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February 2015 

Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee

Report

Full length level boarding should be the highest priority and most preferred method of 

boarding on all rail modes, whether light rail, rapid rail, intercity rail, and/or commuter 

rail. 

When full length level boarding is not required or possible, boarding should be, as often 

as possible, by ramp or bridge-plate as the primary 100% reliable and quick means for 

boarding. Mechanical lifts should be a back-up alternative when necessary. Where 

mechanical lifts are needed, they should be car-borne, not station-based.

NOTES: The underlined red text below indicates sections that include new material that 

differs from the current Access Board Guidelines. 

Text in [brackets] indicates references to specifications for elements that need to be 

filled in. Access Board staff assistance is requested to calculate accurate metric 

specifications that correspond to inches/pounds. 

Bulleted Text in Italics and all capitols is the Rationale.

Scoping

 General. 

o Rapid rail (e.g., subway) and High-speed rail cars purchased after the 

effective date of these requirements (to be determined by DOT) shall be 

designed for full-length platform level boarding [using the same definition 

of level-entry boarding as in the DOT ADA regulation issued in 2011] and 

meet the provisions of this section. In stations constructed on or after 

January 26, 1992, all car doors through which passengers board and 

alight shall meet the gap requirements set forth below. In stations 

constructed prior to January 26, 1992, at least one door serving each on 

board seating area for wheelchairs and mobility aids shall meet these 

requirements. 

o Rationale: This was essentially required under the current regulations but 

is being restated to show the somewhat differing requirements for different 

modes. Rapid rail and high speed rail have the most stringent 

requirements for boarding all cars for the full length of the platform with 

minimal horizontal and vertical gaps.
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o All doors on light rail cars and commuter rail cars operating exclusively at 

level boarding station platforms shall comply with the gap requirements. 

At least one door through which passengers board and alight on each side 

serving each on-board seating area for wheelchairs and mobility aids of 

intercity rail cars, and commuter rail cars operating at mixed high and low 

platforms, shall meet these requirements. 

o Rational: This requires all new light rail cars and commuter cars to be 

designed to meet gap requirements and have at least one accessible door 

which provides access to the on-board seating area for wheelchair and 

mobility aid users. The requirement recognizes that platforms on many 

existing light rail and commuter rail lines will have a mix of high and low 

platforms and mini-highs.

o All doors on AGT (people mover) cars operating at speeds of 20 mph or 

slower shall meet the requirements for “people movers” set forth below.

 Boarding and Alighting. All new rail and fixed guideway vehicles shall be 

compatible with level boarding. All steps shall incorporate a trap to cover the 

steps and bring the car floor level to the doorway. Doorways shall have a 

minimum vertical clearance of 74 inches from the closed trap to the lintel. 

 Gaps. Wherever either or both of the conditions in (i) and (ii) are met, a carborne ramp or bridgeplate or a car-borne lift shall be employed:

o (i) the horizontal gap between the boarding platform and the vehicle floor 

exceeds 2 inches

o (ii) the vertical difference between the boarding platform height and the 

vehicle floor exceeds plus or minus 5/8 inches.

o Rationale: This recognizes the reality that the gaps in the original 

accessibility regulations were difficult to achieve in intercity, commuter rail 

and some light rail systems and requires intercity, commuter and light rail 

cars to provide a car-borne ramp or bridgeplate to mitigate the gap.

 People Movers. The horizontal gap between platform and car floor shall not 

exceed 1 inch (25 mm). The vertical difference between platform and car floor 

shall not exceed plus or minus 5/8 inch.
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o Rationale: Because of the nature of people movers which operate on 

exclusive right of ways and travel at lower speeds, they should be able to 

be designed and constructed to meet these tolerances.

 Operation. Where car doors open automatically at platforms designed for level 

boarding, ramps and bridgeplates shall deploy automatically. Deployment shall

be integrated with door opening and closing. Manually deployed ramps and 

bridgeplates shall be permitted where doors are opened by train personnel and 

where the horizontal gap exceeds 12 inches (300 mm).

