Advisory Committee Minutes

November 13-14, 2013

Committee Meeting Minutes:

Summary Minutes (approved Jan 09, 2014)
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee – 1st Meeting
November 13 and 14, 2013
Washington, DC

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

On behalf of the Access Board, Mr. Christopher Hart opened the first meeting of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee at 10 a.m. in the Access Board’s conference room at 1331 F Street, N.W., room 800, Washington, DC. Mr. Hart welcomed the committee members, alternates, and members of the public and then introduced the Chair of the committee, Mr. Billy Altom. Committee members and others in attendance introduced themselves (see attachment A for attendance). Mr. David Capozzi provided an overview of Access Board programs and services and also welcomed the committee.

Ms. Marsha Mazz reviewed why the Board formed the advisory committee; discussed the types of issues falling within the Board’s purview under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and described how the committee could best serve the Access Board’s needs.

Ms. Aromie Noe briefly reviewed the requirement that the Board develop a regulatory assessment to accompany a future proposed rule using the advisory committee’s recommendations. Ms. Noe explained that the committee could help with the regulatory assessment by providing, where possible, cost and benefit data with their recommendations. Ms. Lisa Fairhall then reviewed the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The committee reviewed its draft operating procedures and voted to make several minor changes. They lifted the limitation in Section 4 restricting when an organization, not on the committee, can petition for membership. In an unrelated matter, Mr. Paul Beatty pointed out that in accordance with a Presidential Memorandum no federally registered lobbyist could participate in the work of the committee. However, he indicated that such individuals are not prohibited from attending meetings and providing comment during public commit periods. Following lunch, the committee approved the operating procedures (copy at www.access-board.gov/rvaac).

In accordance with Section 4 of the operating procedures, the committee accepted applications from six organizations seeking committee membership. Mr. Beatty explained that successful applicants, approved by three quarters of the committee members, will have their recommendation for appointment sent to the Access Board Chair for approval. Applicants were asked to describe how their interests are not reflected in the current committee make-up. The applicants were:

1. American Public Transportation Association
2. Hearing Loss Association of America
3. New Jersey Transit
4. MTA
5. Q’Straint
6. Siemens

After a committee discussion on the applications, staff circulated and collected a written ballot. Results were announced the following day after consultation with the Access Board Chair.

Following the balloting, Mr. Altom invited public comment. No commenters came forward.

Next, the committee established the following three meeting dates and times

• January 9 and 10, 2014 (first day 10 to 5, second day 9 to 3)
• April 10 and 11, 2014
• September 11 and 12, 2014

All meetings will be held at 1331 F Street, NW, Room 800, Washington, DC, 20004.

The committee then recessed for the day at 5:15 p.m.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Mr. Altom opened the second day of the meeting at 9:15 a.m. He then announced that at least three quarters of the committee membership had recommended three additional committee members and that they had been approved by the Chair of the Access Board. The new members: Hearing Loss Association of America, New Jersey Transit, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York were asked to take their seats at the table.

Ms. Fairhall briefly reviewed two provisions of the ADA statute which address intercity bi-level dinning cars and number of wheelchair spaces in coach cars. Ms. Melissa Anderson followed by providing an overview of the Access Board’s current rail vehicle accessibility guidelines.

Following Ms. Anderson’s presentation, Mr. Altom invited everyone on the committee, including members and alternates, to list their issues related to rail access and the current guidelines. Mr. Beatty requested that the committee focus on new construction issues, noting that the committee can also make recommendations for altered and remanufactured vehicles, time permitting. This activity took several hours and continued after lunch. Mr. Altom invited members of the public to add their issues to the list.

The committee decided that the issues list would be refined by Access Board staff and then sent out for committee review and comment. The goal is to create a refined issues list that can be used at the next meeting (January 9 and 10, 2014) by the committee to establish priorities for areas to be addressed in their recommendations to the Access Board. New issues can be added to the list by committee members. See Attachment B for the draft issues list.

The next meeting will be held January 9 and 10, 2014, in the Access Board’s conference room. The first day of the meeting will start at 10 a.m. and run to 5 p.m., and the second day will start at 9 a.m. and run to 3 p.m.

The committee adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Attachment A
U.S. Access Board Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
Attendance:
November 13 and 14, 2013

Members Present

1. Alstom Transportation - Jon Holbrook
2. American Council of the Blind - Melanie Brunson (day 1) and Terry Pacheco
3. (Amtrak) National Railroad Passenger Corporation - Joseph Slaughter
4. Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living - Billy Altom (Committee Chair)
5. Bombardier Transportation - André Gagné, ing.
6. California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail - Stanton Hunter
7. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access - Edward Steinfield and Jordana Maisel
8. Community Transportation Association of America - Robert Carlson
9. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund - Marilyn Golden
10. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) - Linda Martin* and Calvin Gibson*
11. Hearing Access Program - Janice Schacter Lintz
12. International Centre for Accessible Transportation - Uwe Rutenberg
13. Maryland Transit Administration- Erich Kolig (day 1) and David Hughson (day 2)
14. Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation - Justin R. Vonashek and Francis Mascarenhas
15. National Association of the Deaf- Andrew Phillips
16. National Association of Railroad Passengers - Ross Capon and Ken Briers
17. National Council on Independent Living - Cliff Perez
18. National Disability Rights Network - Dennis Cannon and Kenneth Shiotani
19. Parsons Brinckerhoff - Jackson Xue
20. RailPlan International – Jonathan Michel
21. Ricon Corporation - Stanton D. Saucier
22. South West Transit Association - Crystal Lyons (day 1)
23. Talgo, Inc. - Joshua Coran
24. United Spinal Association - James Weisman

Organizations added November 14th

25. Hearing Loss Association of America – Lisa Hamlin
26. New Jersey Transit – Ed Hoff
27. Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York – Michael Wetherall and Frank Maldari

Access Board

Christopher S. Hart, Board Member and liaison to the advisory committee
Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer
Rosemarie Bunales, Executive Secretary
Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist and Designated Federal Officer to the Advisory Committee
David M. Capozzi, Executive Director
Lisa Fairhall, Deputy General Counsel
Marsha K. Mazz, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services
Aromie Noe, Regulatory Analysis
Scott Windley, Accessibility Specialist

Other

Thomas Fodor, U.S. Department of Justice
Sid Goldstein, Transit Access Report
Paul Grether, SW Ohio Reg. Transit Auth.
Hal Hiemstra, United Streetcar/Ball Janik (day 1)
Pierre Holloman, City of Alexandria, VA (day 1)
Charles Joseph, American Public Transportation Association
Kevin Kesler, Federal Railroad Administration (day 1)
David Knight, U.S. Department of Justice
Marshall Lucier, Q’Straint (day 1)
Glenn Millis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Naomi Milton, U.S. Department of Justice
David Nelson, Amtrak
Robert Reuter, Access Systems (day 2)
Melissa Shurland, Federal Railroad Administration
Gurmit Singh, Siemens
John Stolz, Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Long Island Rail Road (day 2)
Gary Talbot, Amtrak

Attachment B
U.S. Access Board Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
Refined Issues List – New Vehicles – For all Subparts

General Issues

1. Consider the designs and recommendations resulting from work done by FRA under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA)
2. Identify best practices and alternative designs used in other countries
3. Determine how best to address accessibility in various types of bi-level cars
4. Gain a better understanding of legal and structural constraints

a. How do FRA regulations impact rail vehicle design
b. How do various types of vehicles differ in terms of structural constraints

5. Population to be served by accessibility features

a. Consider the needs of people using differing types of mobility device, seniors, and individuals who are obese
b. Consider adjusting current clearance and space requirements to accommodate contemporary wheeled mobility device sizes

6. Consider applying existing accessibility standards to features not specifically addressed in the current standards
7. Avoid redundant regulatory requirements (e.g., FRA and FTA).

Communications

1. Real-time messages (audible or visible)

a. Dual mode (audible and visible) messaging
b. Examine what factors should be used to determine equivalency of audible and visible messages
c. Explore tri-mode communication

2. Audible messages

a. Clarity of announcements
b. Assistive listening

i. Provide assistive listening (induction loops) throughout the train in bathrooms, meal cars, bedrooms and in bi-level rail cars
ii. Evaluate technical feasibility of induction loops on rail cars

3. Signage

a. Legibility of signs, e.g., font, case, style, and location

i. Address variable message signs

b. Scoping for certain types of signs e.g. location, number, etc.
c. When and how to provide non-visual formats
d. Visibility and frequency of station name signs by persons seated on-board in wheelchair space and those standing

4. New Technologies

a. Examine the potential for providing messages on hand-held devices such as smartphones – tri-mode communication
b. Examine how to address onboard route mapping, trainvision, and other real-time communication systems

5. Emergency Notification

a. Use of bed shakers and visible door knocks for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
b. Notification of persons with vision impairments
c. Back-up power to service emergency notification devices
d. Visual emergency alerts (flashing fire alarms and such) in all parts of the rail cars – compartments, main area, restrooms, etc.

