

transportation seating area to be on an entry deck or to be connected to an entry deck by

an accessible route.

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 V222.2. The guidelines permit a platform lift to be used in new 

construction to provide access to a deck that is less than 3,000 square feet. V206.7.1. 

The ferry representative proposed to use a platform lift to provide access to the 

transportation seating areas on the second deck instead of locating a transportation 

seating area on the main deck. 

The platform lift would be located near the men’s room between lanes 1 and 2 on the 

main deck. The platform lift would be positioned parallel with the width of the vessel

and the door would open in the direction of lane 1. The stairway near the men’s toilet 

room would be moved approximately 12 feet toward the end of the vessel. The platform 

lift and new stairway location would not interfere with the vehicle lanes. The second 

deck surface would be increased approximately 33 square feet for the new stair landing.

The ferry representative estimated a marine grade, custom made, stainless steel platform 

lift which is open to the weather and the additional deck surface would add $179,000 to 

$239,000 (average of $209,000) to the vessel’s construction costs.

Figure 3. Main Deck – Proposed Platform Lift Location 

2. Main Deck Slope

The proposed guidelines generally require deck surfaces to have slopes that do not 

exceed 2 percent unless the surface is the running slope of an accessible route. V305.2. 

The ferry’s camber, or side to side slope, is 2.27 percent.6 The ferry representative 

 

5

 The proposed guidelines do not require vessels that have two passenger decks to provide an accessible 

route between the decks unless both decks are entry decks. V206.2.1 Exception 1. However, the locations

of transportation seating areas are controlled. V222.2. 

6

 Where necessary to meet camber and sheer needs of the vessel, the proposed guidelines permit deck 

surfaces to comply with the slope requirement to maximum extent feasible. V203.4.
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reported that a camber exceeding 2 percent is not necessary for water drainage. The ferry

representative estimated that it would cost $59,700 to redesign the main deck so that the 

slopes do not exceed 2 percent.7

Designs That Incur Additional Costs But Do Not Have Significant 

Impacts

3. Drinking Fountains 

A drinking fountain is provided in the second deck cabin and mounted at standard height. 

Where a deck has a passenger drinking fountain, the proposed guidelines require the deck 

to have at least one passenger drinking fountain mounted at a low position (for persons 

who use wheelchairs) and one mounted at a high position (for persons with difficulty

bending or stooping). V211.2. At the wheelchair accessible drinking fountain, the 

guidelines require knee and toe clearance and a clear deck space positioned for a forward 

approach. V602.2. The ferry representative proposed in the new designs to use the 

standard height drinking fountain for meeting the needs of persons with difficulty

bending or stooping, and installing a second drinking fountain for persons who use 

wheelchairs. To provide the clear deck space (30 inches by 48 inches), the seats near the 

drinking fountains were slightly moved in the new designs toward the center of the cabin. 

This move is estimated to have an insignificant impact of the use of the space. The ferry

representative also estimated the additional drinking fountain and related plumbing work 

would add $1,000 to the vessel’s construction costs8.

4. Toilet Rooms 

The proposed guidelines require the men’s and women’s toilet rooms to be accessible.9 

V213.2. The ferry representative proposed to reconfigure the toilet rooms and adjoining 

space to meet the guidelines. The engine room hatch and the wall near the air intake for 

the emergency generator would be moved to provide maneuvering clearance for the door 

to the men’s toilet room. V404.2.4. The location of the water closet and the sink would 

be switched in each toilet room, and the sink would be recessed into the wall 

approximately 18 inches to eliminate the overlap in the clearance around the water 

closet.

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 V604.3. Sufficient space is available for the proposed designs. In the women’s 

 

7

 The original designs for the ferry are based on “sister ship” designs. The estimate is for changing the 

“sister ship” designs.

8

 The proposed guidelines also require that where a drinking fountain is provided on decks not connected 

by an onboard accessible route to an entry deck (as permitted by the exceptions in V206.2.1), at least one 

passenger drinking fountain must be mounted at a low position (for persons who use wheelchairs) and one 

must be mounted at a high position (for persons with difficulty bending or stooping), and located on an 

entry deck or connected to an entry deck by an onboard accessible route. V211.1.1. As a platform lift 

connects the second deck, the drinking fountains on that deck are connected by an onboard accessible route 

to the main deck (the entry deck), and the requirement is satisfied.