 Advisory Operation, The Committee recognizes that any gap between a rail 

vehicle and a platform can be a safety hazard for all travelers. The Committee 

recommends that the Board require all entries on new vehicles to have 

automated bridgeplates or ramps where gaps exist at platforms by the year 

2020. 

o Rationale: Based on examples of automated ramps or bridgeplates being 

used in some European rail systems, the majority of the committee felt that 

automated ramps or bridgeplates for new rail cars beginning in the third 

decade of the 21st century were not beyond reach. The majority of committee 

members felt that based on videos they had seen of automated ramps or 

bridgeplates on European equipment, provision of automated ramps or 

bridgeplates would increase safety for all passengers (by mitigating the 

vertical and horizontal gaps) and would speed boarding and alighting and 

therefore reduce dwell time.

You Tube Videos of automated gap fillers from some European Trains. Gap 

fillers in use are visible at beginning of each of these videos:

Liepzig - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSwPYrkzUyc#t=4m51s

Stuttgart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv_Dp6i8ev0

Vienna - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yjbnkraBCQ#t=0m30s

OBJECTION/CONCERN REGARDING AUTOMATED RAMPS OR BRIDGEPLATES

Rationale: At least one large transit authority that operates both commuter rail 

and rapid rail raised strong concerns that automated ramps or bridgeplates would 

pose safety hazards to both passengers on the platforms and passengers on the 

rail cars. The concerns involved keeping passengers on the platforms away from 

the deploying ramp or bridgeplates. The agency also raised technical concerns 

that an automated ramp or bridgeplate would be difficult to design to meet the 

largest vertical and horizontal gaps in the system. The agency raised concerns 

that elements of an automated ramp or bridgeplate within the car could present a 
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tripping hazard in the car. The agency also raised technical concerns about the 

complexity, cost, weight, reliability (particularly in adverse weather conditions), 

and safety interlockings of what it envisioned to be a complicated mechanism 

provided to every door of a commuter rail or rapid rail car.

Ramps and Bridgeplates

 General. Ramps and bridgeplates shall comply with this section. Ramps and 

bridgeplates shall be permitted to fold or telescope if all the technical 

requirements are met.

Rationale: The Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee considered gap fillers (carborne or station-based devices or materials that are used to reduce the 

horizontal and/or vertical gap between the platform and the vehicle). Discussion 

revealed considerable concerns related to their maintenance as well as incidents 

of entrapment. The Subcommittee encourages further development on these 

devices to resolve these problems.

 Design Load. The design load of ramps and bridgeplates 30 inches (760 mm) 

or more in length shall be 800 pounds (364 kg) minimum. The design load of 

ramps and bridgeplates less than 30 inches (760 mm) in length shall be 400 

pounds (182 kg) minimum. Ramps and bridgeplates shall have a design safety 

factor of at least 3, based on the ultimate strength of the material.

o Advisory Design Load. The design load is the weight the ramp or 

bridgeplate is designed to support without damage or permanent 

deformation. Some deflection may occur under maximum load.

Rationale: The increase in design load reflects the research that the combined 

weight of power wheelchairs and users is increasing and the industry is providing 

higher capacity lifts and higher capacity lifts will likely be provided in the new 

Access Board’s non-rail vehicle accessibility guidelines.

 Handrails. Handrails complying with [fill in latest version of specifications for 

Handrails, Stanchions, and Handholds] shall be provided on ramps and 

bridgeplates where the horizontal gap between the platform and car floor 

exceeds 12 inches (300 mm).

Rationale: This recognized that in some circumstances longer ramps and 

bridgeplates are necessary and thus handrails are needed in these situations. 
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(i.e. Amtrak set-back platforms in Maine have a considerable horizontal gap to 

provide clearance for freight trains using the same track)

 Clear Width. The ramp and bridgeplate clear width shall be 32 inches (800 mm)

minimum.

o Advisory Clear Width. A wider ramp or bridgeplate is recommended 

because it is more usable by passengers who use wheelchairs, and 

accommodates a broader range of passengers with disabilities. The ramp 

or bridgeplate can be nearly as wide as the door.