6. Other communications issue

a. How to address the information needs of riders with cognitive disabilities
b. How to make messages accessible when they are exterior to the vehicle and are not station-based
c. How to provide access to information where tour-type (docent) service is provided in inaccessible locations, e.g., on the upper level of a car without vertical access
d. How to make stop request device in vestibules accessible
e. Examine potential overlaps with FTA and FRA requirements, e.g., conductor call button
f. Use of detectable warnings at exit stairs

i. Characteristics of detectable warnings in these locations

Lighting

1. Lighting in circulation areas, restrooms, sleeping compartments, and in any other areas
2. Task lighting and on-demand passenger controls

Boarding/Alighting

1. Use of devices on-vehicle versus platform-based boarding devices

a. When is permanent versus temporary installation appropriate
b. Back-up methods for mechanical lifts
c. Impact on dwell time / service levels

2. Platforms

a. How best to address the use of bus and light rail boarding devices on shared platforms
b. Definition of level boarding (+/- 5/8”) for light/heavy & intercity long trains at level platforms
c. Evaluate different car types and implications for level boarding

3. Wheelchair lifts

a. Possibly increase lifting capacity– 800 lbs. minimum
b. How best to address extreme super-elevations
c. Lift platform barrier height
d. Self-operable lifts

4. Ramps

a. Rethink the ramp slope and railing requirements
b. On-board storage of ramps

5. Bridgeplates

a. Barriers and crowding conditions

i. Is space requirement similar to bus ramps/lifts?

b. Examine how bridgeplates interact with detectable warnings on the platform
c. Consider alternatives for near level boarding , e.g., low floor vehicles and bridge plates

6. Light rail

a. Examine implications of 60-70% low floor vs 100% low floor vehicles

7. Gaps

a. Examine the potential for gap filler devices on vehicles or platforms
b. Examine European pop-out steps

8. Doors and doorways

a. Minimum width of doorway and each leaf
b. Handrails to assist with boarding and alighting
c. How to provide accessible entry to each boarding and alighting area

i. Examine the potential for bi-level access from the station

d. How to identify which doors open on interior & exterior of cars when not all doors may open
e. Audible and visible alerts prior to door closing

Onboard Circulation

1. Features of the circulation path

a. Characteristics of circulation paths, including walking surfaces, protruding objects, maneuvering clearances within vestibules, changes in level, thresholds, and other onboard circulation features
b. Doors

i. How best to make doors and flexible connections between cars accessible
ii. Address operation of sliding doors, consider power doors and locks

c. Aisle width in each type of car
d. Stanchion and handhold criteria for rapid transit and light rail
e. Consideration of an on-board lift to access bi-level cars, especially dome or viewing cars

2. Spaces within the train

a. Consider hardware solutions to ensure the availability of accessible features when they are used to store luggage; as additional standing space, etc.
b. Access to and within special cars, e.g., observation cars, dining cars, lounge cars

3. Escape and Egress

a. Operation of emergency window controls
b. Onboard evacuation chairs, etc.

Wheelchair Space and Other Seating

1. Scoping

a. Number of wheelchair spaces according to vehicle type
b. Examine the possibility of requiring readily removable seats to provide additional spaces for people using mobility devices
c. Number and location of priority seating

2. Wheelchair Space Design

a. Maneuvering space to access wheelchair spaces
b. Minimum size of wheelchair space

i. Consider sizes in PRIIA, i.e., 32” X 59”
ii. Consider whether minimum spaces should vary according to vehicle type

c. Amenities and controls within wheelchair spaces equivalent to those provided people in inaccessible seating, e.g., tray tables, cell charging outlets, lighting, movies, etc.
d. Availability of windows adjacent to wheelchair spaces

3. Specific features associated with wheelchair seating

a. Knee and toe clearance under tables
b. Define minimum table size

4. Consider the need for and characteristics of wheelchair securement devices

5. Other types of accessible seating

a. Transfer seats

i. Need tray tables and ability to seat in the direction of travel

b. Seating to accommodate service animals

i. Minimum space needed, number, and location

c. Larger and stronger seats for passengers who are larger and heavier

Rest Rooms

1. Consider alternate designs in existing accessibility standards and in use in other countries
2. Accommodate dependent and independent transfers
3. Examine PRIIA, CAL train, and Acela restroom designs vs. existing standards

Sleeping Compartments

1. Scoping for sleeping rooms for persons with communications needs
2. Ensure that controls and amenities are accessible

a. Controls within reach

i. Light controls reachable from the bed
ii. Outlet locations
iii. Redundant accessible controls where controls are inaccessible

b. Accessible solid surface tables with knee and toe space beneath
c. Define minimum table size
d. Visual doorbells/knockers so that people who are deaf or hard of hearing can lock their doors and be alerted when someone needs to enter

3. Bed heights that permit transfer from a wheelchair
4. Minimum space requirements

a. With and without bed deployed
b. Turning space
c. Egress and emergency operation of doors

5. Evaluate bathroom design, including showers, when located within the compartment
6. Space for service animals
7. Access to other sleeping car amenities outside of the sleeping compartment

Dining

1. Accessible tables with knee and toe space
2. Accessible service counters
3. Accessible self-service, e.g., vending machines, condiments, coffee, etc.
4. Consider recommendations for access to bi-level dining

Other

1. Connections to service animal relief areas
2. How best to address automated rail systems
3. How to provide incentives for innovative universal design practices
4. Recognize that not all access concerns have an architectural solution
5. Need car design information, such as drawings, to assess feasibility of ideas
6. Consider operational equivalencies
7. Standards for websites and smart phones

January 9-10, 2014

Committee Meeting Minutes:

Summary Minutes — 2nd Meeting (approved April 10, 2014)\

U.S. Access Board
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
January 9 – 10, 2014
Washington, DC

Thursday, January 9, 2014

With a quorum present, on behalf of the Access Board, Mr. Christopher Hart opened the second meeting of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee at 10 a.m. in the Access Board’s conference room at 1331 F Street NW, room 800, Washington, DC. Mr. Hart welcomed the committee members, alternates, and members of the public. Committee members and others in attendance introduced themselves (see attachment A for attendance). The committee then approved (certified as accurate) the November 2013 meeting summary minutes.

The committee then reviewed the issues list. New issue “all announcements in American Sign Language as well as text” was added, and the last issue on the list “standards for websites and smart phones” was removed (as the issue does not fall under the Access Board’s Americans with Disabilities Act jurisdiction). Throughout the remainder of the two-day meeting some other issues were added, edited, or moved to appear under different headings (see attachment B for changes made).

Next, the five educational presentations listed below were made to the committee (copies of the presentation PowerPoints are available at the committee’s electronic docket: www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=ATBCB-2013-0006). A discussion time followed each presentation.

1. Federal Railroad Administration Presentation (Ms. Melissa Shurland) – Summary of PRIIA1 Next Generation Equipment Committee Accessibility Accommodations and Other Areas for Consideration
2. Bombardier Transportation Presentation (Mr. André Gagné) – Toilet Module Footprint
3. International Centre for Accessible Transportation Presentation (Mr. Uwe Rutenberg) – Integrated Solutions to Accessible Coach Car Elements
4. Talgo Presentation (Mr. Joshua Coran) – A Brief Description of the Three Distinct “Bi-Level” Passenger Car Designs Currently in Use on the US “General System”
5. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Presentation (Mr. Glenn Millis) – 7000 Series Rail Car Accessibility Features

A presentation from the Federal Railroad Administration, titled Rail 101, was rescheduled for the April 2014 meeting, to allow further preparation work. A lunch break occurred between the second and third presentations.

After the last presentation, the committee began a discussion on how to resolve the rail access issues identified in attachment B. Mr. Paul Beatty presented an idea to the committee for consideration that involved setting up three subcommittees (communications, circulation, and designated spaces).

Toward the end of the day a time of public comment was allowed. Mr. Bob Reuter addressed the committee.

