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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

U.S. Access Board Forms Advisory Committee on Rail Vehicle Accessibility

The U.S. Access Board has organized an advisory committee as part of its review and update of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles. The Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee will develop consensus recommendations for the Board's use in updating sections of the guidelines that cover vehicles of fixed guideway systems, including rapid, light, commuter, intercity, and high speed rail. These guidelines, which were originally published in 1991, serve as the basis for standards that apply to new or remanufactured vehicles required to be accessible under the ADA. The committee's work will not extend to portions of the guidelines that address buses and vans, which the Board is already in the process of updating.

Members of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee include:
Alstom Transportation
American Council of the Blind
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
Bombardier Transportation
California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
Community Transportation Association of America
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Federal Railroad Administration (ex officio member)
Hearing Access Program
International Centre for Accessible Transportation
Maryland Transit Administration
Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation
National Association of the Deaf
National Association of Railroad Passengers
National Council on Independent Living
National Disability Rights Network
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
Parsons Brinckerhoff
RailPlan International
Ricon Corporation
South West Transit Association
Talgo, Inc.
United Spinal Association
The committee is structured to represent a balanced cross section of stakeholders and interested parties, including rail vehicle manufacturers, transit providers, disability groups, and others, as indicated in a published notice. Members were selected based on responses to a request for nominations the Board issued in February. The Board regrets not being able to accommodate all requests for committee membership. Committee membership is voluntary, and members are not reimbursed for their services.

The committee’s work will be conducted in accordance with regulations governing Federal advisory committees. All committee meetings will be open to the public and will provide opportunities for any interested parties to provide information or offer comment. In addition, non-members may have the opportunity to participate in the work of any subcommittees formed by the committee. Details on the committee’s first meeting will be released at a later date.

For further information, visit the Board's website or contact Paul Beatty at rvaac@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0012 (voice), or (202) 272-0072 (TTY). Those interested in this rulemaking and the work of the committee can sign up to receive further updates.

For the U.S. Access Board homepage: CLICK HERE

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