Scoping

T601 General. All doors on rapid rail (e.g., subway) and high-speed rail cars through which passengers 

board and alight shall comply with T601.1. All doors on light rail cars and commuter rail cars operating 

exclusively at high level platforms shall comply with T601.1. At least one door on each side of intercity 

rail cars, and commuter rails cars operating at mixed high and low platforms, through which passengers 

board and alight shall comply with T601.1. All doors on AGT (people mover) cars operating at speeds of 

20 mph or slower shall comply with T601.2.

T601.1 Boarding and Alighting. All new rail and fixed guideway vehicles shall be compatible with level 

boarding from a high platform. 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 80” (?) from the closed 

trap to the lintel. 

T601.1.1 Gaps. Wherever either or both of the conditions in (i) and (ii) are met, a car-borne ramp or 

bridgeplate complying with section T303 or a car-borne lift complying with section T302 shall be 

employed:

(i) the horizontal gap between the boarding platform and the vehicle floor exceeds 2 inches

(ii) the vertical difference between the boarding platform height and the vehicle floor exceeds 

plus or minus 5/8 inches.

T601.1.2 People Movers. The horizontal gap between platform and car floor shall not exceed 25 mm (1

inch). The vertical difference between platform and car floor shall not exceed plus or minus 5/8 inch.

T601.2 Operation. Where car doors open automatically at high-level platforms, ramps and bridgeplates 

shall deploy automatically prior to door opening and stow automatically after doors close. Manually 

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

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

T303 Ramps and Bridgeplates

T303.1 General. Ramps and bridgeplates shall comply with T303. Ramps and bridgeplates shall be 

permitted to fold or telescope if all the requirements of T303 are met.

T303.2 Design Load. The design load of ramps and bridgeplates 760 mm (30 inches) or more in length 

shall be 364 kg (800 pounds) minimum. The design load of ramps and bridgeplates less than 760 mm 

(30 inches) in length shall be 182 kg (400 pounds) minimum. Ramps and bridgeplates shall have a design 

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

Advisory T303.2 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.
T303.3 Attachment. When used for boarding and alighting, ramps and bridgeplates shall be firmly 

attached to the vehicle and shall not be subject to displacement from the vehicle.

T303.4 Emergency 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.

T303.5 Surfaces. Ramp and bridgeplate surfaces shall comply with T802, and shall be uninterrupted 

from edge to edge.

Advisory T303.5 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 T802.3.

T303.6 Clear Width. The ramp and bridgeplate clear width shall be 800 mm (32 inches) minimum.

Advisory T303.6 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.

T303.7 Edge Barriers. The edges of ramps and bridgeplates that are more than 75 mm (3 inches) above 

the boarding and alighting area level shall have barriers 51 mm (2 inches) high minimum.

T303.8 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.

Advisory T303.8 Slope. The Department of Transportation regulations at 49 CFR 37.165(f) require 

vehicle operators to assist passengers with 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.

T303.9 Transitions. Surface discontinuities at transitions from boarding and alighting areas to ramps 

and bridgeplates shall comply with T802.5.

T303.10 Visual Contrast. The perimeter of the ramp and bridgeplate surface shall be outlined. The 

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

bridgeplate surface either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

T303.11 Gaps. When deployed for boarding and alighting, gaps between the ramp or bridgeplate 

surface and vehicle floor shall not permit passage of a sphere more than 16 mm (5/8 inch) in diameter.

T303.12 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.

T303.13 Handrails. Handrails complying with T804 shall be provided on ramps and bridgeplates where 

the horizontal gap between platform and car floor exceeds 300 mm (12 inches).
T302 Lifts

T302.1 General. Lifts shall comply with T302.

T302.2 Design Load. The lift design load shall be 364 kg (800 pounds) 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.

T302.3 Controls. Lift controls shall comply with T302.3.

T302.3.1 Interlocks. Lift controls shall be interlocked with the vehicle brakes, transmission, 

propulsion system, or door, or shall provide other systems to prevent the vehicle from moving 

when the lift is not stowed. Lift controls shall not be operable unless the interlocks are engaged.

T302.3.2 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.

Advisory T302.3.2 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.

T302.4 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.

T302.5 Platforms. Lift platforms shall comply with T302.5.

T302.5.1 Surfaces. Lift platform surfaces shall comply with T802.

T302.5.2 Size. The lift platform clear width shall be 800 mm (32 inches) minimum measured 

from the platform surface to 1015 mm (40 inches) minimum above the platform surface. The lift 

platform clear length shall be 1372 mm (54 inches) minimum measured from the platform 

surface to 1015 mm (40 inches) above the platform surface.

T302.5.3 Edge Barriers. Lift platforms shall have edge barriers complying with Table T302.5.3 

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 16 mm (5⁄8 inch) in 

diameter. Edge barriers shall not interfere with the maneuvering of wheelchairs.

T302.5.4 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 16 mm (5⁄8 inch) in diameter.

T302.5.5 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 75 mm (3 inches) 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 T802.5.

T302.5.6 Visual Contrast. The perimeter of the lift platform surface shall be outlined. The 

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

platform surface either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

T302.5.7 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.

T302.5.8 Movement. Lift platform movement shall comply with T302.5.8.

T302.5.8.1 Normal Operating Conditions. When occupied, lift platforms shall move at a rate 

of 150 mm/second (6 inches/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 306 mm/second (12 inches/second) maximum under normal 

operating conditions, unless the platform is folded and stowed manually.

T302.5.8.2 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 306 mm/second (12 inches/second) maximum.

T302.5.9 Boarding Direction. Lift platforms shall permit passengers who use wheelchairs to 

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

T302.5.10 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.

T302.5.11 Handrails. Lifts platforms shall have handrails complying with T804 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 205 mm (8 inches) long 

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

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

wheelchairs.