The committee then recessed for the day around 5:15 p.m.

1 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA)

Friday, January 10, 2014

The second day of the January meeting started around 9:15 a.m. After further discussion on the subcommittee idea (but no action taken), the committee decided to review the issues list. During the review, the committee classified the issues as to whether an issue was communication related or spatial in nature, and what vehicle mode (e.g., light rail) it applied to. These determinations were added to the issue headings in attachment B, and some issues were moved to fall under more appropriate headings.

After lunch, around 1:30 p.m., the committee discussed whether conference calls could be scheduled before the April 2014 meeting on specific issues. The committee agreed to hold the following conference calls on fixed and variable signage and interior vertical circulation between car levels.

Signage - February 6, 13, and 27, 2014 (1 pm to 3 pm, eastern time). The February 6 call would provide callers with an understanding of what the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG) would require, if ADAAG was applied to signs on rail vehicles. Also, review the variable messaging signage requirements in International Code Council/American Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI) standard A117.1 , and review the signage requirements in the current rail guidelines. This call was not scheduled for discussing the problems in applying ADAAG or ICC/ANSI, but to acquaint callers with the provisions in these two documents as well as the current rail guideline signage provisions. The February 13 call was tasked with evaluating whether ADAAG and ICC/ANSI signage provisions could be applied to rail vehicles, and if any modifications are necessary. The February 27 call would be a continuation of the February 13 call, if needed.

Interior Vertical Circulation - March 5, 20, 26, 2014 (1 p.m. to 3 p.m., east coast time). The three calls seek to answer the question - when is an elevator/lift needed to connect levels in a rail vehicle? The agenda for the calls will be developed by the Access Board.

Note: Any recommendations developed from the six calls are not binding on the full committee and will be presented to the full committee for evaluation at the next committee meeting (April 10 and 11, 2014).

The call-in numbers and related material are to be posted on the Access Board’s rail advisory committee website (www.access-board.gov/rvaac) prior to the calls.

At 2:30 p.m. a time of public comment was allowed, with Mr. Michael Chisena, Mr. Gary Talbot, Mr. Paul Grether, and Mr. John Day addressing the committee.

The next meeting will be held April 10 and 11, 2014, in the Access Board’s conference room. The first day of the meeting will start at 10 a.m. and run to 5 p.m., and the second day will start at 9 a.m. and run to 3 p.m.

The committee adjourned at 3 p.m.

Note: A Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) system was used in the meeting to provide an accommodation to persons with hearing loss and persons who are deaf. The CART output was streamed in real-time and available to the public on the internet during the meeting. The unedited text of the CART output is available at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=ATBCB-2013-0006 in the section titled “Supporting Documents” (may have to click “view all”) in four documents starting with the words “2nd Meeting - Unedited CART Text”. These documents provide the details of the two-day meeting.

Attachment A

U.S. Access Board\

Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee – Meeting Attendance
January 9 and 10, 2014

Members Present:

1. Alstom Transportation - Jon Holbrook
2. American Council of the Blind - Terry Pacheco
3. (Amtrak) National Railroad Passenger Corporation - Joseph Slaughter
4. Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living - Billy Altom (Committee Chair)
5. Bombardier Transportation - André Gagné, ing.
6. California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail - Stanton Hunter (day 1) and James Lucas (day 1 and 2)
7. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access - Edward Steinfeld
8. Community Transportation Association of America - Robert Carlson
9. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund - Marilyn Golden
10. Federal Railroad Administration - Linda Martin and Calvin Gibson
11. Hearing Access Program - Janice Schacter Lintz (day 2)
12. Hearing Loss Association of America – David Gayle
13. International Centre for Accessible Transportation - Uwe Rutenberg
14. Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation - Justin R. Vonashek
15. Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York – Michael Wetherell (day 1) and Frank Maldari
16. National Association of the Deaf – Debra Patkin (day 1) and Andrew Phillips (day 2)
17. National Association of Railroad Passengers - Ross Capon
18. National Council on Independent Living - Cliff Perez (day 2)
19. National Disability Rights Network - Dennis Cannon (day 1) and Kenneth Shiotani
20. New Jersey Transit – Ed Hoff
21. Parsons Brinckerhoff - Jackson Xue
22. RailPlan International – Terry Soebee (day 1)
23. Ricon Corporation - Stanton D. Saucier
24. South West Transit Association - Crystal Lyons
25. Talgo, Inc. - Joshua Coran
26. United Spinal Association - James Weisman

Members Absent:

1. Maryland Transit Administration

Access Board Present:

• Christopher S. Hart, Board Member and liaison to the advisory committee
• Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer
• Rosemarie Bunales, Executive Secretary
• Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist and Designated Federal Officer to the Advisory Committee
• David M. Capozzi, Executive Director
• Lisa Fairhall, Deputy General Counsel
• Marsha K. Mazz, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services (day 2)
• Aromie Noe, Regulatory Analysis (day 2)
• Jim Pecht, Accessibility Specialist

Others Present:

• Pamela Boswell, American Public Transportation Association
• Michael Chisena, MPC Visionary Concepts
• John Day, Federal Transit Administration
• Thomas Fodor, U.S. Department of Justice
• Sid Goldstein, Transit Access Report
• Paul Grether, South West Ohio Regional Transit Authority
• Harold Weisinger, Federal Railroad Administration
• Pierre Holloman, City of Alexandria, VA (day 2)
• Charles Joseph, American Public Transportation Association
• Monica Lundon, Amtrak
• Glenn Millis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Naomi Milton, U.S. Department of Justice
• David Nelson, Amtrak
• Bob Reuter, Access Systems
• Melissa Shurland, Federal Railroad Administration
• Gary Talbot, Amtrak
• Louis Woolner, Virginia Railway Express

Attachment B

U.S. Access Board\

Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee – Issues List
New Vehicles – For all Subparts (January 10, 2014)
January 9 and 10, 2014
Washington, DC

General Considerations Issues

1. Consider the designs and recommendations resulting from work done by FRA under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA)
2. Identify best practices and alternative designs used in other countries
3. Gain a better understanding of legal and structural constraints
   1. How do FRA regulations impact rail vehicle design
   2. How do various types of vehicles differ in terms of structural constraints
4. Population to be served by accessibility features
   1. Consider the needs of people using differing types of mobility device, seniors, and individuals who are obese
   2. Consider adjusting current clearance and space requirements to accommodate contemporary wheeled mobility device sizes
5. Consider applying existing accessibility standards (e.g., ADAAG) to features not specifically addressed in the current standards
6. Avoid redundant regulatory requirements (e.g., FRA and FTA).
7. How to provide incentives for innovative universal design practices. (from Other)

Communications (Communications, applies to all modes)

1. Real-time messages (audible or visible)
   1. Dual mode (audible and visible) messaging
   2. Examine what factors should be used to determine equivalency of audible and visible messages
   3. Explore tri-mode communication
   4. Announcements and screens over doors, typical in Europe and Asia
   5. Variable message signs legibility (e.g., font, case, style, and location)
2. Audible messages
   1. Clarity of announcements
   2. Assistive listening
      1. Provide assistive listening (induction loops) throughout the train in bathrooms, meal cars, bedrooms and in bi-level rail cars
      2. Evaluate technical feasibility of induction loops on rail cars
   3. all announcements in American Sign Language as well as text
3. Fixed Signage
   1. Legibility of signs (e.g., font, case, style, and location)
   2. Scoping for certain types of signs (e.g., location, number, etc.)
      1. Menu information accessible
   3. When and how to provide non-visual formats (e.g., tactile)
   4. Visibility and frequency of station name signs by persons seated on-board in wheelchair space and those standing
4. New Technologies
   1. Examine the potential for providing messages on hand-held devices such as smartphones – tri-mode communication
   2. Examine how to address onboard route mapping, trainvision, and other real-time communication systems
5. Emergency Notification
   1. Use of bed shakers and visible door knocks for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
   2. Notification of persons with vision impairments
   3. Back-up power to service emergency notification devices
   4. Visual emergency alerts (flashing fire alarms and such) in all parts of the rail cars – compartments, main area, restrooms, etc.
6. Lighting
   1. Lighting in circulation areas, restrooms, sleeping compartments, step wells, and in any other areas
   2. Task lighting and on-demand passenger controls
7. Other communications issue
   1. How to address the information needs of riders with cognitive disabilities
   2. How to make messages accessible when they are exterior to the vehicle and are not station-based
   3. How to provide access to information where tour-type (docent) service is provided in inaccessible locations, e.g., on the upper level of a car without vertical access
   4. How to make stop request device in vestibules accessible
   5. Examine potential overlaps with FTA and FRA requirements, e.g., conductor and crew call button
   6. Use of detectable warnings at exit stairs
      1. Characteristics of detectable warnings in these locations
   7. How to identify which doors open on interior & exterior of cars when not all doors may open (from Boarding/Alighting)
   8. Audible and visible alerts prior to door closing (from Boarding/Alighting)
   9. Scoping for sleeping rooms for persons with communications needs (from Other)

