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6C H A P T E R 2 The objectives of this project were to examine the use of WhMds on paratransit vehicles and buses, and to iden- tify poten tial improvements that could increase the safety and level of service of public transportation agencies that transport larger and heavier occupied wheelchairs and scooters on paratransit vehicles and buses. The existing regulations originated in 1991 just after the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA) was enacted and were primar- ily focused on users of manual wheelchairs. There have been many developments in the past 20 years that war- rant re-examination of the use of mobility devices to be responsive to changes in technology and population demo- graphics. The two key issues that are underpinnings of the project are: 1. the increasing size and age of the overall population and 2. the increasing size and weight of wheeled/powered mobil- ity devices. These issues have significant impact on transit operations and governing regulations. The project was divided into two phases. Phase 1 involved the investigation of the factors that impact the access and safety of WhMds on paratransit vehicles and buses. Phase 2 involved the identification and development of new design concepts and other changes that would contribute to improve- ments in the safe transport of people using WhMDs. These safety improvements impact both passengers and operators and, also, produce improvements in safety, reduction of risk, and increased level of service for transit agencies. Objectives