 Attachment. When used for boarding and alighting, ramps and bridgeplates 

shall be firmly attached to the vehicle, shall not be subject to displacement from 

the vehicle, and shall overlap the platform. Ramps and bridgeplates shall 

engage to the vehicle in such a manner that they may not be dislodged by 

horizontal or vertical movement until actively disengaged by a member of the 

crew.

Rationale: This was added based on some experience of wheeled mobility 

device users who reported situations when ramps and bridgeplates were not 

securely connected to the rail car.

 Manual Operation. Power operated ramps and bridgeplates shall be capable of 

being operated manually and in a manner that is safe for the occupant and 

operator if the power fails.

 Surfaces. Ramp and bridgeplate surfaces shall comply with [fill in latest version 

of specifications for Surfaces], and shall be uninterrupted from edge to edge.

o Advisory Surfaces. Ramp and bridgeplate surfaces must be 

uninterrupted from edge to edge to accommodate three-wheel scooters.

Expanded metal or perforated materials are permitted, as long as the 

openings comply with [fill in latest version of specifications for Openings].

 Edge Barriers. The edges of ramps and bridgeplates shall have barriers 2 

inches (51 mm) high minimum extending from the vehicle doorway to 6 inches 

from the outer end, and shall taper down smoothly.

 Slope. Ramps and bridgeplates shall have slopes not steeper than 1:8 (12.5 

percent) when deployed to station platforms, measured at 50 percent passenger 

load.

o Advisory Slope. The Department of Transportation regulations at 49 

CFR 37.165(f) requires vehicle operators to assist passengers with 
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disabilities with the use of boarding devices, even if the vehicle operators 

must leave their seats. Providing ramps and bridgeplates with the least 

possible slope accommodates a broader range of passengers with 

disabilities and minimizes the need for assistance.

 Transitions. Surface discontinuities at transitions from boarding and alighting 

areas to ramps and bridgeplates shall comply with [fill in latest version of 

specifications for Surface Discontinuities].

 Visual Contrast. The perimeter of the ramp and bridgeplate surface shall be 

outlined. The outline shall be 1 inch (25 mm) wide minimum and shall contrast 

visually with the rest of the ramp and bridgeplate surface either light-on-dark or 

dark-on-light.

 Gaps. When deployed for boarding and alighting, gaps between the ramp or 

bridgeplate surface and vehicle floor, and the ramp or bridgeplate surface and 

the station platform, shall not permit passage of a sphere more than 5/8 inch (16 

mm) in diameter.

 Stowage. Where portable ramps or bridgeplates are permitted, a compartment, 

securement system, or other method shall be provided within the vehicle to stow 

the ramps and bridgeplates when not in use. When stowed in passenger areas, 

portable ramps and bridgeplates shall not pose a hazard to passengers, and 

shall not interfere with the maneuvering of wheelchairs.

Lifts

General.

 Design Load. The lift design load shall be 800 pounds (364 kg) minimum. Load 

carrying components that are subject to wear shall have a design safety factor of 

at least six, based on the ultimate strength of the material. Other components 

that are not subject to wear shall have a design safety factor of at least three, 

based on the ultimate strength of the material.

Rationale: Same as above for ramps, consistency with proposed regulations for 

non-rail vehicles.

Controls.

 Interlocks. Lift controls shall be interlocked with the vehicle brakes, 

transmission, propulsion system, or door, or shall provide other systems to 
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prevent the vehicle from moving when the lift is not stowed. Lift controls shall not 

be operable unless the interlocks are engaged.

 Sequence. Lift controls shall be of a momentary contact type requiring 

continuous manual pressure. Lift controls shall permit the operator to change the 

operation sequence. Lift controls shall not permit the lift platform to be folded, 

retracted, or stowed when occupied, unless the platform is designed to be 

occupied when stowed in the passenger area of the vehicle.

o Advisory Sequence. A rotary lift is an example of a lift platform that is 

designed to be occupied when the platform is rotated into a stowed 

position in the passenger area of the vehicle.