Lighting (moved to Communications, since committee considered lighting a communication issue for all modes)

1. Lighting in circulation areas, restrooms, sleeping compartments, and in any other areas
2. Task lighting and on-demand passenger controls

Boarding/Alighting (Spatial, applies to all modes)

1. Use of devices on-vehicle versus platform-based boarding devices
   1. When is permanent versus temporary installation appropriate
   2. Back-up methods for mechanical lifts
   3. Impact on dwell time / service levels
2. Platforms
   1. How best to address the use of bus and light rail boarding devices on shared platforms
   2. Definition of level boarding (+/- 5/8”) for light/heavy & intercity long trains at level platforms
   3. Evaluate different car types and implications for level boarding
   4. Commuter railroad shares ROW with freight
3. Wheelchair lifts
   1. Possibly increase lifting capacity– 800 lbs. minimum
   2. How best to address extreme super-elevations
   3. Lift platform barrier height
   4. Self-operable lifts
4. Ramps
   1. Rethink the ramp slope and railing requirements
   2. On-board storage of ramps
5. Bridgeplates
   1. Barriers and crowding conditions
      1. Is space requirement similar to bus ramps/lifts?
   2. Examine how bridgeplates interact with detectable warnings on the platform
   3. Consider alternatives for near level boarding , e.g., low floor vehicles and bridge plates
6. Light rail
   1. Examine implications of 60-70% low floor vs 100% low floor vehicles
7. Gaps
   1. Examine the potential for gap filler devices on vehicles or platforms
   2. Examine European pop-out steps
8. Doors and doorways
   1. Minimum width of doorway and each leaf
   2. Handrails to assist with boarding and alighting
   3. How to provide accessible entry to each boarding and alighting area
      1. Examine the potential for bi-level access from the station
   4. How to identify which doors open on interior & exterior of cars when not all doors may open (moved to communications)
   5. Audible and visible alerts prior to door closing (moved to communications)
9. Other
   1. Full high-platform level boarding should be the highest priority and most preferred method of boarding on all rail modes, whether light rail, rapid rail, intercity rail, and/or commuter rail. When level boarding is not required or possible, boarding should be, as often as possible, by ramp or bridge-plate as the primary 100% reliable and quick means for boarding, and clearly making mechanical lifts a back-up alternative when possible. Where mechanical lifts are needed, they should be car-borne, not station-based.
   2. Full level boarding, all doors and all cars should be provided. When full level boarding is not required, add ramps, bridgeplates, etc.

Onboard Circulation (Spatial, applies to all modes)

1. Features of the circulation path
   1. Characteristics of circulation paths, including walking surfaces, protruding objects, maneuvering clearances within vestibules, changes in level, thresholds, and other onboard circulation features
   2. Doors
      1. How best to make doors and flexible connections between cars accessible
      2. Address operation of sliding doors, consider power doors and locks
   3. Aisle width in each type of car
   4. Stanchion and handhold criteria
   5. Consideration of an on-board lift to access bi-level cars, especially dome or viewing cars
2. Spaces within the train
   1. Consider hardware solutions to ensure the availability of accessible features when they are used to store luggage; as additional standing space, etc.
   2. Access to and within special cars, e.g., observation cars, dining cars, lounge cars
   3. Determine how best to address accessibility in various types of bi-level cars.
3. Escape and Egress
   1. Operation of emergency egress devices window controls
   2. Features to support use of emergency evacuation devices and storage for such devices Onboard evacuation chairs, etc.
4. Other
   1. Connections to service animal relief areas (from Other)

Wheelchair Space and Other Seating (Spatial, applies to all modes, except baggage area for intercity)

1. Scoping
   1. Number of wheelchair spaces according to vehicle type
   2. Examine the possibility of requiring readily removable seats to provide additional spaces for people using mobility devices
   3. Number and location of priority seating
2. Wheelchair Space Design
   1. Maneuvering space to access wheelchair spaces
   2. Minimum size of wheelchair space
      1. Consider sizes in PRIIA, i.e., 32” X 59”
      2. Consider whether minimum spaces should vary according to vehicle type
   3. Amenities and controls within wheelchair spaces equivalent to those provided people in inaccessible seating, e.g., tray tables, cell charging outlets, lighting, operable windows, movies, etc.
   4. Availability of windows adjacent to wheelchair spaces
   5. Space for baggage on inter-city
3. Specific features associated with wheelchair seating
   1. Knee and toe clearance under tables
   2. Define minimum table size
4. Consider the need for and characteristics of wheelchair securement devices
5. Other types of accessible seating
   1. Transfer seats
      1. Need tray tables and ability to seat in the direction of travel
   2. Seating to accommodate service animals
      1. Minimum space needed, number, and location
   3. Larger and stronger seats for passengers who are larger and heavier

Rest Rooms (Spatial, applies to all modes with rest rooms)

1. Consider alternate designs in existing accessibility standards and in use in other countries
2. Accommodate dependent and independent transfers
3. Examine PRIIA, CAL train, and Acela restroom designs vs. existing standards
4. Turning radius in toilet rooms (some think California does this well)
5. Consider sidewall alongside toilet

Sleeping Compartments (Spatial, applies to Intercity)

1. Scoping for sleeping rooms for persons with communications needs (moved to Communications)
2. Ensure that controls and amenities are accessible
   1. Controls within reach
      1. Light controls reachable from the bed and seating
      2. Outlet locations
      3. Redundant accessible controls where controls are inaccessible
   2. Accessible solid surface tables with knee and toe space beneath
   3. Define minimum table size
   4. Visual doorbells/knockers so that people who are deaf or hard of hearing can lock their doors and be alerted when someone needs to enter
3. Bed heights that permit transfer from a wheelchair
4. Minimum space requirements
   1. With and without bed deployed
   2. Turning space
   3. Egress and emergency operation of doors
   4. Space to access features, clear space, location, etc.
5. Evaluate bathroom design, including showers, when located within the compartment
6. Space for service animals
7. Access to other sleeping car amenities outside of the sleeping compartment
8. Power doors and locks on sliding doors

Dining (Spatial, applies to all modes with dining)

1. Accessible tables with knee and toe space
2. Accessible service counters
3. Accessible self-service, e.g., vending machines, condiments, coffee, etc.
4. Consider recommendations for access to bi-level dining

Other

1. Connections to service animal relief areas (moved to Onboard Circulation)
2. How best to address (crewless) automated rail systems
3. How to provide incentives for innovative universal design practices (moved to General)
4. Recognize that not all access concerns have an architectural solution
5. Need car design information, such as drawings, to assess feasibility of ideas
6. Consider operational equivalencies
7. Standards for websites and smart phones (deleted)
8. Consideration of accessibility on bi-level cars where level change is not possible
9. Consideration of international solutions

April 10-11, 2014

Committee Meeting Minutes:

Summary Minutes — 3rd Meeting (approved May 20, 2014)\

U.S. Access Board
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
April 10 and 11, 2014
Washington, DC

Thursday, April 10, 2014

With a quorum present, Mr. Christopher Hart, Access Board member, opened the third meeting of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee (RVAAC) at 10 a.m. in the Access Board’s conference room at 1331 F Street, N.W., room 800, Washington, DC. Mr. Hart welcomed committee members, alternates, and members of the public, and asked those in attendance to introduce themselves. The attendance record is in the Attachment to these minutes. He then turned the meeting over to the Committee Chair, Mr. Billy Altom. The committee approved the January 2014 meeting summary minutes as submitted.¹

The committee welcomed Mr. Francis Mascarenhas who replaced Mr. Justin Vonashek as the committee Metra representative, and Mr. Larry Scott who replaced Mr. Ross Capon as the committee representative for the National Association of Railroad Passengers. For Amtrak, it was reported that Mr. Gary Talbot is the new alternate representative and Ms. June Kailes is the new alternate for the Disabilities Rights Educational Defense Fund. During the meeting, Mr. Michael Wetherell informed the committee that he could no longer serve on the committee and that Mr. Frank Maldari is now the representative from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York and Mr. Gricelda Cespedes would be his alternate.

