Use of Mobility Devices on Paratransit Vehicles and Buses (2014)

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44 C H A P T E R 8 Research Product It is anticipated that a significant result of this research proj- ect will be a “roadmap” to harmonization of standards that impact the use of mobility devices on paratransit vehicles and buses. Product Market Harmonized standards pertaining to the size and use of mobility devices on paratransit vehicles and buses as well as other modes of public transportation will benefit all stake- holders, including: (i) people who use mobility devices; (ii) mobility device manufacturers; (iii) retailers, government and insurance agencies that fund mobility devices; (iv) allied health professionals, who prescribe mobility devices; (v) transit agencies (local, regional and state); (vi) manufacturers of vehicles; (vii) vehicle access technologies including lifts, ramps and boarding devices; (viii) manufacturers of mobility device securement and occupant restraint systems; (ix) fare collection devices; and (x) agencies that regulate or oversee regulations and standards for mobility devices. Implementation Challenges The project team recognizes that there are institutional, operational and technical challenges that need to be over- come. The team also acknowledges that due diligence must be applied in implementation to insure that professional ethical standards are maintained. Engaging WhMD Industry and DME Dealers The survey respondents completed only a few questions on the survey. Currently, a small number of U.S. wheelchair manufacturers participate in providing wheeled mobility devices that are compliant with WC-19 standards. Engaging Funding and Insurance Agencies There is a need to raise awareness of the transportation needs of WhMD users during the prescription process. Transporta- tion is an essential element for independent living, education and employment. There is a need to expand collaborations between local DME providers, insurance and funding agen- cies as well as the Allied Health Community. These collabora- tions may have more of an impact in small- and medium-sized communities. Agencies that fund WhMDs should be strongly encouraged or required to pay for modifications that make the WhMD WC-19 compliant and or “transit safe” if the user will remain seated in their devices during transport. This effort would not include walkers. Leadership for Implementation Leadership for change comes from stakeholder groups, the government and insurance agencies that fund mobil- ity devices and the allied health professionals who prescribe them. Manufacturers of vehicles, equipment, and mobility devices can initiate and lead changes in their respective fields. Professional Organizations of allied health professionals may assist in the prescription of and development of voluntary standards for WhMDs. All the stakeholders must be included in the implementation process. Implementation Steps The roadmap should be implemented in steps that include activities in the short term (1–3 years), medium term Implementation Plan

45 (3–5 years), and long term (over 5 years). In the short term, the best practices provide evidence for short term changes and opportunities for stakeholders to adapt or adopt immediately. For the medium term, the research results suggest the need for regulatory reform. In addition, the transit industry is already producing and marketing technologies that make transit safe for all transit users, but the transit agencies need to procure them. The involvement of key stakeholders will bring about improvements in recommended practice, while being mindful that reform will also require staged implementation. In the long term, it is anticipated that the transit vehicles, mobility devices and related technologies will comply with standards that are harmonized across the U.S. and Canada, and the results will be public transportation that is safe, seamless and dignified. New Opportunities: Collaborations/Partnerships Short Term. There are several recommendations that are low cost and have immediate impact. Many transit agen- cies host open houses and invite people who use WhMDs to come and practice boarding transit vehicles. Some of these agencies also offer free “tether straps” and free installations by trained professionals. These straps help vehicle operators attach belt type securement systems to WhMD that are not equipped with WC-19 compliant attachment points. Most power chairs have areas where the tether straps can be safely attached; however many three- and four-wheeled scooters do not have any safe attachment areas for either tether straps or securement systems. Other events involve collaboration between transit agencies and local durable medical equipment dealers. These events provide an opportunity for familiarization of the durable medical equipment (DME) dealers with the access challenges of public transportation vehicles. In turn, these can help the dealers provide more informed advice to clients who purchase WhMDs to use on public transport vehicles. Providing DME dealers with the opportunity to try boarding different models of WhMDs on transit buses is an education for all. In some cities, transit agencies reach out to local chapters of allied health professional groups and provide educational seminars on access to paratransit vehicle and buses. This also provides an opportunity to impact the rehabilitation process and ensure that WhMDs that will be used in private and pub- lic vehicles are safe for transport. Mobility training as part of the rehabilitation process also improves the success of inde- pendent community living. There are a number of larger transit agencies in North America that construct a mock-up that uses the front section of a transit vehicle and for orientation and training purposes. Often the mock-up is combined with an ADA eligibility center and permits potential customers the opportunity to practice maneuvering on and off a bus without an audience. There are emerging best practices that will in time impact access to paratransit vehicles and buses. For paratransit, these include low floor paratransit vehicles that include access at the front door with large vestibules that accommodate larger WhMDs and provide seating and securement space between the two axles. There are some models of transit buses that have larger ves- tibules with up to 38 in. for a turning radius, other vehicles have flat vestibules and the fare box is cantilevered to minimize impact on the turning area. There are also transit vehicles that use rear-facing securement and provide two or more wheel- chair locations on the vehicle. On large transit buses such as articulated vehicles that operate in BRT service, center door access accommodates oversize WhMDs. Some operators with rear-facing securement have developed aisle side containment systems that are fixed to the padded rear board. This increases interior circulation by removing an aisle stanchion. Research has also shown that new belt securement sys- tems that are specifically designed for transit buses and are equipped with retractors reduce driver involvement and driver accident claims. In addition, new belt securement systems that have been designed for paratransit vehicles are popular with drivers as they also reduce driver involvement during the securement operation. Medium and Long Term. The research activities related to TCRP Project C-20 showed a strong desire for more defi- nition of transportable WhMDs. This included realizing that WhMDs are larger, and heavier than the common WhMD that was defined in the original ADAAG, and that the current broad definition is a challenge for many stakeholders. The project suggests increasing the length of the footprint to 54 in., increas- ing the weight of the occupied WhMD to 800 pounds and including a turning radius of 39 in. as a measure of maneu- verability. In addition, it is strongly recommended that all WhMD that are occupied during transport meet the WC-19 requirements. Other long-term recommendations include, designing low floor paratransit vehicles and buses that have flat vestibules that permit a 39-in. turning radius. Paratransit operators who provide securement systems that minimize driver involve- ment are experiencing a reduction in operator injury claims that have been attributed to the new securement technology. Table 18 shows the suggested short-, medium- and long- term implementation strategies. Roadmap to Change Vision of the Future Partnerships • Encourage local and regional partnership between DME dealers, rehabilitation centers and public transportation