 Manual Operation. Lifts shall be capable of being operated manually if the 

power to the lift fails. The manual operation shall be safe for the occupant and 

operator when operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When 

operated manually, the lift platform shall deploy and lower to the boarding and 

alighting area or the roadway with an occupant; shall rise to the vehicle floor 

without an occupant; and shall stow. The lift platform shall not fold, retract, or 

stow when occupied, unless the platform is designed to be occupied when 

stowed in the passenger area of the vehicle. Doors that must be opened to allow 

the lift to operate shall have interior and exterior manual releases.

Lift Platforms.

 Surfaces. Lift platform surfaces shall comply with general provisions for 

accessible routes [fill in latest version of specifications for Surfaces].

 Size. The lift platform clear width shall be 32 inches (800 mm) minimum

measured from the platform surface to 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum above the 

platform surface. The lift platform clear length shall be 54 inches (1372 mm)

minimum measured from the platform surface to 40 inches (1015 mm) above the 

platform surface.

Rationale: Same as above for ramps, consistency with proposed regulations for 

non-rail vehicles.

 Edge Barriers. Lift platforms shall have edge barriers complying with [fill in 

latest version of specifications for Lift Edge Barriers] to prevent the wheels of 

wheelchairs from rolling off the platforms. Openings between lift platform 

surfaces and raised barriers shall not permit passage of a sphere 5/8 inch (16 

mm) in diameter. Edge barriers shall not interfere with the maneuvering of 

wheelchairs.

 Gaps. When the lift platform is at the vehicle floor level and any edge barrier is 

lowered, the gap between the platform surface and the vehicle floor shall not 

permit passage of a sphere 5/8 inch (16 mm) in diameter.
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 Threshold Ramps. Threshold ramps from boarding and alighting areas to lift 

platforms and edge barriers used as threshold ramps shall have slopes not 

steeper than 1:8 (12.5 percent) for a rise of 3 inches (75 mm) maximum. The 

slope shall be measured when the lift platform is level. Surface discontinuities at 

transitions from boarding and alighting areas to threshold ramps shall comply 

with [fill in latest version of specifications for Surface Discontinuities].

 Visual Contrast. The perimeter of the lift platform surface shall be outlined. The 

outline shall be 1 inch (25 mm) wide minimum and shall contrast visually with the 

rest of the platform surface either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

 Deflection. When occupied, lift platforms shall be permitted to deflect 3 degrees 

maximum in any direction with respect to the platform’s unloaded position, 

exclusive of vehicle roll or pitch.

 Movement. Lift platform movement shall comply with the following:

o Normal Operating Conditions. When occupied, lift platforms shall move 

at a rate of 6 inches/second (150 mm/second) maximum, and the 

horizontal and vertical acceleration shall be 0.3g maximum under normal 

operating conditions. When folding, retracting, or stowing, lift platforms 

shall move at a rate of 12 inches/second (306 mm/second) maximum 

under normal operating conditions, unless the platform is folded and 

stowed manually.

o Power or Equipment Failure. In the event of a power failure or single 

failure of any load carrying component, lift platforms that are occupied or 

are stowed in a vertical position shall move at rate of 12 inches/second 

(306 mm/second) maximum.

 Boarding Direction. Lift platforms shall permit passengers who use wheelchairs 

to board the platforms facing either toward or away from the vehicle.

 Standees. Lift platforms shall be usable by passengers who use walkers, 

crutches, canes, or braces or who otherwise have difficulty using steps. Lift 

platforms shall be permitted to be marked to indicate a preferred standing 

position.

 Handrails. Lifts platforms shall have handrails complying with general provisions 

for handrails [refer to latest version of specifications for Handrails, Stanchions, 

and Handholds] on two sides of the platform that move in tandem with the 

platform to provide support for passengers in a standing position. Handrails shall 

have a usable gripping surface 8 inches (205 mm) long minimum. The gripping 

surface shall be 30 inches (760 mm) minimum and 38 inches (965 mm) 

maximum above the lift platform surface. Handrails shall not interfere with the 

maneuvering of wheelchairs.