Mr. Altom provided a brief report on a recommendation by Access Board staff to rename and expand the scope of the existing two subcommittees (Signage and Interior Vertical Circulation) and add two new subcommittees.² This recommendation was approved by the committee with only one dissenting vote.

The new subcommittees are:

• Boarding and Alighting
• Communications (formerly Signage)
• On-board Circulation and Seating (formerly Interior Vertical Circulation)
• Rooms and Spaces

The following five educational presentations were made to the committee. A discussion time followed each presentation.

• Federal Railroad Administration (Mr. Harold Weisinger) – Rail 101
• American Public Transportation Association Streetcar Subcommittee (Mr. Paul Grether) – Maximizing Accessibility for Modern Streetcar Systems
• Ricon Corporation (Mr. Stanton Saucier) – An Overview of Vehicle Access Systems
• Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (Dr. Edward Steinfeld) – Research: Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility for Transportation Applications
• Amtrak (Mr. Gary Talbot and Mr. Christopher Kattola) – Gap Mitigation/Elimination Program (included two video clips).

Ms. Terry Pacheco, who had been chair of the Signage subcommittee will chair the Communications subcommittee. Mr. Blair Slaughter was elected chair of the On-board Circulation and Seating Subcommittee. Election of chair for the Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee was scheduled for the first subcommittee meeting to be held on April 11, 2014. The committee agreed to postpone election of the chair of the Rooms and Spaces subcommittee which was not scheduled to meet during the two-day full committee meeting.

Access Board staff recommended the committee establish two additional meeting dates between October 2014 and June 2015. The committee agreed to add meetings and directed staff to handle the date selection following the meeting and to poll the committee members regarding their availability.

The committee agreed to schedule conference calls for the four subcommittees between the April and September 2014 full committee meetings. Times for subcommittee meetings will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (eastern time zone). The dates will, to the extent possible, be on Thursdays. The committee authorized the Access Board staff to modify the day when necessary to accommodate logistical and administrative needs. The call dates were to be sent to the committee as soon as possible.

The following five educational presentations were made to the committee. A discussion time followed each presentation.

During the presentations, members observed that the American Public Transportation Association would be holding a Rail Conference in Montreal, Canada, June 18/19, and also during this conference a workshop, titled “Improving Rail Transit Safety at Platform/Train and Platform/Guideway Interfaces” would take place. Mr. Uwe Rutenberg reported that the workshop was sponsored by the Transit Cooperative Research Program of the Transportation Research Board.

A lunch break occurred between the second and third presentations. After the last presentation, the floor was opened for public comment. With no one desiring to comment, the committee adjourned around 3:40 p.m after which subcommittee meetings took place for the balance of the meeting through April 11.

The Communications subcommittee meeting #3 took place between 4 and 5 p.m.

¹ The draft minutes were circulated to the committee in an email dated February 12, 2014.
² The recommendation was made in an email to the committee dated February 27, 2014.

Friday, January 10, 2014

The On-board Circulation and Seating subcommittee meeting #4 took place from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

After a short lunch, the Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee meeting #1 was convened from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Among its activities, Ms. Marilyn Golden was elected as subcommittee chair.

Note 1: All material (including PowerPoints) presented during committee meetings or subcommittee meetings have been archived in the RVAAC electronic docket referenced below.

Note 2: A Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) system was used in the committee meeting (and subcommittee meetings) to provide an accommodation to persons with hearing loss and persons who are deaf. The CART output was streamed in real-time and available to the public on the internet. The unedited text of the CART output is available in the RVAAC electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=ATBCB-2013-0006 in the section titled “Supporting Documents” (may have to click “view all” and sort by title) for the document titled “3rd Meeting - Unedited CART Text - 2014 Apr 10”. This document provides the details of the committee meeting. CART text from the three subcommittee meetings is filed separately in “Supporting Documents” by subcommittee name, meeting number, and date.

Note 3: During the Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee meeting on April 11, the subcommittee added “Visual signal for entry doors” to the RVAAC issues list under the heading “other communication issues”. No other change was made to the issues list as contained in Attachment B of the approved January 2014 Summary Meeting Minutes located in the RVAAC electronic docket referenced above and on the RVAAC website (www.access-board.gov/rvaac). The list is not reproduced in these summary minutes.

Attachment

U.S. Access Board\

Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee – Meeting Attendance
April 10, 2014

Members Present: 27

1. Alstom Transportation – Jon Holbrook
2. American Council of the Blind – Terry Pacheco
3. (Amtrak) National Railroad Passenger Corporation – Joseph Slaughter & Gary Talbot
4. Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living – Billy Altom (Committee Chair)
5. Bombardier Transportation – André Gagné, ing.
6. California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail – Thomas Peacock
7. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access – Edward Steinfeld
8. Community Transportation Association of America – Robert Carlson
9. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund – Marilyn Golden
10. Federal Railroad Administration – Linda Martin & Calvin Gibson
11. Hearing Access Program – Janice Schacter Lintz
12. Hearing Loss Association of America – Lisa Hamlin
13. International Centre for Accessible Transportation – Uwe Rutenberg
14. Maryland Transit Administration – David Hughson
15. Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation – Francis Mascarenhas
16. Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York – Michael Wetherell, Frank Maldari, & Gricelda Cespedes
17. National Association of the Deaf – Andrew Phillips
18. National Association of Railroad Passengers – Larry Scott
19. National Council on Independent Living – Cliff Perez
20. National Disability Rights Network – Dennis Cannon & Kenneth Shiotani
21. New Jersey Transit – Ed Hoff
22. Parsons Brinckerhoff – Francis Banko
23. RailPlan International – Terry Soebee & Jonathan Michel
24. Ricon Corporation – Stanton Saucier
25. South West Transit Association – Crystal Lyons
26. Talgo, Inc. – Joshua Coran
27. United Spinal Association – James Weisman

Members Absent: 0

Access Board Present:

• Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer
• Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist and Designated Federal Officer to the Advisory Committee
• David M. Capozzi, Executive Director
• Lisa Fairhall, Deputy General Counsel
• Christopher S. Hart, Board Member and liaison to the advisory committee
• Marsha K. Mazz, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services
• Aromie Noe, Policy Analyst
• Jim Pecht, Accessibility Specialist

Others Present:

• Dick Cogswell, Federal Railroad Adminstration
• John Day, Federal Transit Administration
• Rhonda Drews, Federal Transit Administration
• Kyle Giannaula, Amtrak
• Sid Goldstein, Transit Access Report
• Paul Grether, South West Ohio Regional Transit Authority
• Pierre Holloman, City of Alexandria, VA
• Kimberly Jackson, University of Kansas
• Christopher Kattola, RLE International
• Tom Kennedy, RLE International
• Robert Kokx, RLE International
• Mike Martino, Association of American Railroads
• Glenn Millis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• David Nelson, Amtrak
• Bob Reuter, Access Systems
• Melissa Shurland, Federal Railroad Administration
• Gurmit Singh, Siemens
• Keith Wartzman
• Harold Weisinger, Federal Railroad Administration
• Louis Woolner, Virginia Railway Express

Note: Attendance of subcommittee meetings was not recorded.

September 11-12, 2014

Committee Meeting Minutes:

Summary Minutes — 4th Meeting (approved October 20, 2014)\

U.S. Access Board
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
(and subcommittee)
September 11 and 12, 2014
Washington, DC

Thursday, September 11, 2014 — Subcommittee Meeting

The two days started around 10:00 a.m. with the Communications Subcommittee holding its eighth meeting, chaired by Ms. Terry Pacheco. The subcommittee met in the Access Board’s conference room at 1331 F Street, N.W., room 800, Washington, DC. This meeting ended around 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 11, 2014 — Advisory Committee Meeting

With a quorum present, the fourth meeting of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee (RVAAC) started around 1:00 p.m. in the Access Board’s conference room (see attachment for committee meeting attendance). After introduction of committee members, alternates, and members of the public, Mr. Billy Altom addressed the following administrative matters.

First, by a May 9 email, a draft of the April 2014 summary meeting minutes was sent to the committee for review and approval. Because minutes are required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act to be certified as complete within 90 days of the April committee meeting, the May 9 email asked for approval of the draft April minutes. A majority of committee members responded with all approving the draft April summary minutes without change. Therefore, on May 20, the April summary meeting minutes were considered approved and added to the RVAAC website and the RVAAC electronic docket. Because the next meeting date is more than 90 days away, it was indicated that the committee would be following the same procedures to review and approve the September summary minutes.

