### Soon after the March 5**, 2014, conference call**  **( in creating new subcommittees**  **) , the Rail** 

**Vehicles Access Advisory Committee dissolved the Interior Vertical Circulation (Vertical Access) Subcommittee** **, replacing it with the newly**  **created On -**  **board Circulation Subcommittee. The following materials**  **( used in the March 5 conference call**  **on vertical access)**  **have been placed in the electronic docket under the heading**  **“On -**  **b oard Circulation**  **Subcommittee Meeting #1 .**  **”**

### U.S. Access Board: Rail Vehicle **s Access Advisor** **y Committee Subcommittee on**  **Interior Vertical Circulation ( Vertical Access**  **)**

**Teleconference March 5, 2014 1:00**  **– 3:00 Eastern**  **Draft Agenda 1.0**  Introductions **2.0** Approval of the Agenda **3.0** Discussion of s ubcommittee scope and objectives **4.0** 

### Vertical Access Discussion **4.1** Understand c urrent law and regulations **4.2** Identify modes that may provide bi
- level cars **4.3** Brainstorming **A.** general principles **B.** potential locations to be addressed **C.** amenities and other considerations **4.4** Identify potential recommendations **4.5** Identify potential benefits **4.6** Identify potential costs **4.7** Identify resources needed to support potential recommendations **4.8** Develop rationale for recommendations **5.0** Planning **5.1** Develop Action Items **5.2** Assign Duties and Tasks **5.3** Establish Deadlines for Deliverables **6.0** Next M eeting **7.0** Public Comments **8.0** Closing Remarks**Rail Vehicles A ccess**  **Advisory Committee Subcommittee**  **on On**  **- board Circulation** 

**February**

**27, 2014**

**Scope:** The scope of this subcommittee is to review the current requirements for accessible on - board circulation in the Access Board’s Rail Vehicle s Accessibility Guidelines , which were originally issued in September, 1991 and have not been updated since that time. **Objective:** Recommend proposed revisions to update, improve or expand the scoping and technical criteria in order to ensure an acceptable level of access for individuals with disabilities on rapid rail, light rail, commuter rail, intercity rail and other fixed guideway vehicles and systems covered under the Board’s current guidelines. These recommendati ons will be based on current regulations and consideration of changes that have taken place in vehicle structure, technology and the needs and desires of people with disabilities.

**Tasks:** The subcommittee will address :

 Characteristics of circulation path s including aisle widths, walking surfaces, protruding objects, maneuvering clearances within vestibules, changes in level, thresholds , lighting , and other onboard circulation features ;  Interior d oors and doorway features and operation;  O n - board lift or ot her level change device to access upper and/or lower levels of bi - level cars, especially dome or viewing cars;  Access to and within special cars, e.g., observation cars, dining cars, lounge cars ;  Escape and Egress ; and  Other on - board circulation issues th at may become important during subcommittee discussions. **Timetable:** Complete the review and recommendations by October 2014 , for consideration by the full committee

.

### Bi **- level Access Constraints**  **Americans with Disabilities Act -**  **Intercity and Commuter Rail Provisions**  **P.L. 101 -**  **336 (July 26, 1990), as amended by P.L. 110 –** **325 (September 25, 2008) (Excerpts from RVAAC email from November 7, 2013)**  **§242. INTERCITY AND COMMUTER RAIL ACTIONS CONSIDERED DISCRIMINATORY. §242(a) Intercity Rail Transportation.**  **§242(a)(2) New intercity cars.** §242(a)(2)(D) Special rule for bi

- level dining cars for individuals who use wheelchairs. Bi
- level dining cars shall not be required to §242(a)(2)(D)(i) be able to be entered by an individual who uses a wheelchair; §242(a)(2)( D)(ii) have space to park and secure a wheelchair; §242(a)(2)(D)(iii) have a seat to which a passenger in a wheelchair can transfer, or a space to fold and store such passenger's wheelchair; or §242(a)(2)(D)(iv) have a restroom usable by an individual who uses a wheelchair. **§242(a)(4) Food service.** §242(a)(4)(B) Bi

- level dining cars. On any train in which a bi
- level dining car is used to provide food service §242(a)(4)(B)(i) if such train includes a bi

- level lounge car purchased after the date of enactment of this Act, table service in such lounge car shall be provided to individuals who use wheelchairs and to other passengers; and §242(a)(4)(B)(ii) appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including a hard surface on which to eat, shall be provided to ensur e that other equivalent food service is available to individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs, and to passengers traveling with such individuals.