9

 If the single-user toilet rooms were not designated for men and women, the proposed guidelines require 

only one of the toilet rooms to be accessible. V213.2 Exception 4. 

10

 The proposed guidelines permit the rear grab bar at the water closet to be at least 24 inches (instead of 

36 inches) long in this configuration. V604.5.2 Exception 1. 
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toilet room, the additional space is taken from a storage area located adjacent to the 

stairway to the engine room, and extends over a corner of the stairway. In the men’s 

toilet room, the additional space moves the platform lift location 18 to 24 inches toward 

the end of the vessel. The ferry representative estimated that the proposed toilet room 

designs would add $1,800 to the vessel’s construction costs.

Figure 4. Reconfigured Women's and Men's Toilet Rooms

5. Protruding Objects 

There are four exterior stairways on passenger circulation paths on the main and second 

decks. The proposed guidelines require guardrails or other barriers where the vertical 

clearance on passenger circulation paths is less than 80 inches high. V204.1 and V307.4. 

The ferry representative proposed to install guardrails under the four exterior stairways 

and estimated the guardrails would add $2,400 to the vessel’s construction costs.

6. Emergency Communications (new)

The vessel has an audible general emergency alarm which sounds in areas open to 

passengers and is assumed to notify passengers of emergencies. Therefore, the proposed 

guidelines require visible alarms to be provided to notify passengers of emergencies. 

V215.1. Adding visible alarms that serve external deck areas open to passengers and 

internal passenger spaces are estimated to increase the cost11 of the new vessel by $9,700.

In addition to a general alarm, the vessel has an installed public address system that is 

assumed to provide emergency information to passengers. Therefore, the proposed

guidelines require a vessel-wide assistive listening system to be provided serving all 

passenger areas. V219.2.2. A FM (frequency modulation) assistive listening system 

serving all passenger areas is estimated to increase the cost12 of the new vessel by $3,800. 

 

11 The cost of visual general alarms is new to the updated study and the ferry representation has not 

reviewed the results. The cost was estimated by using the results from the 120 passenger small cruise ship 

study that estimated 2008 visual alarms costs at about $0.86 to $1.08 per square feet. Adjusted to 2011, the 

average is $1.05. As the 40 car ferry has around 9,200 square feet of passenger area, the cost of coverage is 

estimated to be about $9,700.

12 The requirements of V219.2.2 are new to the updated study and the ferry representative has not reviewed 

the results. The vessel-wide ALS applies only to passenger areas, not crew only areas. No passenger areas 
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7. Electrical Power, Fuel Consumption, and Vessel Stability Impacts

The ferry has two 92 KW generators that have sufficient excess capacity to supply the 

platform lift. The ferry also has a 72 KW emergency generator that has sufficient excess 

capacity to power the platform lift when used as an accessible means of escape.13 The 

ferry representative estimated that it would cost $1,200 to connect the platform lift to the 

emergency generator. The platform lift has a low electrical demand. The ferry

representative expected the platform lift and other proposed designs to meet the proposed

guidelines would have minimal impact on vessel’s electrical power, fuel consumption, 

and stability. 

 

are assembly areas and the car deck is not a transportation seating area (TSA). Per V219.3, the number of 

receivers is determined by the number of fixed seats in TSA. In the new designs, the vessel has two TSA 

on the second deck with a maximum of 52 fixed seats. The ALS’s estimated cost is $3,800; it requires 3 

receivers with headsets/neckloops ($800), one FM transmitter with related support material ($1,400), and 

engineering, installation, and other expenses ($1,600).