46 Item Implementation Short term 1-3 years Implementation Medium term 3-5 years Implementation Long term Over 5 years Paratransit layout Increase use of low floor vehicles with ramp. Wheelchair position between front and rear axle. Place for service animals. Provide seats for obese passengers; Increase floor area for forward facing with 4 anchor belt type securement. Comply with standards that are harmonized across the U.S. Users Develop training manuals and websites for scooter users to access public vehicles Fixed route vehicle Lay-out Use of cantilevered fare boxes to increase turning radius in vestibule. Use of center door access to reduce maneuvering floor space Use of 3 g securement environment Mobility devices Develop definition for mobility devices for length, weight, turning radius Implement standards for transportable mobility devices for all public transportation Mobility device manufacturers Install hardware for attachment points, WC-19. Advise customers of mobility devices about the limits of transportability on public vehicles Provide basic training for use of motorized mobility devices in public transportation Operations Carriers to publicize widely policies for the safe transport of WhMD. Reduce risk for assisting person with mobility devices, e.g., boarding, securement Establish risk management policy; Provide open doors, rodeos for access practice by users Implement risk management policies for operators/users Training Establish training policy; provide regular Training and refresher for operators Develop training manuals, and websites Implement training manuals Lifts Increase length of lift platforms to 54 inches; increase payload to 800 pounds plus Implement for all lift equipped vehicles Implement standards Ramps Low floor vehicles with 1:6 ramp slope; increase payload to 800 pounds plus Implement 1:6 slope for all situations where boarding from road level may occur Implement standards Fare payment Cantilevered fare boxes; touch or touch less systems; develop standards Implement touch or touch less systems in addition to cantilevered fare boxes Implement standards Securements Apply securement in 3 g environments Develop new forward facing systems without tie- down straps Comply with standards that are harmonized across the US and Canada Public forums/Advisory Committees Organize regular public forums with manufacturers, users, regulators and funding agencies to discuss common issues Update guidelines based on forum outcomes Update guidelines based on forum outcomes Standardization Harmonize standards for all public transportation modes ongoing ongoing Table 18. Suggested short-, medium- and long-term implementation strategies.

47 providers to clearly delineate size and types of WhMDs that can safely be transported • Work to develop “ADA eligibility centers” that provide opportunities for travel training including boarding and securing on buses Standards New and defined parameters for WhMD that are transported on paratransit vehicles and buses will bring consistency for WhMD users and the transit industry. Transit Industry • Low floor paratransit vehicles and transit buses, with suf- ficiently large vestibules that accommodate a 39 in. turning radius or the use of center loading doors • Development and deployment of driver friendly securement systems for 20 g vehicles including small minivans • For rear facing securement systems, wider deployment of aisle side containment devices that don’t impede interior circulation or standee passengers • For large BRT transit vehicles research the feasibility of side facing securement WhMD Industry • Encourage design and marketing of WhMD that meet or exceed WC-19 requirements Institutional Change • Train allied health professionals and DME dealers to consider clients transportation needs when prescribing WhMD • Work with insurance industry to fund WC-19 and other enhancements for transit safe WhMD Table 19 provides a Checklist for Operators to examine compliance. Table 19. Checklist for operators. Compliance Status Elements/Items Paratransit Yes No Partial Not Applicable Fixed route Yes No Partial Not Applicable Comments Transportable WhMDs 30” x 48”, turning radius up to 36” Transportable WhMDs oversized 30” x 54”, turning radius over 36” Lift platform size 30” x 48” Lift platform size 30” x 54” Lift payload 600 lbs. Lift payload 800 lbs. plus Ramp slope1:4 (not recommended) Ramp slope 1:6 Securement 20 g: Forward facing Securement 3 g Rear facing Securement large vehicle : Rear facing; Side facing (To be considered) Occupant restraint, 3 belt Single Seats Double Seats Bench Seats Flip seats Seat for obese Fare payment cash fare box (-cantilevered) Touch card fare payment Touch less card Fare payment Eligibility policy