Second, at the April 2014 committee meeting, the Access Board asked the committee to select two additional meeting dates, as it appeared the advisory committee would not complete its work by September 12. In April, the committee directed the Access Board to send out dates from which the committee members would make selections. By an email of April 15, date options were presented to the committee. On April 29, with most committee organizations submitting votes on the dates, the voting was closed. The vote results were that February 26 and 27 were selected as the first additional meeting date in 2015, with April 23 and 24 selected as the second additional meeting date. It was recognized that no one two-day period matched everyone’s schedule, but the selections represent the best available outcomes.

Third, due to a recent change in the guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, federally registered lobbyists may serve on this advisory committee under some conditions. Mr. Altom noted that if committee members had any questions about this change, they should contact Ms. Lisa Fairhall who was present at the meeting.

Mr. Altom formed an editorial working group of subcommittee chairs to start drafting the committee’s final report to the Access Board. It was pointed out that this working group would not establish any position for the full committee and that ultimately, any report developed by the working group must be reviewed and approved by the full committee. Mr. Altom asked if any committee member was a skilled report writer and desired to participate in the working group.

Mr. Altom noted that although a time of public comment was scheduled for today and tomorrow, the public was reminded that comments may also be submitted to the RVAAC electronic docket at regulations.gov. He reported that since the last meeting in April, comments have been submitted by Mr. Michael Chisena and, under Ms. Emily Bacque’s name, the Bay Area Rapid Transit.

Mr. Altom indicated he was modifying the agenda and would skip the brief reports from subcommittee chairs and moved into hearing the draft proposal from the Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee, chaired by Ms. Marilyn Golden. The committee and members of the public provided comment on the proposal to enable the subcommittee to further refine its recommendations.

Next, Mr. Dennis Cannon, chair of the Rooms and Spaces Subcommittee, presented his subcommittee’s proposal to the full committee. It was noted that the RVAAC website version of its proposal was different from what was provided to the Board staff, but the committee and members of the public still provided comment to enable the subcommittee to further refine its recommendations. The correct version of the subcommittee’s draft proposal has been placed in the RVAAC electronic docket (see Note 1 below).

Around 4:15 p.m., a time of public comment was allowed. With no one desiring to comment, the committee held a moment of silence in memory of the September 11 disaster and then, after brief discussions, ended the day’s meeting around 4:30 p.m.

Friday, September 12, 2014 — Advisory Meeting (continued)

With a quorum present, the second day of the September meeting started around 9:30 a.m. The committee heard the draft proposal from the On-board Circulation and Seating Subcommittee, chaired by Mr. Joseph (Blair) Slaughter. The committee and members of the public provided comment to enable the subcommittee to further refine its recommendations. Around 10:40 a.m. the discussion stopped to allow Ms. Mary Lamielle to provide public comment on matters not directly related to the subcommittee. After a break, and excluding a later lunch break, the committee continued its discussions until around 2:45 p.m. when it allowed a time of public comment. Mr. Bob Reuter and Mr. Don Mebius provided comment.

At the end of the day, it was confirmed that the regular Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m., subcommittee conference calls would continue from October to January, but some adjustments may be made due to holidays and other attendance issues.

The fourth RVAAC meeting adjourned around 3:00 p.m. The next RVAAC meeting is scheduled for February 26 and 27, 2015, in the Access Board’s conference room.

Note 1 – Draft Proposals. Although the subcommittee draft proposals were reviewed by the full committee, no formal actions were taken by the committee regarding the recommendations. The draft proposals can be found in the RVAAC electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=ATBCB-2013-0006 in the section titled Supporting Documents (may have to click “view all” and sort by title) under 4th Meeting – Draft Proposal – (subcommittee name). The material for the subcommittee meeting on September 11 is filed separately in Supporting Documents under Communications Subcommittee Meeting #8.

Note 2 – CART. A Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) system was used in the committee meeting (and subcommittee meeting) to provide an accommodation to persons with hearing loss and persons who are deaf. The CART output was streamed in real-time and available to the public on the internet. The unedited text of the CART output is available in the RVAAC electronic docket referenced above in the section titled Supporting Documents under 4th Meeting - Unedited CART Text - 2014 Sept (11 or 12). These documents provide the details of the committee meeting. The CART text from the September 11 subcommittee meeting is filed separately in Supporting Documents under Communications Subcommittee Meeting #8.

Attachment

RVAAC Meeting Attendence

U.S. Access Board\

Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
September 11 and 12, 2014
Washington, DC

Members Present: 21

1. Alstom Transportation – Jon Holbrook
2. American Council of the Blind – Terry Pacheco
3. (Amtrak) National Railroad Passenger Corporation – Joseph Slaughter & Gary Talbot
4. Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living – Billy Altom (Committee Chair)
5. Bombardier Transportation – André Gagné, ing.
6. California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail – James Lucas
7. Community Transportation Association of America – Robert Carlson
8. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund – Marilyn Golden
9. Federal Railroad Administration – Linda Martin & Calvin Gibson
10. Hearing Access Program – Janice Schacter Lintz
11. Hearing Loss Association of America – David Gayle (day 1)
12. International Centre for Accessible Transportation – Uwe Rutenberg
13. Maryland Transit Administration – David Hughson
14. Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation – David Martinez & Francis Mascarenhas
15. Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York – Michael Wetherell, Frank Maldari, & Gricelda Cespedes
16. National Council on Independent Living – Cliff Perez
17. National Disability Rights Network – Dennis Cannon & Kenneth Shiotani
18. New Jersey Transit – Ed Hoff
19. RailPlan International – Terry Soebee (day 1) & Jonathan Michel
20. South West Transit Association – Crystal Lyons
21. United Spinal Association – James Weisman

Members Absent: 6

1. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access – Edward Steinfeld
2. National Association of Railroad Passengers – Larry Scott
3. National Association of the Deaf (at subcommittee meeting)
4. Parsons Brinckerhoff – Francis Banko
5. Ricon Corporation – Stanton Saucier
6. Talgo, Inc. – Joshua Coran

Access Board Present:

• Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer
• Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist and Designated Federal Officer to the Advisory Committee
• Rose Marie Bunales, Executive Secretary
• David M. Capozzi, Executive Director (day 2)
• Lisa Fairhall, Deputy General Counsel
• Christopher S. Hart, Board Member and liaison to the advisory committee
• Marsha K. Mazz, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services
• Jim Pecht, Accessibility Specialist

Others Present:

• Emily Bacque, Bay Area Rapid Transit (day 2)
• Dan Bisers, CH2M Hill
• Michael Chisena
• Bob Franklin, Bay Area Rapid Transit
• Keith Frazier (day 1)
• Thomas Fodor (day 1)
• Steven Fuhrman (day 1)
• Sid Goldstein, Transit Access Report
• Ben Holland, Bay Area Rapid Transit
• Jennifer Hu, Texas Central High-Speed Railway
• Lynn Jacquet, Bay Area Rapid Transit (day 1)
• Larry Kelterborn, Interfleet
• Mary Lamielle, National Center for Environmental Health Strategies (day 2)
• Bill Lay (day 1)
• Ron Lee (day 2)
• Mike Martino, Association of American Railroads (day 2)
• Don Mebius, LTK
• Glenn Millis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• David Nelson, Amtrak (day 1)
• Bob Reuter, Access Systems
• Melissa Shurland, Federal Railroad Administration
• Paul Smith (day 1)
• Louis Woolner, Virginia Railway Express

Note: Attendance for the September 11 subcommittee meeting was not recorded.

February 26-27, 2015

Committee Meeting Minutes:

Summary Minutes — 5th Meeting (approved April 23, 2015)\

U.S. Access Board
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
February 26 and 27, 2015
Washington, DC

Thursday, February 26, 2015

The two days started around 10:00 a.m. With a quorum present, the fifth meeting of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee (RVAAC) started in the Access Board’s conference room (see attachment for committee meeting attendance). After introduction of committee members, alternates, and members of the public, Mr. Billy Altom addressed the following administrative matters.

First, by an email of September 29, 2014, a draft of the September 2014 summary meeting minutes was sent to the committee for review and approval. Because minutes are required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act to be certified as complete within 90 days of the September committee meeting, the September 29 email asked for approval of the draft minutes. A majority of committee members responded with all approving the draft minutes. On October 20, the September summary meeting minutes were considered approved, with some minor editorial corrections, and added to the RVAAC website and the RVAAC electronic docket. Because the next meeting date is less than 90 days away, Mr. Altom indicated the RVAAC would wait until the April 2015 meeting to approve the minutes from the fifth meeting.