13

 The proposed guidelines require at least two accessible means of escape (AMOE) from the second deck 

to the life raft embarkation stations on the main deck based on US Coast Guard requirements for two means 

of escape (MOE). V207.1. The guidelines would probably expect platform lifts to have emergency power 

when used as part of an AMOE so as to provide an equivalent level of protection. V207.1. The case study 

includes a $1,200 cost to connect the platform lift to the emergency generator enabling this platform lift to 

be part of one AMOE, as desired by the operator. For the two exit stairways (required for the two MOE), 

one was used in the new designs to be part of the second AMOE. Advisory V207.1. No protected waiting 

areas are expected at the bottom and top of the exterior exit stair (or platform lift), since these features are 

open to the weather. Advisory V207.1. The proposed guidelines do not establish any requirements for 

both of these stairways, excluding the protruding object provisions (see V204), so no change is necessary. 
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Other Outcomes

8. Accessible Route Within Main Deck14

The proposed guidelines require an accessible route to connect passenger entry points and 

accessible elements and spaces within a deck. V206.2.2 and V206.4. The main deck has 

sufficient space for an accessible route from the entry points at each end of the vessel to 

the stairways leading to the second deck without overlapping the vehicle lanes. The ferry

representative proposed to locate part of the accessible route to the platform lift and the 

toilet rooms in lane 1.

15

 The accessible route would overlap lane 1 for approximately 60

feet. The guidelines do not prohibit vehicles from occupying the space containing the 

accessible route (and the accessible means of escape). V403.1. Therefore, no parking 

spaces were lost in order to provide the accessible route16. 

Figure 5. Main Deck – Proposed Accessible Route

9. Transportation Seating 

There are 54 fixed seats on the second deck in two transportation seating areas. One area, 

the interior seats of the enclosed passenger lounge (cabin), contains 12 seats at two tables 

and 18 other seats not at tables. The second area is exterior and contains 24 bench seats 

located along the side of the lounge. Based on the 54 transportation seats provided, the 

proposed guidelines require one wheelchair space. V222.3.1. The case study provides 

three options for the new vessel designs. 

 

14

 The second deck has sufficient space for an accessible route to connect the accessible elements and 

spaces within the deck.

15

 The ferry representative did not propose to locate part of the accessible route in lane 2 because heavier 

vehicles are positioned along the centerline of the vessel in lane 2.

16

 It should be noted that outside the design, construction and alteration requirements of the proposed 

guidelines, other ADA provisions in the regulations from DOT and DOJ may require vehicle lanes to 

remain open in certain areas to provide clear accessible routes and accessible means of escape for 

passengers with disabilities when the need arises.
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Options 1 and 2 - Place one wheelchair space at a table in the lounge which required the 

removal of four fixed seats17, or locate it at a non-table seat which would require the 

removal of two seats.

Figure 6. Options 1 and 2 – Proposed Wheelchair Space Location in Lounge

(and Clear Deck Space at One Drinking Fountain)

Options 3 – Place the wheelchair space in the exterior bench seating area which would 

require the removal of seating for three passengers. 

Figure 7. Option 3 – Proposed Wheelchair Space Location Outside the Lounge

(and Clear Deck Space at One Drinking Fountain in Lounge)

Therefore, to provide one wheelchair space, two to four seats would need removal, 

leaving 50 to 52 as the total number of fixed seats available. This action is estimated to 

have an insignificant impact on the new vessel’s construction costs and passenger seating 

needs.

 

17

 As the wheelchair is approached from the side, it is required to be 60 inches long (and 36 inches wide). 

This length required a portion (two seats) of another lounge bench to be removed. 
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Summary

The ferry representative estimated the cost for constructing the vessel based on the 

original designs to be approximately $8 million in 2006 dollars, updated to $9.56 million 

in 2011 dollars. The platform lift and other proposed designs to meet the proposed

guidelines would add from $258,800 to $318,800 (average of $288,800) to the vessel’s 

(updated) construction costs, or a 3.0 percent increase. Over 70 percent of the additional 

costs are attributed to the platform lift. Two to four fixed seats were lost on the second 

deck and one wheelchair space and one drinking fountain were added. The cost estimates 

are summarized below.

40 Car Vehicle Ferry 2006 Estimate 2011 Estimate

(average/rounded)

Construction Cost (original vessel) $8M $9.56M

Emergency Communications (update) 13,500

Platform Lift & Additional Deck Surface 150,000 - 200,000 209,000

Main Deck Slope and Cross Slope 50,000 59,700

Guardrails under Stairways 2,000 2,400

Toilet Rooms 1,500 1,800

Additional Drinking Fountain 1,000 1,200

Connect Platform Lift to Emergency

Generator

1,000 1,200

Total (% increase) $217,700 – 267,700 

(2.7% – 3.2%)

$288,800

(3.0%)