Second, two RVAAC member organizations designated new representatives. The Ricon Corporation is now represented by Mr. Dante DeLeo and the National Association of Railroad Passengers is now represented by Mr. Bob Reuter.

Third, since the September 2014 meeting, the subcommittees have had 12 conference calls. Agendas and materials used in the calls have been placed in the RVAAC electronic docket (see link below).

Fourth, since the last meeting, one public comment was added to the electronic docket from Rebecca Williford, Disability Rights Advocates, and four from Michael Chisena, MPC Visionary Concepts.

Following administrative matters, Mr. Joseph (Blair) Slaughter, Chair of the On-board Circulation and Seating Subcommittee, led a committee review of the report from his subcommittee. This review, excluding a lunch break, continued to about 3 p.m. when public comment on the report was solicited. No one desired to provide comment.

Next, Ms. Marilyn Golden, Chair of the Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee, led a committee review of the report from her subcommittee. At about 4:30 p.m., the committee stopped its work to allow public comment on the report. Mr. Michael Chisena provided comment. Following a short committee discussion about gap fillers, Mr. Chisena again provided comment.

The meeting day ended around 5 p.m.

Friday, February 27, 2015 — Advisory Meeting (continued)

With a quorum present, the second day of the February meeting started around 9:30 a.m. After introduction of committee members, alternates, and members of the public, Mr. Stanton Hunter and Ms. Monica London made a presentation on the Amtrak/Caltrans Onboard Information System which currently is under development. Time for questions and answers followed.

Next, Ms. Terry Pacheco, Chair of the Communications Subcommittee, led a committee review of the draft report from her subcommittee. This review continued until about 1 p.m., excluding a short lunch break, when public comment on the report was solicited. No one desired to comment.

Following this, Mr. Dennis Cannon, Chair of the Rooms and Spaces Subcommittee, led a committee review of the report from his subcommittee.

Around 2:40 p.m., Ms. Marsha Mazz provided a general overview of next steps for the committee. These included allowing time for the subcommittee chairs to modify their reports based on the discussions that occurred during the committee reviews, and providing the opportunity for member comments to be submitted on the updated reports which would form the focus of the next meeting in April.

Following Ms. Mazz’s statements, public comment on the Rooms and Spaces report and any other matters pertaining the RVAAC work was solicited. Mr. Chisena provided comment.

The fifth RVAAC meeting adjourned around 3:00 p.m. The next RVAAC meeting is scheduled for April 23 and 24, 2015, in the Access Board’s conference room.

**Note 1 – Reports. **The subcommittee reports can be found in the RVAAC electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=ATBCB-2013-0006 in the section titled Supporting Documents (may have to click “view all” and sort by title) under 5th Meeting – Report – (subcommittee name). The Communications report is a draft, as it had not been approved by the subcommittee.

Note 2 – CART. A Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) system was used in the committee meeting to provide an accommodation to persons with hearing loss and persons who are deaf. The CART output was streamed in real-time and available to the public on the internet. The unedited text of the CART output is available in the RVAAC electronic docket referenced above in the section titled Supporting Documents under 5th Meeting - Unedited CART Text - 2015 Feb (26 or 27). These documents provide the details of the committee meeting.

Attachment

RVAAC Meeting Attendance

U.S. Access Board\

Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
February 26 and 27, 2015

Members Present: 27

1. Alstom Transportation - Jon Holbrook
2. American Council of the Blind - Terry Pacheco
3. (Amtrak) National Railroad Passenger Corporation - Joseph Slaughter
4. Assoc. of Programs for Rural Independent Living - Billy Altom (Committee Chair)
5. Bombardier Transportation - André Gagné
6. California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail – Stanton Hunter
7. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access – Edward Steinfeld (day 1)
8. Community Transportation Association of America - Robert Carlson
9. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund - Marilyn Golden
10. Federal Railroad Administration - Linda Martin (day 1) & Calvin Gibson
11. Hearing Access Program - Janice Schacter Lintz (day 2)
12. Hearing Loss Association of America – Lise Hamlin
13. International Centre for Accessible Transportation - Uwe Rutenberg
14. Maryland Transit Administration – David Hughson (day 1)
15. Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation – David Martinez & Francis Mascarenhas
16. Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York – Frank Maldari & Gricelda Cespedes
17. National Association of Railroad Passengers – Mr. Bob Reuter
18. National Association of the Deaf – Andrew Phillips
19. National Council on Independent Living - Cliff Perez
20. National Disability Rights Network - Dennis Cannon & Kenneth Shiotani
21. New Jersey Transit – Ed Hoff
22. Parsons Brinckerhoff – Francis Banko
23. RailPlan International – Terry Soesbee & Jonathan Michel
24. Ricon Corporation – Dante DeLeo
25. South West Transit Association - Crystal Lyons
26. Talgo, Inc. – Joshua Coran
27. United Spinal Association – Carol Tyson

Members Absent: 0

Access Board Present:

• Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer
• Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist and Designated Federal Officer to the Advisory Committee
• Rose Marie Bunales, Executive Secretary
• David M. Capozzi, Executive Director
• Lisa Fairhall, Deputy General Counsel
• Christopher S. Hart, Board Member and liaison to the advisory committee
• Marsha K. Mazz, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services
• Jim Pecht, Accessibility Specialist

Others Present:

• Emily Bacque, Bay Area Rapid Transit
• Michael Chisena
• Cody Christensen (day 1)
• Bob Franklin, Bay Area Rapid Transit
• Pierre Holloman, City of Alexandria, VA (day 2)
• Jennifer Hu, Texas Central High-Speed Railway
• Monica London, AMTRAK (day 2)
• Carol Peredo Lopez, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Don Mebius, LTK Engineering
• Glenn Millis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• David Nelson, Amtrak
• Tom Peacock, Interfleet (day 2)
• Brenden Policarpio, Jacobs Engineering
• Melissa Shurland, Federal Railroad Administration
• Corinna Sigsbury
• Paul Smith (day 1)
• Momoko Tamaoki, Caltrans

April 23-24, 2015

Committee Meeting Minutes:

Summary Minutes – 6th Meeting (approved June 4, 2015)
US Access Board
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
April 23 and 24, 2015
Washington, DC

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The two days started around 10:00 a.m. With a quorum present, the sixth meeting of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee (RVAAC) began in the Access Board’s conference room (see attachment for committee meeting attendance). After introduction of committee members, alternates, and members of the public, Mr. Billy Altom addressed the following two administrative matters.

First, he led the committee in approving the summary minutes for the fifth meeting (February 26-27, 2015). Second, he announced, since the last meeting, four public comments were added to the electronic docket. All were from Mr. Michael Chisena, who added his fourth comment just prior to the meeting.

Following administrative matters, the committee reviewed the written comments submitted on the first draft of its final report to the Access Board which had been sent to the committee by email on April 21.

Around 1 p.m., after a one hour break for lunch, with a quorum still present, the committee continued its review of the comments.

Around 4:30 p.m., the committee stopped its work to allow a time of public comment. Mr. Chisena provided comment. No others desired to comment. After the comment time ended, Ms. Marsha Mazz reminded the committee that committee members could submit minority reports on decisions they disagreed with. After about 15 more minutes of work, the meeting day ended around 5 p.m.

Friday, April 24, 2015 – Advisory Meeting (continued)

The committee opened the second day, with a quorum present, around 9:30 a.m. After introduction of committee members, alternates, and members of the public, the committee allowed Mr. Glenn Millis to provide comment. Following this comment time, and a later one hour break for lunch, the committee worked until about 2:40 p.m. when the committee discussed next steps. It was decided that Access Board staff would review what was accomplished and make a recommendation to the RVAAC Chair on how to proceed. At the end of the meeting, a time of public comment was allowed and Mr. Chisena provided comment. No others desired to comment. The sixth RVAAC meeting adjourned around 3:00 p.m. Currently, no other meetings have been scheduled although a seventh meeting is expected. The committee still plans to give its report to the US Access Board the morning of July 29, 2015.

Note 1 – Reports. The first draft of the final report along with comments and chapter 5 (Communications) reviewed by the committee, as well as other material used in the April 23-24 meeting, can be found in the RVAAC electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=ATBCB-2013-0006 in the section titled Supporting Documents (may have to click “view all” and sort by title) under 6th Meeting.

Note 2 – CART. A Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) system was used in the committee meeting to provide an accommodation to persons with hearing loss and persons who are deaf. The CART output was streamed in real-time and available to the public on the internet. The unedited text of the CART output is available in the RVAAC electronic docket referenced above in the section titled Supporting Documents under 6th Meeting - Unedited CART Text - 2015 April (23 or 24). These documents provide the details of the committee meeting.

Attachment
RVAAC Meeting Attendance

Attachment

RVAAC Meeting Attendance

U.S. Access Board\

Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
April 23 and 24, 2015
Washington, DC

Members Present: 26

1. Alstom Transportation - Jon Holbrook
2. American Council of the Blind - Terry Pacheco
3. (Amtrak) National Railroad Passenger Corporation - Joseph Slaughter
4. Assoc. of Programs for Rural Independent Living - Billy Altom (Committee Chair)
5. California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail – Thomas Peacock
6. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access – Edward Steinfeld (day 2)
7. Community Transportation Association of America - Robert Carlson
8. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund - Marilyn Golden
9. Federal Railroad Administration - Linda Martin & Calvin Gibson
10. Hearing Access Program - Janice Schacter Lintz (day 2)
11. Hearing Loss Association of America – Lise Hamlin
12. International Centre for Accessible Transportation - Uwe Rutenberg
13. Maryland Transit Administration – David Hughson
14. Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation – David Martinez
15. Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York – Frank Maldari
16. National Association of Railroad Passengers – Bob Reuter
17. National Association of the Deaf – Andrew Phillips (day 2)
18. National Council on Independent Living - Cliff Perez
19. National Disability Rights Network - Dennis Cannon & Kenneth Shiotani
20. New Jersey Transit – Ed Hoff
21. Parsons Brinckerhoff – Francis Banko
22. RailPlan International – Jonathan Michel
23. Ricon Corporation – Dante DeLeo
24. South West Transit Association - Crystal Lyons
25. Talgo, Inc. – Joshua Coran
26. United Spinal Association – Carol Tyson

Members Absent: 1

27.Bombardier Transportation

Access Board Present:

• Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer
  Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist and Designated Federal Officer to the Advisory Committee
  Lisa Fairhall, Deputy General Counsel
  Christopher S. Hart, Board Member and liaison to the advisory committee
  Marsha K. Mazz, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services
  Jim Pecht, Accessibility Specialist

Others Present:

• Geoffry Ames (day 1)
  Michael Chisena, MPC Visionary Concepts
  Sid Goldstein, Transit Access Report
  Jennifer Hu, Texas Central High-Speed Railway
  Richard Lidbom, Amtrak Customer Advisory Committee (day 1)
  Carol Lopez (day 1)
  Don Mebius, LTK Engineering Services
  Glenn Millis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
  David Nelson, Amtrak
  Douglas Pemberton (day 1)
  Melissa Shurland, Federal Railroad Administration
  Corinna Sigsbury
  Paul Smith (day 1)
  Mark Treadwell

June 4-5, 2015

Committee Meeting Minutes:

Summary Minutes – 7th Meeting (approved July 27, 2015)

U.S. Access Board
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
June 4 and 5, 2015
Washington, DC

Thursday, June 4, 2015

The seventh meeting of the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee (RVAAC) began around 10:00 a.m. in the Access Board’s conference room (see attachment for committee meeting attendance). After introduction of committee members, alternates, and members of the public, and with a quorum present, the committee addressed the following administrative matters.

• Approved the summary minutes for the sixth meeting (April 23-24, 2015).
• Noted that five public comments were added to the electronic docket (three more were added during the two day meeting).
• Noted that Mr. Andrew Phillips was no longer representing the National Association of the Deaf and that Ms. Debra Patkin was now fulfilling that role.
• Decided that the subcommittee chairs would assist Mr. Billy Altom in the July 29 presentation to the Access Board which would highlight the committee’s report recommendations.

Following administrative matters, the committee reviewed the written comments its members had submitted on the second draft of its final report to the Access Board which had been sent to the committee by email on June 2. By the end of the day, the committee completed its work on Chapters 1, and 3 to 5. A time of public comment was allowed, and Mr. Chisena provided comment. No others desired to comment.

The meeting ended around 6 p.m.

Friday, June 5, 2015 – Advisory Meeting (continued)

The committee opened the second day, with a quorum present, around 9:30 a.m. After introduction of committee members, alternates, and members of the public, the committee starting reviewing chapter 2 (Communications) of the draft report and the comments its members had submitted.

Around 1:30 p.m., the committee stopped its work to allow a time for public comment with Mr. Chisena providing comment. No others desired to comment.

Following the public comment time, the committee continued to work on Chapter 2 which was completed around 3 p.m. Thereupon, the committee added a between car barrier requirement to Chapter 3 and discussed the List of Considerations for the Department of Transportation which was provided to the committee by email on June 2 and updated on June 3.

It was noted that the subcommittee chairs will make editorial cleanups to the draft report, and a third draft will then be sent out for an email committee approval vote, thereby finalizing the report. At that time, the committee will be giving a deadline date for submitting minority reports and the public will be informed when the public comment option in the electronic docket will be closed.

The seventh RVAAC meeting adjourned around 3:30 p.m. No other meetings have been scheduled, except for the presentation it will make to the Access Board on July 29, 2015 (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.).

Note 1 – Reports. The second draft of the final report along with the added comments reviewed by the committee, as well as other material used in the June 4-5 meeting, can be found in the RVAAC electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=ATBCB-2013-0006 in the section titled Supporting Documents (may have to click “view all” and sort by title) under 7th Meeting.

Note 2 – CART. A Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) system was used in the committee meeting to provide an accommodation to persons with hearing loss and persons who are deaf. The CART output was streamed in real-time and available to the public on the internet. The unedited text of the CART output is available in the RVAAC electronic docket referenced above in the section titled Supporting Documents under 7th Meeting - Unedited CART Text - 2015 June (4 or 5). These documents provide the details of the committee meeting.

Attachment

RVAAC Meeting Attendance

U.S. Access Board
Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee
June 4 and 5, 2015
Washington, DC

Members Present: 24

1. Alstom Transportation – Jon Holbrook
2. American Council of the Blind – Terry Pacheco
3. (Amtrak) National Railroad Passenger Corporation – Joseph Slaughter & Gary Talbot (day 1)
4. Assoc. of Programs for Rural Independent Living – Billy Altom (Committee Chair)
5. Bombardier Transportation – André Gagné
6. California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail – Stanton Hunter (day 2)
7. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund – Marilyn Golden
8. Federal Railroad Administration – Calvin Gibson (day 2)
9. Hearing Access & Innovations – Janice Schacter Lintz
10. Hearing Loss Association of America – Lise Hamlin
11. International Centre for Accessible Transportation – Uwe Rutenberg
12. Maryland Transit Administration – David Hughson
13. Metra & Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation – David Martinez
14. Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York – Frank Maldari
15. National Association of Railroad Passengers – Bob Reuter
16. National Association of the Deaf – Debra Paklin (day 2)
17. National Council on Independent Living – Cliff Perez
18. National Disability Rights Network – Dennis Cannon
19. New Jersey Transit – Ed Hoff
20. Parsons Brinckerhoff – Francis Banko
21. RailPlan International – Terry S (day 1) & Jonathan Michel
22. Ricon Corporation – Dante DeLeo
23. Talgo, Inc. – Joshua Coran
24. United Spinal Association – Carol Tyson (day 2)

Members Absent: 3

1. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
2. Community Transportation Association of America
3. South West Transit Association

Access Board Present:

• Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer
• Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist and Designated Federal Officer to the Advisory Committee
• Lisa Fairhall, Deputy General Counsel (day 1)Christopher S. Hart, Board Member and liaison to the advisory committee
• Marsha K. Mazz, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services
• Jim Pecht, Accessibility Specialist

Others Present:

• Emily Bacque, BART (day 1)
• Michael Chisena, MPC Visionary Concepts Bob Franklin, BART (day 1)
• Jennifer Hu, Texas Central High-Speed Railway (day 2)
• Mike Martino (day 1)
• Don Mebius, LTK Engineering Services
• Glenn Millis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• David Nelson, Amtrak
• Melissa Shurland, Federal Railroad Administration
• Paul Smith (day 2)
• John Stolz (day 1)
• Mark Treadwell (day 2)